1. Unit 2 Technology Systems
BTEC First Diploma in Information and Creative Technology

2. Learning aims
Understand how the components of technology systems work together.
Understand how data flows between internal components of a computer and is processed to provide information.
Understand different types of software.

3. Re-cap
What did we do last lesson?

4. Automated Systems
Automated system – a system that uses technology and control systems. It doesn’t usually require human intervention.
In addition to the traditional hardware devices associated with computer systems, different sectors use specialist devices to help improve the efficiency and productivity of their business.
Automated technology systems monitor and perform activities, e.g. central heating systems that regulate our environment and robots that explore the universe.

5. Automated systems Examples: Automated system What is it? Input devices
Output devices
Self-service checkout
Used in supermarkets to scan purchases and pay for shopping
Scales to weigh the goods before and after scanning
Scanner to read bar codes on shopping and loyalty card
Payment inputs form cards, coins or notes
Screen and speakers to explain how to use the checkout
Payment receipt printer and a device to give money as change
Production line
Hardware components such as robots and controlling software can be combined to form an automated system in a production line to make cars and other products
Optical sensors to locate product components.
Pressure sensors to feel product components
Controlling robots to manufacture components

6. Automated systems
Other devices used to capture and store data in a technology system include:
Magnetic strip readers, used to read cards, e.g. loyalty
OCR – Optical character readers to scan a document into text
OMR – Optical mark readers to input survey and multiple choice forms.

7. Automated systems
RFID – Radio frequency identification systems (RFID) known as smart labels, are used like bar codes on products for automatic identification and tracking.
It is a wireless non-contact system that uses radio waves to transfer data from a tag attached to an object or person.
The technology uses radio-frequency electromagnetic fields to transfer data and is mainly used for the purposes of automatic identification and tracking.
Some smart labels require no battery, as they are powered by the electromagnetic fields used to read them.

8. Automated systems https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_ZmkzIebr0 Activity
In small groups, investigate automated systems
Choose 1 system and explain:
What the system is
What the input and output devices
The advantages and disadvantages of the system
Find a video of your system in action
Create a presentation of your system and feedback to the other groups

9. Check! In groups, answer the following:
Give three types of storage device used in technology systems.
Explain what an automated technology system is.
What is RFID?

10. Activity
Key terms bingo!