Actuator¶

This chapter describes the Actuator interface, which represents an actuator and its related end-stage in a controller.

Routing¶

The most basic actuator routing is given in Basic actuator routing, which consists solely of a DemandInput input. The value of the connected signal is directly propagated to hardware to provide the actuator with a setpoint.

Basic actuator routing¶

Specific actuator implementations can deviate from this basis routing, e.g. with configurable scaling and rate limiter as shown in Complex actuator routing.

Complex actuator routing¶

In case of more complex routing the signal at the interface between hardware and software is always called Value.

Signals¶

Common signals that can be available for actuators are described in the following table:

Name	Data type	R/W	Description
Value	actuator specific	R	Actuator value at the interface between software and hardware, if applicable.

The Actual signal is present for every sensor. The Value is present for sensors with more complex routing.

Inputs¶

The input present for all actuators is described the following table:

Name	Data type	Description
DemandInput	actuator specific	Actuator demand value at the start of the sensor routing.

Event¶

An actuator is also an event source and an event responder.

Power state machine¶

An actuator can have a Power state machine that allows for changing the power state of the actuator.