Automation

The article describes the basics of automatics and is intended for both novice players and those who want to refresh their knowledge.

Automatics in the game works a little differently than in real life. For example, the outputs of several sensors can be combined, because the logic "0" means no "1" on the sensor (in real electronics the logic "0" is the pull-up of the chip output to ground and the sensor/microchip outputs cannot be paralleled).

In this article I will change the states of the inputs with a timer sensor (most often with 2s interval active, 2s interval inactive) and the states of the inputs/outputs will be displayed with Ceiling light.

I did not use the game terms "green signal" and "red signal," because that is not quite right. Everyone who knows a little bit about electronics applies "Truth Tables" and the concepts of logical "1" and "0". Also for simplicity I will not write logical "0" and logical "1", but just 0 and 1.

If I have forgotten any of the typical schemes, please prompt me. The article will be supplemented.

Parallel connection
The screen shows several switches connected in parallel. There will be a 1 on the wire if at least one of the switches/sensors supplies a 1 (active signal).

NOT-gate
This element inverts the signal (changes 1 to 0 and vice versa 0 to 1) from the input to the opposite. For example, in the circuit with the Space scanner - the scanner will supply 1 at the beginning of rain and the doors need to be closed, i.e. supply them with 0.

Note one unpleasant feature of the operation: the lamp (and any other circuit element or construction) will change its state with a delay. The lamp input has already appeared 1, but the lamp has changed its state (started to shine) only on the next tick of the game. This is not critical for most circuits, but there are exceptions.

AND-gate, OR-gate, XOR-gate
The AND-gate will only supply 1 if there is a 1 on both of its inputs (fig.1).

An OR-gate will supply 1 if 1 is on any or all of its inputs (fig.2). Almost useless element since the same can be obtained simply by combining several sensors or outputs of other elements (fig.3).

The XOR-gate (fig.4) will supply 1 only if 1 is on one of its inputs. If both inputs have 1, the output will be 0. Similarly, if both inputs have 0.

Buffer gate, Filter gate
The buffer (fig.1) will supply 1 to the output, immediately after a 1 on the input, and will continue to supply 1, after a 0, for 2 seconds (on the gif). The delay varies from 0,1 to 200 sec.

The filter (fig.2) will supply 1 to the output only after a delay (2 sec on the gif) after 1 appears on the input, and will supply 0 immediately after 0 appears on the input. The delay varies from 0.1 to 200 sec.

Serial connection
To build complex circuits, gates can be connected in series. In fig.1, the output of the filter is connected to the buffer input. At the output of such a circuit, 1 will appear with the delay set by the filter and will last some time (set by the buffer) after 1 disappears from the circuit input.

If the maximum delay of 200 seconds set by the buffer is not enough, they can be connected in series (fig.2). The same applies to filters.

Memory toggle


The memory toggle (trigger) will supply a 1 to the output when it receives a 1 to the input.

Even a momentary signal (pulse) is enough for this. This state (1 on the output) will be maintained until the reset port (bottom on the screen) shows 1.

This element is used e.g. in mechanisms that need to set the range of operation. The screen shows an Ice-E fan (located on the door), the operation of which is allowed at high temperature and prohibited at low temperature (30 and 20°C in the example).

Automation Ribbon
A logic bus (automation ribbon) is used to transmit multiple signals over a single wire. It can save space and materials if you need to transmit signals from multiple sensors/outputs over a long distance or if you want to build a complex circuit. Only one element, the Pixel Pack, can work directly with the logic bus.

In order to combine several signals into a logic bus, there are Ribbon Writer. In the menu of each of them you need to select the number of wire in the logic bus, to which it will broadcast the signal. After that, in the Pixel Pack you need to select for each cell the number in the bus from which it will change its state.

The reverse operation - separation of signals from the logic bus into several common automation wires - is done by the Ribbon Reader. They also need to select the number of the required signal in the cable.

Writers and Readers do not have to be 4, there can be 3 or 2 or even 1. Moreover, there can be as many Writers as you want if it does not interfere with the logic of the work. The number of Readers is not limited by anything.



When you connect a normal wire to the logic bus (upper screen), the signal will be sent to the first wire of the logic bus.

The normal elements (AND, OR, NOT, sensors, switches, etc.) work with the logic bus in the same way as with the single wire (bottom screen).

At the output of the filter or buffer (see screen), a 1 will appear if it appears at the input of any bus wire.

The bit shift can be obtained with the writers by selecting port 2 in its menu.

To learn more about the Automation Ribbon you will help this topic.

Diode
The Writers can be used as a diode, i.e. it can pass 1 to one side. In the screenshot the left switch controls the left and center lamp, but not the right one. And vice versa.

The same thing, but cheaper, can be achieved with an OR-gate (suggested by Prince Mandor) if other elements in the circuit are not interfering (placing a 4x4 OR-gate can be more difficult than two 2x1).

Generators
It is possible to give (change) the signal from 1 to 0 cyclically with the timer sensor (fig.1). In its settings you can select the duration of 1 and 0. But it cannot be switched off either automatically or via the menu. Yes, you can interrupt the signal transfer further, using the AND-gate, but the sensor will continue to beep and flash nastily.

This is deprived by the scheme on discrete elements: Buffer, Filter, NOT-gate (fig.2). One of the elements (depending on where you take the signal) is set duration 0, the other 1. By feeding 1 from the sensor, the circuit can be stopped (fig.3), and its state (0 or 1) will depend on where to feed 1.

The generator (fig.4) is different in that it gives out 1 impulsely. This is not enough time to operate the mechanisms, but enough to switch the Memory toggle.

Single Pulse Generators
In some cases, instead of supplying a constant signal (1 or 0) from the sensor/circuit output, it is necessary to supply a short pulse (of a certain duration). For this purpose these 2 circuits are used (the 2nd is the same as the 3rd), the difference being that the first one supplies a pulse on the falling edge of the signal, and the second one on the rising edge.

At the moment when 1 appears at the input of the circuit, the output continues to be 0 and 1 will appear only after 0 appears at the input. This 1 will last as long as specified in the Buffer settings. Thus the circuit reacts with a pulse to a drop (going from 1 to 0) on its input.

You may notice that the circuit does react for a fraction of a second to the arrival of the 1. This happens because of imperfect game mechanics (described in more detail in NOT-gate). Normally this is not a problem, but this "glitch" is enough to switch the Memory toggle.

The second circuit works similarly, with the difference that it reacts to 1 on the input momentarily, while the output 1 will change to 0 after a given time.

The third circuit is similar to the second, but does not allow you to set the duration of the pulse.

Counters
This Signal Counter the 1's received at its input and displays them on its display. When it reaches the number set in its settings, it sends a signal to the output. This signal can be applied to the input of the next counter. Thus one counter counts up to 9, two counters count up to 99, etc.

To reset the number displayed, you need to signal its reset port (middle) or put the counter into extended operation mode. In this mode, it will supply a short pulse to the output and reset itself.

In the first screenshot the counter is used, counting up to 2 in extended mode. I use this inclusion if it is necessary to use the moment of dupe leaving the room and skip the moment of entering the room. The second screenshot shows the counter to 99, and the third shows the resource counter. The gas in the pipe divides into 2 portions, passes the gas sensor, which increases the meter reading, then the 2 portions of gas are combined and go on. Such a simple meter has errors (for example it will take any amount of gas as 1 conditional kilogram), but in practice it is enough.

Signal Distributor, Signal Selector
The Signal Selector serves to feed a signal from one of its inputs, to its single output. This can be signals from different sensors (as in fig.1) or outputs of other circuits and/or constructions. Which input is chosen for translation depends on the state of the 2 control inputs: 0 on both - the signal from the first input (sensor) is at the output; 1 and 0 - from the second input; 0 and 1 - from the third, 1 and 1 from the fourth.

The Signal Distributor acts vice versa - it supplies a signal from its input to one of the outputs, according to the state of the control inputs (fig.2).

Other elements


The germ sensor is needed to measure the amount of germs in gases and liquids. You don't need it in "No sweat" game mode.

Liquid Sensor - seems to be a necessary sensor, but is rarely used.

Duplicant Checkpoint - perfectly replaceable by regular doors, which in addition, do not require power.

Automated Notifier and Hammer can be used at will, to inform you of certain events.

Bridges do not prioritize like liquid or gas bridges, I only serve to run some wires over others without connection. Like all other types, logic bridges conduct heat. This should be taken into account and applied when building circuits.

Practical circuits
Fig.1 shows the connection of the duplicates sensor - the lamp will turn on as soon as the duplicate falls within its range (7 cells horizontally and 5 vertically). More accurately determine the position of the duplicate is possible with the help of the pressure plate. It will also help to understand the presence of an critter or any load on it.

Fig.2 shows the pump controlled by the gas sensor. Such a circuit is convenient to place at the bottom of the base to pump out the carbon dioxide. If carbon dioxide is steadily (for a long time) detected by the sensor, it means that a lot of carbon dioxide has accumulated below and it can be pumped out. If the sensor is connected directly to the pump, it will react to any cube of carbon dioxide falling down and the pump will start pumping everything in a row.

In fig.3, the gas sensor and pressure sensor are connected through an AND-gate. The pump will only start if it has the right gas AND its pressure is sufficient.

The generator shutdown with a smart battery is used to save fuel so that the generator does not run idle. Tremosensor pipe will prohibit AT operation if the water temperature falls below its setting (14°C): above - it works, below - it waits for the water to warm up. Otherwise, the AT can cool the water below 0°C and the pipe will break.

The operation of the AT and other ways to combat the temperature are discussed in this article.

The pump and the 2 hydrosensors connected to the memory toggle can be used to maintain the necessary amount of liquid in the tank (the problem is much easier, here is just an example).

A timer for a time interval longer than the buffer can give (200 sec.) is shown in the screen.

The time interval is not limited by anything and depends on the pipe length and the valve setting.

The screenshot shows a random number generator.

It is not a random number generator, because its sequence is predictable, but it is good for some applications.

This screenshot shows the drop down critter, on 2 different sensors: the pressure plate and the critter sensor.

The default sensor settings.

Some buildings, e.g. an Anti Entropy Thermo-Nullifier or a Planter box, do not have a shutdown port.

In this case the buildings can be disabled by placing it on the Mechanized Airlock.

The filter on the pipe element sensor is shown in fig.3. In the sensor settings the desired gas is selected and it will go into the right pipe. The disadvantage is serious - in case of voltage failure, all gas will go to the main pipe.

The filled pipe sensor detects if the pipe is clogged.

The sensor selects the desired gas.In normal mode, the gas goes by the bridge rule through the main pipe (left in fig.1), and only if the outgoing pipe is clogged, the gas will go to the right pipe, through the sensor. The sensor, through the NOT-gate, will turn off e.g. the electrolyzer (in the screenshot turns on the lamps).

The right screen shows the same, but in a more compact form.

The left screen shows the indicator which I have already applied as a thermometer, and the right one shows the power indicator:

Only a few of a wide variety of circuits are shown here. The practical application of the elements I have considered in all the circuits where automatics were involved. There won't be any big circuit at the end.

As a rule, 100500 sensors/gates indicates only excessive unnecessary overcomplication of the circuit, and not the skill of the author. After all, even rocket automatics can be built with just 1 NOT-gates and a few AND-gates: But there are exceptions: