Actuators and Output Devices

An output device is a unit that changes an electrical signal coming from the microcontroller into the physical parameter. It can generate or modify light, sound, force, pressure and other physical values that influence other devices nearby or the surrounding environment. Some output elements can be connected directly to the microcontroller's pins, and some require higher voltage or current, so they need an additional electronic circuit called the driver. Output devices can be divided into groups based on the physical phenomenon they control. Popular output devices include LEDs, displays, motors (actuators), speakers, and buzzers.