What does the term "scalability" mean in control systems?

Scalability in control systems refers to the design's capability to expand and handle increased complexity while maintaining its performance levels. This means that as additional components, sensors, or control strategies are integrated into the system, it should still function efficiently without significant degradation in performance or requiring a complete redesign. This quality is critical for systems that anticipate growth or changes in operational requirements over time, ensuring that they can evolve seamlessly.

The other choices represent different characteristics but do not encapsulate the essence of scalability. For instance, minimizing errors pertains more to the accuracy and precision of the control system rather than its ability to grow. Running multiple applications simultaneously might focus on multi-tasking capabilities rather than the inherent ability to scale up. Reducing power consumption addresses efficiency but does not directly relate to the system's growth or complexity management. Each of these aspects is valuable, but scalability specifically concerns the system's adaptability to increasing demands without sacrificing functionality.