Remote Laboratory Operation: Web Technology Successes
24 Jun 2001-
TL;DR: The way computers are used to make physical measurements with sensors that send signals to data-acquisition boards and an instrument-based software (virtual instrument) reads the experimental data is discussed, which has helped create measurement systems that are dramatically more robust and efficient than traditional ones.
Abstract: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has awarded Fort Valley State University (FVSU) a three-year project to develop an undergraduate minor program in computer based measurement and instrumentation. The primary objective of this program is to enhance the existing mathematics, engineering technology, and computer science programs at FVSU. This program will help students gain a solid foundation in computer science, engineering, physics, and modern experimental sciences through hands-on laboratory-based approaches with state-of-the-art technologies. A modern computerized instrumentation lab is currently being developed at the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science of FVSU to support the curriculum of the minor program. We are planning to equip the lab with various experimental setups that could be used to perform scientific experiments for lab science courses offered at FVSU. These setups will be fully controlled, monitored and operated by computer systems using virtual instrumentation technology. They will also feature on-line capabilities that would allow users to operate them remotely through the Internet. The setups are: (1) a motor-generator with a variable speed motor and a variable resistive load and (2) a variable-speed water pump, flow and level system. This paper discusses the way we use these in classes for teaching programming and data-acquisition. The paper presents typical assignments and a survey of student satisfaction and student complaints. Computer-Based Measurement and Instrumentation We believe that students majoring in computer science and engineering technology need computer experience that goes beyond standard "computer literacy" and programming. Computers are now routinely used for data acquisition and equipment control. With rapid growth in this area, more trained and knowledgeable college graduate are needed. In our laboratory, computers are being used to make physical measurements with sensors that send signals to data-acquisition boards and an instrument-based software (virtual instrument) reads the experimental data. This technology has helped create measurement systems that are dramatically more robust and efficient than traditional ones such as voltmeters, ammeters, thermometers, torque indicators, tachometers, level sight-gauges, rotameters, etc. In addition to taking the readings, the software can collect and record the data, present the data graphically and publish results to the World Wide Web. The following section includes further details of this technology. The computer-based measurements in our systems are made using LabVIEW software and data acquisition boards from National Instruments. All computers are IBM compatible Pentinum PCs. 1,3 Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, Georgia. 2 College of Engineering and Computer Science, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Chattanooga, Tennessee.
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16 Jun 2002
TL;DR: A survey of Web/Internet-enabled technologies to build experimental setups that can fully be operated, controlled and monitored remotely and both advantages and disadvantages are discussed and evaluated.
Abstract: The impact of World Wide Web on education has gone beyond the text and multimedia based instruction in course offering through the Web. Today, a number of universities, national laboratories and companies are using Web/Internet-enabled applications that can be fully controlled and monitored from remote locations. Continuous advances in computers and electronics coupled with falling prices in these industries have made Web/Internet -based technologies less costly than before, particularly for educational organizations. Thus, it is more affordable to invest in these technologies that are essential for both expanding education over Web and further improving and advancing such technologies. The LabVIEW software from National Instruments company has significantly helped researchers and educators to integrate Internet/Web with experimental setups in various methods. Some of these methods have been also improved and further advanced by other companies to greatly facilitate the implementation of Web/Internet-enabled technologies. This paper presents a survey of Web/Internet-enabled technologies to build experimental setups that can fully be operated, controlled and monitored remotely. Both advantages and disadvantages of each of these technologies are discussed and evaluated.
37 citations
10 Dec 2002
TL;DR: A methodology for remote operation and monitoring of plant components through the Internet/Web is presented and typical technological concerns and challenges regarding safety and security measures as well as real-time operation are addressed.
Abstract: In recent years, nearly every industry has increasingly implemented computer based measurement, instrumentation and automation technologies to control, operate, and/or monitor various plant components of industrial equipment. This has also resulted in a paradigm shift from analog to digital technologies that are suitable for communications over the Internet, Web or networked computer systems. This paper presents a methodology for remote operation and monitoring of plant components through the Internet/Web. The Internet interfacing technologies have been examined through an experimental setup used at Fort Valley State University to perform remote experiments via the Internet. The setup is a motor-generator station that can be fully operated, monitored and controlled by computer systems using Virtual Instrument programs written in LabVIEW. It also features on-line capabilities that allow users to fully operate and monitor it remotely through the Internet. The paper also addresses typical technological concerns and challenges regarding safety and security measures as well as real-time operation.
3 citations
16 Jun 2002
TL;DR: In this article, the technical and pedagogical aspects of conducting laboratory experiments from remote locations are described, and 13 systems of laboratory equipment are available at UTC for students to operate remotely via the Internet.
Abstract: This paper describes the technical and pedagogical aspects of conducting laboratory experiments from remote locations. 13 systems of laboratory equipment are available at UTC for students to operate remotely via the Internet. Collected data can be shared with other students via the Web. The laboratory systems are described. The advantages and disadvantages in support of the learning objectives are discussed.
2 citations
07 Nov 2002
TL;DR: The development ofEngineering laboratory equipment at UTC, made available for users via the World Wide Web, and the current situation and future plans are described.
Abstract: Engineering laboratory equipment at UTC has been made available for users via the World Wide Web. Users can conduct systems lab experiments from remote sites, anytime day-or-night, any day of the week. This paper describes the development of these systems, the current situation and future plans.
1 citations