eLab, Remote Electronics Lab

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all basic electrical and electronic engineering courses, forcing an efficient use of time and other resources. ○ However, laboratories used for these basic.
eLab, Remote Electronics Lab http://elab.mty.itesm.mx

Dr. Manuel E. Macías M.C. Israel Méndez Tecnológico de Monterrey, Monterrey N.L. México.

Justification z

In the past few years, there has been an increase in the information and content added to all basic electrical and electronic engineering courses, forcing an efficient use of time and other resources.

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However, laboratories used for these basic subjects have been neglected to make room for the new emerging technologies’ labs, due mainly to the cost that the maintenance of a lab of this nature implies. eLab: Remote Electronics Lab. Mací Macías & Mé Méndez. ©2006 ITESM

Alternative z

However, for pedagogical reasons, the real experience of any laboratory should not be left aside. A viable alternative to provide the laboratory experience for these basic courses are Internet-based Remote Laboratories.

eLab, Remote Electronics Lab eLab: Remote Electronics Lab. Mací Macías & Mé Méndez. ©2006 ITESM

Virtual Laboratories z

Common Virtual Labs are simply simulated.

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The user connects to a simulation server and runs the experiment’s simulation.

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Although close, a simulation is NOT a real result, just an approximation.

eLab: Remote Electronics Lab. Mací Macías & Mé Méndez. ©2006 ITESM

Remote Laboratories z

In a Remote Lab, a real, physical experiment is made available to the user.

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The user connects to a server which, via Tele-immersion mechanisms, provides access to the experiment’s parameters and measurements.

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The variable measurements are REAL, therfore, the experience is REAL. eLab: Remote Electronics Lab. Mací Macías & Mé Méndez. ©2006 ITESM

Simulated vs Real Experiments

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The following test circuit has been set up in a real, remote laboratory and in a simulated one. Results are compared. eLab: Remote Electronics Lab. Mací Macías & Mé Méndez. ©2006 ITESM

Simulated vs Real Experiments

Real Measurements Simulation Results

Vin Vout

0.2V, 200Hz 0.7V, 200Hz

Vin Vout

0.2V, 200Hz 1.35V, 200Hz

eLab: Remote Electronics Lab. Mací Macías & Mé Méndez. ©2006 ITESM

Simulated vs Real Experiments

Real Measurements Simulation Results

Vin

1V, 200Hz

Vout Sat+ 1.2V; Vo- -2.4V

Vin

1V, 200Hz

Vout

Sat+ 1.85V; Sat- -2.2V

eLab: Remote Electronics Lab. Mací Macías & Mé Méndez. ©2006 ITESM

eLab: Remote and in Real Time z

eLab offers a remote laboratory alternative with the advantage that the experiment’s results are obtained in real time, and can also be reconfigurated in the spot.

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It has the advantage of being accessible from virtually anywhere in the world from any internetconnected machine at any time.

eLab: Remote Electronics Lab. Mací Macías & Mé Méndez. ©2006 ITESM

Advantages: Cost Traditional Lab Cost (USD) COST

EQUIPMENT

COST

EQUIPMENT

$1200

DC Source

$2600

DAQ Card/Accessories

$410

Digital Multimeter

$1000

$1800

Function Generator

Server Computer (PC)

$2800

Digital Oscilloscope

$100

Digital Components

TOTAL: $6,210

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Remote Lab Cost (USD)

TOTAL: $3,700

Also, infrastructure, personnel, and maintenance costs are far lower for a Remote Lab implementation. eLab: Remote Electronics Lab. Mací Macías & Mé Méndez. ©2006 ITESM

Advantages: Time *3-hour practices were considered for this table.

Traditional Lab

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Remote Lab

9 hours/day (7AM-5PM)

14 hours/day (8AM-10PM)

24 hours/day

5 days/week

6 days/week

7 days/week

15 teams/week

28 teams/week

56 teams/week

Since practices in eLab are already set up, time required for the student to make the practice is reduced and can be administered by the student. Practices can be reused each semester, saving time for eLab instructors. eLab: Remote Electronics Lab. Mací Macías & Mé Méndez. ©2006 ITESM

Advantages: Accesibility and Space z

eLab, as a remote laboratory, has the advantage of being accessible from virtually anywhere in the world and at any time.

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The students can decide when and where to carry out their practices, not being bound to a fixed schedule anymore.

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The space required for an eLab station (the space for a computer and a DAQ station) is far less than the space required for a traditional lab station. eLab: Remote Electronics Lab. Mací Macías & Mé Méndez. ©2006 ITESM

Implementation: Scheduling and Authentication z

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Once eLab is implemented into a course, students undergo a series of steps in order to use it. First, students have to log in and reserve time slots to carry out their assigned practices. The Authentication System has to verify the student’s identity and reserved time slot.

eLab: Remote Electronics Lab. Mací Macías & Mé Méndez. ©2006 ITESM

Sample Scheduling Table

Week-ends

Distributed time

Late hours eLab: Remote Electronics Lab. Mací Macías & Mé Méndez. ©2006 ITESM

Implementation: Practice Interface z

Once logged in, measurements and experiment configuration is carried out via the Practice Interface.

eLab: Remote Electronics Lab. Mací Macías & Mé Méndez. ©2006 ITESM

Results z

The lab is remote, so it can be accessed from virtually anywhere in the world.

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The practices are real processes, therefore exposing the student to a real environment and real results.

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Students can choose when and where to carry out their practices. They learn at their own pace, letting them use all hours assigned for each practice or less. They can distribute their practice time accordingly to their own schedule, adapting the lab to the student’s activities. Cost of the lab is greatly reduced and resources are used more efficiently.

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eLab: Remote Electronics Lab. Mací Macías & Mé Méndez. ©2006 ITESM

Questions and Comments

eLab, Remote Electronics Lab http://eLab.mty.itesm.mx eLab: Remote Electronics Lab. Mací Macías & Mé Méndez. ©2006 ITESM