Simplifying the implementation of remote laboratories in educational environments using industrial hardware

Abstract

In this paper we propose an unconventional approach of remote laboratory development based on industrial hardware. We show that it can significantly reduce implementation effort required for deployment of online labs in control education environment. The hardware architecture of laboratory is based on two devices: a programmable logic controller and an industrial router device, which provide the communication and management capabilities between users and experiments. Using these, we were able to develop operationally effective on-line laboratory for remote control of educational experimental plant in the different way that can be seen in traditional approaches based on standard server computers. On this architecture, we have developed the instance of remote laboratory with highly versatile user interface, based on common Web technologies and powered by optimized JavaScript logic. To prove the architecture suitability, we show the practical case of remote laboratory implementation for control education purposes. In section II, we describe the hardware architecture. In section III, the principles of communication between clients and experiment are given. Overview of laboratory is shown in Section IV and security issues are discussed in section V. An example of experimental usage from student's point of view is given in the last section of paper.