Tells - a facility for web-based, remote real time laboratory
experiments
University of LimerickIreland
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The (Tells) system is a facility to enable lecturers and students to run and control real-time experiments. The main goals of (Tells) are:
• The provision of lectures augmented with real-time experiments and demonstrations to local and remote learners
• The provision of remote and local learner access to real-time experiments on-line for 24 hours a day 7 days a week
• Building on standard Internet and PC technology and LABVIEW
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Hands on experiments and laboratory work
Tells
Simulated experiments
Learning from experiments
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Skills Development
Reinforcing concepts
On-Line Learning Support
Real-Time
Parameter Changing
Remote Use
Hands-On Simulation Tells
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WEB
LABVIEWRun Time Engine
LECTURERPC
LABVIEWProcess
Video
Audio
Real-time experiments demonstrated by lecturer to local learners in a lecture setting
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The lecturer may run real-time experiments, operating in a remote laboratory, in a local classroom setting
Lecture to local learners mode
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PC
LABVIEW
WEB
PC1
LABVIEWRun Time Engine SOUND
VIDEO LECTURER
PC2
LABVIEWRun Time Engine
SOUND
PCm
LABVIEWRun Time Engine
SOUND
Statuses:
• MONITORING
• CONTROL
Process
Video
Audio
.
.
.
Real-time experiments demonstrated by lecturer to local and remote learners in a
lecture setting
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The instructor may run realtime experiments, operating in a remote laboratory, to remote and local learners in a lecture format
Lecture broadcast mode
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LABVIEW
Implementation
Process
VIDEO
AUDIO
Web Page
Lecturer
Audio Video
Access Control
LABVIEW
Run Time Engine
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PC
LABVIEW
WEB
LABVIEWRun Time Engine
LABVIEWRun Time Engine
LABVIEWRun Time Engine
PC1
PC2
PCm
Process
Video
Audio
Real-time experimentation by local and remote learners on-line 24 hours
a day
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Local and remote learners may be scheduled to run a Labview controlled experiment developed by the lecturer and change experiment parameters
Online real-time experimentation mode
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LABVIEW
Implementation
Process
VIDEO
AUDIO
Web Page
Access Control
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Issues to deal with
• Registration of the remote users
• Scheduling of the remote users
• Remote access watchdog
• Quality of the visual and audio feedback
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Notice Board
Schedule
Final Year
Projects
Homework
Credit
Lecture
Main page
Structure
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Hardware used
Standard PC
Video cameras
Image Acquisition (IMAQ) Card
Microphones and speakers used with the soundcard
Process - any type of electronic or mechanical
process being controlled in LABVIEW
View experiments in real time
View the lectures in real time
Convert analog video to digital video
Transmit and receive sound
Used for the experiment
Data Acquisition (DAQ) Card Compatible with NI LABVIEW
Exchange the information between the PC and the experiment
Projector Display video or text on a large screen
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Software used
LABVIEW - graphical programming software for measurement and automation
Microsoft Internet Explorer (or similar software)
Microsoft FrontPage, Dreamweaver (or other similar software)
HTML Code
Data Acquisition Control Web-publishing Scheduling
Access the LABVIEW generated web pages and other web pages
Build and manage websites and Internet applications
Embed programs into web pages
Helix Producer (from RealNetworks) Provides encoding to convert audio and video into RealMedia format
Helix Server (from RealNetworks) Delivery engine supporting the real time packetization and network transmission of any media type to any device
RealONE Player (from RealNetworks) Used to decode and play information in RealMedia format
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Conclusion The (Tells) system is a facility that enables communication between lecturers, laboratory experiments and students. It is implemented using standard, available hardware and software. It is a resource that can be applied in any experimental discipline where interaction with real-time experiments is a useful learning resource.