Department of Automatic Control & System Engineering The University of Sheffield Yashar Baradaranshokouhi Virtual Laboratory Leader: Dr. Anthony Rossiter

To Achieve a better learning experience better:  Lectures  Tutorials  Computer Labs  Equipment ◦ Difficulties:  Time Slots  Cost  Space

A Solution to:  Limited resources and equipment  24/7 accessible for students  Limited time of academic staff and technicians  Authentic learning and student motivation.  Students have time to reflect and redo activities. Two Main Types:  SVL (Soft Virtual Laboratories)  HVL (Hard Virtual Laboratories)

 Not all of the experiments can be transformed into the virtual environment  Database Integration  IGUI: Interactive Graphical User Interface design  Unexpected errors and crashes while running the experiment remotely  Maintenance  Automatic Recovery system  Fixed station for the equipment

Considering the students feedback, two different approaches has been considered  1) Complex Design (DC Servo Motor)  Includes:  Tab based (4 tabs)  Interactive user interface  Interconnected experiments  Database connectivity  Log-in feature  2) Simple Design (PID Controller)  Only one tab  Straight forward load & run

 First Order Modelling  Calculating the gain (K)  Calculating the time constant (T)  Building a first order transfer function  Analysis of first order step response

Experiment 1: Gain Measurement

Experiment 2: Time Constant Calculation

Experiment 3: System Transfer Function

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 Database Integration  IGUI: Interactive Graphical User Interface  Security Check  Online User Queuing System  Live View of the Laboratory  Time limitations  Robust and automatic recovery system

 Hands on Experience with a PID Controller  PI: Proportional Integral controller  PD: Proportional Derivative controller  PID controller  System response analysis at set point (Step Response)

 Simple Design  Online User Queuing System  Time Limitation  Real Time Live View of the system step response  Robust and easy recovery

Laboratory 2: PID Controller

 Reliability is fundamental. Students expect the system to work if engagement is encouraged or compulsory.  Lighting: Does the webcam work at night?  Automatic restart: For what scenarios can the system crash and how quickly is this noticed and rectified?  Simplicity of instructions and interface.  Queuing: The queue length should be visible or have a formal booking system.

 Students projects have been designed and supervised to build up laboratories for students  Students feedback has been effectively considered.  Laboratories has been available for students 24/7  Virtual Laboratories can play an important role in learning and teaching.

 Dr. Anthony Rossiter  Dr. Ian Lilley  Mr. Ian Hammond  Department of Automatic Control & System Engineering