CCLI PI 2008www.tech.uh.edu/rock COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH: REMOTE LABORATORY FOR OPTICAL CIRCUITS COURSES Driss Benhaddou and Deniz Gurkan University of Houston Alan Mickelson and Frank Barnes University of Coloradowww.tech.uh.edu/rock

CCLI PI 2008www.tech.uh.edu/rock Motivations Introduce hands-on laboratory for distance education. Internet provides connectivity everywhere and broadband access enables high capacity connections. Introduce hands-on laboratory for distance education. Access to high-cost equipment.

CCLI PI 2008www.tech.uh.edu/rock ROCK Project: Remote Optical Circuit Knowledge The ROCK project is an NSF funded project that aims to create remotely-controlled optical circuits laboratory experiments. A set of optical circuits labs that can be remotely experimented have been implemented. The key concept here is to introduce modularity so that resources can be used by different universities in different programs. Offered at the Engineering Technology Dept at UH and Electrical and Electrical and Computer Engineering Dept at CU.

CCLI PI 2008www.tech.uh.edu/rock Project Objectives To determine what set of fundamental concepts of optical circuits can be addressed in a laboratory environment, To parse each experiment undertaken into pieces that can be addressed by simulation, by visual exposition, by analytical exercise and by actual manipulation of equipment To differentiate between the imperfection of our student' s learning and that of our teaching technique.

CCLI PI 2008www.tech.uh.edu/rock Course and Lab Integration Hybrid Mode: Lecture in Class and experiment conducted on-line. On-line Mode: Both lecture and Lab on-line. Each experiment is conducted in two phases: Simulation Remote control of real equipment

CCLI PI 2008www.tech.uh.edu/rock Lab Teaching Model Simulation uses VPI software, Labview or Matlab. Remote experiment uses Labview webservices.

CCLI PI 2008www.tech.uh.edu/rock Laboratory Concepts Experiment 2: Free Space Propagation Experiment 2: Dispersion Experiment 3: Fiber Loss Characterization Experiment 4: Optical Light Source Characterization Experiment 5: Optical Detector Characterization Experiment 6: Bit Error Rate

CCLI PI 2008www.tech.uh.edu/rock

CCLI PI 2008www.tech.uh.edu/rock Simulation

CCLI PI 2008www.tech.uh.edu/rock Simulations

CCLI PI 2008www.tech.uh.edu/rock Experiment Implementation Example of remote control with LabView Optical switch for LED or laser source Output of switch to OSA OSA screen and controls available on LabView web interface Students access through Active-X plug-in on web browser

CCLI PI 2008www.tech.uh.edu/rock Remote Control OTDR virtual instrument front panel Readings illustrating the measurement of a break in a single mode fiber

CCLI PI 2008www.tech.uh.edu/rock Technology Imperfections Remote lab interface: less than optimal number of controls More controls – more like actual instrument More controls – more complex LabView program

CCLI PI 2008www.tech.uh.edu/rock Assessment

CCLI PI 2008www.tech.uh.edu/rock Learning Assessment

CCLI PI 2008www.tech.uh.edu/rock Assessment E-Learning Laboratory YesNo 1.Connect an optical source to an OSA or an Oscilloscope. 86.7%13.3% OSA 1.Adjust OSA to see the signal. 86.7%13.3% 1.Measure peak Wavelength. 93.3%6.7% 1.Measure the line width of an optical signals. 93.3%6.7% 1.Identify LED Vs. LD 86.7%13.3% Oscilloscope 1.Adjust the oscilloscope to see the signal %0.0% 1.Measure the Period %0.0% 1.Measure the frequency %0.0% 1.Measure the rise time %

CCLI PI 2008www.tech.uh.edu/rock Lesson Learned Given the complexity of manipulating optical equipment, the remote, lab concepts had to be simplified in order to cover both instrument usage and the optical concepts. Technology Imperfection: Number of parameters that need to be control has to be high enough which not always possible. Teaching imperfection: Lack of student-teacher interaction. Need video orientation to explain the set up in order for students to have a feeling of the experiment.

CCLI PI 2008www.tech.uh.edu/rock Lessons learned Troubleshooting experience is not conveyed. Simulations need to be enhanced to involve students in the design process of the simulations. Modularity is very important for lab components to be utilized by different institutions. For a laboratory to be utilized by others, it should include a video orientation, video demonstration of how the experiment is set up and how to develop the simulation.

CCLI PI 2008www.tech.uh.edu/rock Questions 1. What set of fundamental concepts of the subject mater that can be most effectively addressed in an online laboratory environment? 2. How to best parse an experiment undertaken into pieces that can be addressed by simulation, by visual exposition, by analytical exercise and by actual manipulation of equipment? 3. How to differentiate between the imperfection of our student’s learning and that of our teaching technique? Indentify the capabilities and limitation of the e-laboratory. 4. How is student’s learning is improved? Distance learning versus on- ground learning settings and discussion of the factors in Teamwork, Communication, Real Life Problem Solution, and Critical Thinking etc. (Student Side) 5. What are the effective evaluation tools to measure the success of your distance based laboratory? Do you tabulate your findings? What are good and bad indications in your survey results? Ways to improve your survey results.