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Broadband Center researchers are developing
user-friendly, computer-controlled instrumentation and data
analysis techniques that are revolutionizing the way measurements
are being made. Users can benefit from nearly instantaneous
comparisons among theoretical predictions, simulations, and
experimental results.
Remote WEB-based experimentation augments
students' laboratory experience by offering access to sophisticated
instrumentation. It provides a natural, valuable extension
of the traditional laboratory component, which normally uses
relatively simple equipment. For limited periods of time,
direct physical access to the Internet laboratory stations
may be allowed, in order to further acquaint the students
with the equipment. However, remote access may be allowed
24 hours a day. Remote laboratories have an enormous throughput,
since users only access the equipment for a very short time
of the actual measurement.
These important advantages make remote-distance,
interactive learning an important, emerging educational trend.
The Internet is an ideal medium for remote instruction purposes
– offering interesting possibilities for disseminating
educational material to local and distant students. Its ubiquity
and protocol standards make data communication and front-end
graphical user interfaces easy to implement.
This technology also could be applied to
other areas of engineering and science – well beyond
electrical circuits or device applications. Eventually, Internet
laboratory courses may be offered to students worldwide, removing
a major obstacle for establishing a boundless and nearly complete
remote engineering curriculum. An engineering education could
be made available to segments of the population that otherwise
would be disadvantaged by distance and lack of resources.
The Center's work on remote lab systems
started in 1997 as a collaboration between Rensselaer Polytechnic
Institute (RPI) in Troy, N.Y. and Norwegian University of
Science and Technology (NTNU) in Norway. Members now operate
three sites: AIM-Lab (Automatic Internet Measurement Laboratory)
at RPI; LAB-on-WEB at UniK at the University Graduate Center
near Oslo, Norway (affiliated with NTNU and University of
Oslo); and NGL (Next Generation Lab) at NTNU.
For more information on the Center's work
on Remote Internet Measurement Laboratories, please contact:
Dr. Michael Shur, Director
(518) 276-2201
shurm@rpi.edu
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