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REMOTE LAB :: How to Build your own
 

HOW TO BUILD A REMOTE LAB
  • Introduction
  • Materials Required
  • Setup the "Lab"
  • Setup the "Remote"
  • Future Improvements
INTRODUCTION 

One goal of its on going development is to provide a lab that is accessible to more people at all periods of time. Another goal is to have the lab capable of being reproduced by others without requiring a large investment of development time. This philosophy detracts from its streamlined and unified look, but it greatly reduces development time. The following document describes the method in which to construct your own Remote Lab. Additional information on equipment and procedures can be found in the experiments updated for HP's Educator's Corner.

(Last updated July, 1999) 

introduce Curve Tracer include example circuit explain what it shows list improvements July 11, 1999 

Materials Required

HARDWARE

  • Computer 
  • Multimeter (HP 34401A)
  • 15 MHz Function/Arbitrary Waveform Generator (HP 33120A)
  • Triple output Power Supply (HP 6236B)
  • 4 Channel 100 MHz Oscilloscope (HP 54601A)
  • IEEE 488 Cables (HP 10833)
  • Protoboard
  • Probes
  • Connectix QuickCam
  • Radioshack (275-241) 12VDC PC Relay 
  • Remote switch 61-2684B 
SOFTWARE
  • HP VEE- This is an application that allows computer control of the instruments. This software can create "Virtual Instruments" by programming several instruments to work together as if they were a single instrument. These instruments usuall have custom instrument panels displayed on the computer from which it is controlled. An example instrument, the curve tracer is developed and available to use.
  • Timbuktu Pro- This is a software that allows remote control of the computer through the internet. After connecting to the Remote lab host, a window opens containing the display of the host computer. This enables complete control of the remote experimental equipment.
  • Quick Pict- This application opens a window that allows you to see live video (at a reduced frame rate) of the experiment.
  • Lighthouse for Windows- This software is intended for home automation, but it is used in the Remote Lab to turn off or on various elements of the lab. 


Setup the "LAB"
  • Identify computer to act as host for the remote lab and install HP-VEE, Timbuktu Pro, Quick Pict 
  • Connect all instruments with IEE 488 cables to HPIB Card in computer. 
  • Wire up circuit on the protoboard and attach probes appropriately. 

    • - The function generator will be used to create a sweeping DC offset which will be used for Vin
    - The oscilloscope will monitor the actual value of the output of the function generator
    - The multimeter will monitor the actual voltage output. 
    - Use the power supply to create any Vcc or constant voltages your circuit may require.
    - Appropriately attach all ground wires. 
  • Download curve.vee from the CMU Remote Lab web page. Start the HPVEE program and open curve.vee, which will bring up the Curve Tracer Panel . 
Addressing Warning
The meters default to a certain address. This could cause problems in trying to run the Curve Tracer. Should your version of the Remote Lab not be equipped with the same instruments, this may require small changes to the "curve.vee" code. 
  • Choose the desired characteristic graph (Vout vs. Vin or Id vs. Vd) and the sweep voltages (Start V, Stop V, Step V). 
  • Click on the start button to begin the sweep of voltages to test the circuit. 
ADDING A SWITCH (SPDT)
Radioshack (275-241) 12VDC PC Relay 

The addition of switches enable control of several elements of the Remote lab. This will augment the functionality of the Remote lab by allowing variation of the circuits. A switch can: 

  • Change the value of a circuit element, 
  • Change the location of the probe,
  • Change between two different circuits.

POWER CYCLING

Occasionally, the instruments become frozen and produce nonsense data. or do not respond. This problem is sometimes remedied by power-cycling the instruments. When at the host computer and the instruments, switching on and off the instrument solves the problem; however, this is a problem when running the lab remotely. Lighthouse for Windows solves this problem by attaching the instruments to a switch box. 

Setup the "Remote"

Once Timbuktu is installed onto the host computer, the other computers also require this software. 

  • Install Timbuktu on the host computer.
  • In order for users to be able to connect to the Remote lab, users must have a username and password. To define users, select [Setup->Define Users]. A panel will appear in which users, passwords, and permissions can be added or modified. 


    • The CMU Remote Lab has several administrative users defined, who have permission to Send, Exchange, Control and Observe. Passwords are private.
    The CMU Remote Lab manages student users by giving them Observe and Control Permissions. Remote lab administrators have created individual accounts for each student with a generic username and password (last name). The Remote lab has also been set up at times to just have one generic user for all users to use.

  • As accouts are set up, the Remote Lab is ready to be accessed remotely. 
Those who wish to acces the remote lab should have Timbuktu installed on their computer. Users only need to know the computer or IP Address of the host computer. 

Your Remote Lab is set up and ready to go!

Future Improvments

This document to create the remote lab is as of July 16, 1999. Future improvement considerations are to replace the Lighthouse for Windows software with an HP instrument. It is the HP 34970A Data Acquisition/Switch Unit which will allow the function of th e Swtich boxes to toggle on and off devices, which would include circuit elements and even other HP Instruments. With this step, the Remote lab is almost entirely contained in one applications. Steps to eliminate the use of Timbuktu Remote control softwar e are being considered.