An Internet-based methodology for remotely accessed embedded systems

The use of laboratory experiments is a critically important aspect of engineering education. Experience in teaching has shown that a complementary approach combining theoretical and practical exercises is vital for effective learning. Increasingly, teaching institutions are offering remote access to distant laboratories as part of an overall e-learning strategy. Remote experimentation provided as part of a Web-based learning approach affords a number of critical benefits, allowing flexible access to on-campus resources free of time or geographical constraints. In the context of distance learning it can be the only realistic method of performing experiments. However adapting and redeveloping existing software and hardware resources to this purpose is both time consuming and expensive. An innovative simple approach to this problem is presented in this paper. The remote desktop method offered here allows students to have full access to existing on-campus laboratory resources remotely but without substantial implementation and development overheads incurred by the providers. This is achieved through increased functionality and extended utilisation of existing assets.