A LEGO experiment for embedded control system design

This article describes a simple, portable, yet effective experimental setup for use in courses that do not have dedicated laboratory facilities. Since the setup is based on LEGO parts and equipment, the experiment can be developed easily and relatively inexpensively. When combined with NQC freeware, students are exposed to programming embedded processors. Students also gain experience with the implementation of dynamic controllers and with non-ideal and nonlinear features present in real-world mechatronic systems. The experiment is especially effective when used for projects in introductory signals, systems, and controls courses.