Tele-experiments via Internet a new approach for distance education

Tele-experiments are lab experiments which are carried out via the Internet. Two such tele-experiments are described which best comply with the objectives of case of use, student/tutor interaction, on-site viewing, real-time operation and safety against modifications. The first set-up is an intelligent inverter drive experiment using the Linux operating system and VNC as Internet access software. Both are cost-free. Linux offers the possibility to restrict access to certain applications, thus making it very safe with respect to system modifications, deliberate or nondeliberate. VNC provides a remote display system allowing the viewer to view a computing desktop environment from anywhere on the Internet. In order to interface with the tutor or other clients, a text editor, Pico, is installed. Since control of the experiment is done via RS232 serial link, Minicom is set up within VNC. The second set-up is a DC motor experiment using Windows98 operating system. Matlab/Simulink is used first to simulate and optimise the performance of the motor in a control loop. After achieving satisfactory results, the simulated motor is replaced by real hardware in the lab via the Internet using Real-Link/32. A microphone and web-camera is installed to provide audio/video feedback of the action of the motor.