The Virtual Automation Lab-Web based teaching of automation engineering concepts

Our Virtual Automation Lab is a Web based interactive learning environment for both Computer Science and Automation Engineering concepts within a virtual university setting. We describe three Lab exercises in which students learn how to operate CAN fieldbus devices without any physical proximity to the devices themselves. One of the exercises is a pure simulation realized with a Java applet. In the other exercises, Java applets provide a remote interface to a server which acts as a bridge between the Internet and the CAN fieldbus. No proprietary software has to be installed and no browser plug-ins are needed to access the devices via the Internet. While our exercises pave the ground for teaching Lab based courses over the Internet, or enriching physical Labs with virtual devices that are located elsewhere, our Java based software solutions may also form the basis for industrial applications like remote control, monitoring, maintenance, or data acquisition