Magnetic levitation system: a virtual lab in "easy Java simulation"

This paper deals with the use of interactive computer simulation and animation environments in a virtual lab which illustrates real-world applications of fundamental control principles. The goals of the paper can be summarized as follows: a) provide students with a motivating introduction to the practice of control engineering principles. b) Show, using a simple and challenging example - the magnetic levitation system, as many features of multivariable control as possible. c) Integrate fundamental skills and principles from throughout the curriculum to solve practical engineering problems. d) Encourage the students promoting an active attitude using problem-based learning via open-ended control problems.