An Open Source Multiplatform Virtual Laboratory for Engineering Education

Abstract

An autonomous and multiplatform virtual laboratory for educational purposes is presented. The implemented platform includes a server with a SSH (Secure SHell) connection and a separated repository containing the virtual experiments. The programming of the experiments is implemented in Java language based tool, the EJS (Easy Java Simulation) and uses an external computation engine, for example Matlab. The virtual laboratory provides control system experiments at University level. Two application examples are described, namely, a magnetic levitator and an inverted pendulum-cart system. The virtual laboratory has been successfully used for education and training of Electronics Engineering students. A discussion of the results of this e-learning experience is also presented.