Client-Server Architecture for Remote Experimentation for Embedded Systems

The proliferation of web based distance education courses in recent years poses unique challenges for the teaching of disciplines involving a high level of practical work. Increasingly web based engineering courses are on offer, augmented by the provision of remote experimentation laboratories. The degree of functionality and level of user access to these remote laboratories has evolved in recent years expedited by advances in web applications and technologies. However the design and implementation of effective and usable remote experimentation facilities poses unique challenges given the inherent complexities of the learning environment and the constraints imposed by a web based delivery mechanism. In addition an overriding challenge in the implementation of remote experimentation environments is to maximise the use of existing resources without incurring substantial redevelopment costs needed to adapt hardware and software tools with the extra functionality needed for online remote access. This paper presents and demonstrates a client-server architecture for distant access to an integrated learning environment for remote experimentation for embedded systems which compliments and augments current web based e-learning approaches while fully utilizing existing on-campus resources without substantial redevelopment effort.