Real-time Remote Experiment in High Voltage Lab

A new remote laboratory system is introduced in order to achieve real-time distant operation. Next to the cameras that permit the viewing of the experiment, it is also possible remotely to control the equipment and to get the results. Only requirements are network infrastructure present close to the laboratory, and communication ready equipment with a serial port for example. 1. INTRODUCTION Web based laboratories are a well-known topic with new solutions appearing every year [1-4]. This paper introduces a new laboratory monitoring system that enables the remote viewing and control of the experiments. Based on Internet protocol, it communicates over any available networks such as Internet and Intranet, making it accessible worldwide. 2. PURPOSE 2.1. Application field Two applications fields are of interest. For the university, a remote monitoring laboratory permits that several faculties follow the same experiment over the network. For the industry, the same monitoring system enables final product evidence testing to several clients. First advantage of this monitoring system is to have access to a remote laboratory wherever the end user is located. Also the software control of the equipment over the network enables that no more local crew is required inside the laboratory. At the university level, same experiment followed by different teachers, assistants and students leads to a homogenization of knowledge as well overall progress. Another point is that there is no more need for each faculty to purchase same expensive equipment, thus leading to a reduction of the costs. For the industries, remote equipment experiment permits that final client witness product testing over the network without the need to be physically present inside the laboratory. The whole test is saved in digital format with cameras for evidence and future viewing. Results of the experiment are saved in digital format as well, and can be used easily later on with common programs such as MS Excel. 3. SYSTEM PRESENTATION Own developed monitoring system is in charge of generation, acquisition and communication in the remote laboratory. It consists of an industrial motherboard with memory and solid-state disk shown in Figure 1. Figure 1: Monitoring system controller and acquisition card. Whole system is fanless and without any mechanical parts such as hard drives in order to reduce the risk of system failure. The controller of the monitoring system is connected with the generation equipment toward USB or RS232 ports. This link enables the transmission of the generation …