Advances in Engineering Education - Summer 2008 - Broadcasting Engineering Laboratories—Audio/Video and Data—In Real-Time Over the Internet

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Đào

Internet extends laboratory and training infrastructure beyond physical walls. Although hands-on work cannot be replaced, web-based digital labs can offer a strong alternative and sometimes unique benefits through distance delivery. High radiation environments and the very high cost of certain facilities, such as nuclear research reactors, motivate inexpensive, easily installed systems. The reported real-time distance lab module enables remote personnel to watch experiments, acquire data, and interact via audio/video with on-site teams, including real-time text and graphical data broadcast and LabVIEW remote front panel sharing.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages17

Reading Time43 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Related work in web-based and remote labs

Framework and implementation at the University of Illinois

Advances in engineering education Summer 2008 Broadcasting engineering Laboratories—Audio/Video and Data—In real-Time Over the Internet PRASHANT K. JAIN Department of Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering University of Illinois at Urbana—Champaign Urbana, IL YUXIANG GU Department of Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering University of Illinois at Urbana—Champaign Urbana, IL RIZWAN-UDDIN Department of Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering University of Illinois at Urbana—Champaign Urbana, IL ABsTrACT Internet extends the reach of existing laboratory and training infrastructure to beyond the walls of such facilities. Though nothing can replace the hands-on experience in a laboratory; a carefully developed web-based digital lab may be the next best thing. In some cases, there may be benefits associated with a “distance laboratory” that are usually not available in a conventional lab. Due to radiation environment and very high cost of some labs—for example, nuclear research reactors—there exists a need to develop web-based systems that can access the experiments being conducted in a radiation measurement lab or the reactor and make it available in a virtual laboratory. These systems should be inexpensive, easily installable, allow interactive audio/video communication as well as remote access (or sharing) of data in real-time. We here report the development of areal-time, distance lab module that is being implemented in the Department of Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering at the University of Illinois. This internet-based system allows remote personnel to watch the experiments and personnel performing the experiments, acquire data, and interact (audio and video) with on-site personnel. Data are broadcasted in real time in text as well as graphical format—the same format used to display the data on site. Moreover, use of LabVIEW’s remote front panel feature allows communications between the local lab and remote client so that remote client, if permitted, can obtain part or full control of the experiments. Keywords: Web-cast, e-Lab, Internet, LabVIEW, Distance education summer 2008 1 aDVaNcEs IN ENgINEERINg EDUcaTIoN Broadcasting Engineering Laboratories—audio/Video and Data—In Real-Time over the Internet INTrODuCTION The internet and world-wide-web have become indispensable parts of modern day education, supplementing existing classroom education and also supporting web-based courses and programs. Though the distance learning programs continue to expand, real-time broadcasting of engineering laboratory courses is still in its infancy. In addition, for expensive and/or dwindling experimental facilities—such as teaching, training and research nuclear reactors—distance lab modules may become an economic necessity [1] . While distance-lab modules—just like distance-courses—may never be as meaningful as their in-lab counterparts, it may be possible to make them somewhat realistic. Moreover, in some ways, distance-labs (or e-Labs) with their large screen monitors and zoom-pan capabilities associated with the broadcasted video, might actually provide a more meaningful experience than a passive presence in the back of a crowded laboratory. (Somewhat similar to the experience of watching a soccer game on wide screen HDTV with replays from several different anglesand multiple windows vs. watching it live from the top of a large stadium. ) Additionally, embedded multimedia features along with interactive simulations may also allow remote users to visualize and grasp different dynamic concepts, which in turn, can promote active learning. [In a way, these digital tools and features—like multi-media interactive features, large screen with multiple windows, andreplay capabilities—are meant to enhance our understanding of real phenomena and thus, can and should be used even in the hands-on laboratories. And it is in this sense that the in-lab experience can always be enhanced t

FAQs

Why is a web-based distance laboratory needed in radiation measurement settings?

Because radiation environments and the very high cost of some labs, such as nuclear research reactors, create a need to provide experiment access via virtual laboratory systems.

What real-time capabilities does the proposed e-Lab module provide?

Remote personnel can watch experiments and personnel, acquire data, and interact through audio and video, while text and graphical data are broadcast in real time.

How does LabVIEW support control and data sharing between local and remote sites?

Using LabVIEW’s remote front panel feature, the remote client can obtain part or full control of permitted experiments and communicate with the local lab.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Đào