Internet based laboratories in engineering education
In Internet based laboratory (I-Lab), the lab devices and pilot plants are tested, controlled and programmed through a client program or standard web browser at remote computer. Control panels of HMI interface and user-controlled webcam allow monitoring the measurement devices or test plant behavior providing visual and audio feedback. As an online lab can be used from many locations and at any time, it can be utilized much more than a conventional lab in omni present omni tempore fashion. The paper presents such online Internet accessible laboratory built at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering in Sarajevo within the laboratory for HMI/SCADA systems. Web enabled HMI software with OPC communication to PLC controller is used to provide full monitoring and control to remote user, while integrated videoconferencing software is used to implement the rest of the functionalities.