Goals:

Technological advancements have resulted in the availability of some relatively low-cost software and computer hardware that can be used for the support of educational laboratories for control systems and automation. However, many components of such laboratories remain expensive and hence not widely available. The goal of this project is to conduct a collaborative multi-university development project for low-cost laboratories for higher education in control and automation engineering and related areas. Development projects are conducted primarily at single universities by individuals or groups of undergraduates or graduate students, then shared with all universities. It is hoped that before release, the laboratory projects are tested in an educational setting. All materials, including detailed schematics, suppliers, costs, operational details, laboratory exercises and procedures, supporting educational materials, etc. will be provided by development teams. It is envisioned that new laboratories will build on older ones, and will change based on advances in technology. A strong emphasis is on very low-cost designs (e.g., less than $5 per plant), but ones that do not sacrifice educational goals. Experiments that can serve both undergraduate and graduate programs are desirable. It is also desirable if the laboratories can serve current experimental research objectives.

Current Laboratory Focus Areas:

• Control systems
• Signals and systems

Additional Control System Ideas: Some ideas for additional lab experiments are given here.

Participating Universities: For information on participating universities, click here.

Project Status: At this time we are seeking university partners in the focus areas. Most of our progress is in the area of control systems as you can see from the above link. We are seeking to build up the signals and systems area, and would like to eventually expand into the signal processing, communications, robotics, and manufacturing areas.

Related Groups:

• ISTEC
• NSF (e.g., PASI, ILI)

Resources:

Plan to assemble a list of resources here, including web-based educational support materials and on-line books.

Related Links:

OSU Control Research Laboratory

Project Leader: Kevin Passino, Dept. ECE, OSU.

For more information send email: passino@ee.eng.ohio-state.edu