Design and Implementation of Mobile Experiment Algorithm Designer Interface for Network Control System Laboratory

Abstract

This paper introduces the Mobile Client Interface (MCI), an Android application, that grants remote access and experimentation with the Networked Control System Laboratory (NCSLab) resources. The MCI serves as a cost-effective alternative to traditional laboratories by facilitating remote interaction with real hardware platforms. Unlike the web interface, MCI provides a native, touch-optimized user experience, fostering user engagement. In realizing this, a Mobile Experiment Algorithm Designer (MEAD) is developed for NCSLab that empowers users to visually design control algorithms via library of functional blocks, providing easiness in performing experimentation remotely from hand-held devices. Hence eliminating the need for intense coding knowledge and expertise. The application integrates with NCSLab’s back-end services for physical experiments with their output response readily available on mobile devices. Thus, it may serve as an excellent educational tool for students and researchers providing on-the-go accessibility, flexibility and customization of experiment algorithm design for NCSLab resources. The working and functionality of MCI and MEAD is validated by conducting an experiment on the Air Bearing Spacecraft (ABS) platform where the algorithm design, simulation validation and experiment are performed through the mobile device. Hence, MCI signifies the potential of mobile client interfaces to facilitate user work experience with remote laboratories and paves the way for further advancements in mobile interfaces for remote laboratory applications.

Keywords

• Control engineering education
• mobile control algorithms design
• online experimentation
• remote laboratory
• smartphones