Educational Platform Using Low-Cost Technologies For Control Subject
Introduction
Nowadays, most universities, especially those universities which are offering Engineering courses start to improve the teaching and learning activities or techniques. The highlights are to emphasize some practical aspects and hands-on learning in the teaching by incorporating innovative trends in order to enhance students’ understanding and participation. Hence, several of commercial educational platforms have been produced and marketed for this purpose. However, it is found that the price for this platform is typically a remarkably expensive [1]. Apart from that, the commercial platforms produced were usually compatible with its own hardware and software, limiting the functions to be extended and integrated with other type of hardware and software.
For these reason, designing a low-cost educational platform has gained a significant interest from many universities [2]. A low cost platform for control subject with various types of possible hardware and software is proposed. In this paper, it is mentioned that the idea came up from the concern of the lecturer to provide new tools to the student which incorporate attractive feature which is to enhance student understanding for control subject. By having the low-cost platform, it will enable the student to learn not only the platform devices but also able to understand a variety of programming languages that can be used for implementing the control solutions. Some examples of platform device are Lego, Arduino, Kinect and Rasberry Pi. Most of common languages used are LabView and Matlab/Simulink [2].
The aim of this project is to develop a low-cost educational platform for basic control subject with water level system. The students will design their controller using Matlab Simulink and the response of the water level system can be observed. By using this platform, each student will be able to design their own controller algorithm based on their creativity and understanding.
Result
A Matlab Simulation
To design a controller when the plan model is not available, we are using data driven control. Data driven control is to use the input and output from the plant to build the mathematical model. We have arduino connect to motor and host computer. The figure below show that the block we run into the arduino board. The block created an executable file from a model and run it on target hardware. The model will detect the change in voltage in the sensor and the different in voltage will be use to run the motor.
Figure 4.1: The block diagram run in to the Arduino.
The second Simulink model will be run in to the computer host. This second model will send the command to arduino board. The block diagram show in figure below.
What did I do?
Methods of educational are improving continuously in Control Subject by using low-cost platforms. This paper is presenting a brief description of the most widely used platforms or technologies and how they are selected for university subjects, specifically in Control Engineering Subject. This study is focusing on two criteria which are to create an easier platform for lecturers to simulate, and the continuously growing experience of students in relation to every low-cost platform. We hereby present a case study of the water system using Arduino platform, MATLAB SIMULINK as the software and integrating Internet of Thing (IoT) into the system.