iLabsiLabs10 Years of Remote Labs10 Years of Remote Labs

Crosstalk - March 6, 2008Crosstalk - March 6, 2008

Jesús del Alamo – MIT, Professor Department of EECSJesús del Alamo – MIT, Professor Department of EECS John Belcher – MIT, Professor Department of PhysicsJohn Belcher – MIT, Professor Department of Physics

Judson Harward – MIT, Associate Director of CECIJudson Harward – MIT, Associate Director of CECI Kunle Kehinde - Obafemi Awolowo University, NigeriaKunle Kehinde - Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria

Steven Lerman – MIT, Dean for Graduate StudentsSteven Lerman – MIT, Dean for Graduate Students Mark Schulz – University of Queensland, AustraliaMark Schulz – University of Queensland, Australia

What is iLabs?What is iLabs?

Jesús del AlamoJesús del Alamo Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyMassachusetts Institute of Technology

Motivation for iLabsMotivation for iLabs There is enormous educational value in

hands-on laboratory experiences

But, conventional labs… … are expensive and have complex logistics … can’t easily be shared

iLabs: real laboratories

accessed through the

Internet from anywhere at

any time

iLabs at MITiLabs at MIT

Microelectronics device characterization (EECS, deployed 1998)

Shake Table (Civil Eng., deployed 2004)

Dynamic signal analyzer (EECS, deployed 2004)

Polymer Crystallization (Chem. E., deployed 2003)

Heat exchanger (Chem. Eng., deployed 2001)

ELVIS (EECS, deployed 2006)

Spectrometer (Nuclear Eng., deployed 2008)

Force on a Dipole (Physics, deployed 2008)

Microelectronics Device Microelectronics Device Characterization iLabCharacterization iLab

Microelectronics Device Microelectronics Device CharacterizationCharacterization

Since 1998 Measurement of DC current-voltage

characteristics of microelectronics devices (and small circuits)

Used in three different courses at MIT: 6.002 Circuits and Electronics

2nd year mandatory “core” subject, EECS 6.012 Electronic Devices and Circuits

3rd year “header” subject, EECS 6.720J/3.43J Integrated Microelectronic

Devices Graduate subject, EECS+DMSE

Typical Assignment: Typical Assignment: Microelectronic Device Microelectronic Device Characterization ProjectCharacterization Project

Four step process:

1.Using iLab GUI: Measure DC I-V device characteristics Graph results

2.Download data to student’s computer

3.Using MATLAB or EXCEL: Extract device parameters Construct model based on theory presented in class Compare with measurements, discuss

4.Freely explore other modes of operation…

FindingsFindings iLab experiences can significantly enhance iLab experiences can significantly enhance

learninglearning For iLab educational experiences to be effective:For iLab educational experiences to be effective:

system has to work well, specially under peak system has to work well, specially under peak load conditionsload conditions

system must allow free exploration and making system must allow free exploration and making mistakesmistakes

clear documentation and tutorials are essentialclear documentation and tutorials are essential Several small assignments more effective than few Several small assignments more effective than few

large projectslarge projects Students find difficulty in handling real-world dataStudents find difficulty in handling real-world data

offline, post-measurement portion of offline, post-measurement portion of assignment critical to learning experienceassignment critical to learning experience

iLabs in 6.002iLabs in 6.002

DC

Time domain

Frequency domain

iLab CapacityiLab Capacity

System capacity: > 2,000 users/week > 15,000 experiments/week

exercise out on Friday exercise due on Friday

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10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Weblab Jobs Per Hour

0:0012:00

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Friday Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

Oct. 13-20, 2000 (~100 students)

MIT

ITESM

MakerereUDSM

OAU

Parma

NUS

NTU

CCU Taipei

iLabs has been used by 19 universities on five continents.

Chalmers

Queensland

Portland

Cairo

DLUT AUB

iLabs Use Around the WorldiLabs Use Around the World

CMU

Pavia

Mauritius

Deusto

iLabs: the OpportunitiesiLabs: the Opportunities Order of magnitude more laboratories Order of magnitude more laboratories

available to our studentsavailable to our students Unique labs: Unique labs:

Unusual locations, expensiveUnusual locations, expensive

equipment, rare materialsequipment, rare materials

Rich pedagogical experiences:Rich pedagogical experiences: More lab time for studentsMore lab time for students GUI to lab integrating graphing, simulation, GUI to lab integrating graphing, simulation,

collaboration, tutoringcollaboration, tutoring

Worldwide communities of scholars created Worldwide communities of scholars created around labs sharing contentaround labs sharing content

http://www.cameco.com/common/images/u101/reactor2.jpg

iLabs: the ChallengesiLabs: the Challenges

Developing an iLab from scratch is a lot of Developing an iLab from scratch is a lot of work!work! Great attention needed to user scalabilityGreat attention needed to user scalability Needs to be done by domain specialistNeeds to be done by domain specialist

Managing a broadly shared iLab is also a lot Managing a broadly shared iLab is also a lot of work!of work! Disincentive for owner to share labDisincentive for owner to share lab

Key challenge: Key challenge: iLab ScalabilityiLab Scalability

Goals of iLabs project at MITGoals of iLabs project at MIT

To demonstrate the pedagogical potential of To demonstrate the pedagogical potential of iLabs in science & engineering educationiLabs in science & engineering education

To develop a scalable framework to:To develop a scalable framework to: Ease the development of new iLabsEase the development of new iLabs Facilitate iLab managementFacilitate iLab management Enable worldwide sharing of iLabsEnable worldwide sharing of iLabs

Original creator: Lane Brooks (then Junior in Original creator: Lane Brooks (then Junior in EECS), built working prototype in 6 months!EECS), built working prototype in 6 months!

10 years ago…10 years ago…

The iLabs ArchitectureThe iLabs Architectureview from above …view from above …

Jud HarwardJud Harward Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyMassachusetts Institute of Technology

iLabs Experiment TypologyiLabs Experiment Typology2 Waves of Development2 Waves of Development

Batched Experiments (2003-2005):Batched Experiments (2003-2005): The entire specification of the experiment is The entire specification of the experiment is

determined before execution begins.determined before execution begins. The user need not remain online while The user need not remain online while

experiment executes.experiment executes.

Interactive Experiments (2004-2008):Interactive Experiments (2004-2008): The student client portrays virtual lab The student client portrays virtual lab

equipment (GUI).equipment (GUI). The student can interact with experiment The student can interact with experiment

throughout its course.throughout its course.

Lab Server

iLab Batched ArchitectureiLab Batched Architecture

Service BrokerClient

Campus network Internet

University Databases

• Special purpose system specific to an experiment• Developed by domain specialist• No user management here• Verifies experiment before execution

Lab Server

iLab Batched Architecture iLab Batched Architecture

Service BrokerClient

Campus network Internet

University Databases

• GUI to lab• Embodies pedagogical experience• Developed by domain specialist• Contains generic modules that are recycled: i.e. graphing, collaboration

Lab Server

iLab Batched Architecture iLab Batched Architecture

Service Broker

Client

Campus network Internet

University Databases

• Serves client to student’s computer• Mediates between Client and Lab Server• Performs generic functions: user management,

data storage• Single signon access to many labs• Managed by and located at end user University

iLab Architecture: iLab Architecture: development responsibilitiesdevelopment responsibilities

Service BrokerLab Server

Client

Campus network Internet

University Databases

Lab provider: • develops Lab Server and Client • can customize modules developed at MIT• registers them with Service Brokers

• provides generic functionality• developed by MIT, open source• has well defined web services interfaces

iLab Architecture:iLab Architecture:management responsibilitiesmanagement responsibilities

Service Broker Lab ServerClient

Campus network Internet

University Databases

Lab provider:• manages Lab Server• sets lab policy• manages groups, not individual users

End-user institution:• manages Service Broker• manages users (registration, authentication)• responsible for user data (storage, archiving)

iLab Batched ArchitectureiLab Batched ArchitectureiLab Batched ArchitectureiLab Batched Architecture

Batched vs. Interactive ExperimentsBatched vs. Interactive Experiments

The student observes and controls The student observes and controls interactive experiments in real time.interactive experiments in real time.

Execution takes longer than in the batched Execution takes longer than in the batched case, and users usually want to schedule case, and users usually want to schedule their use.their use.

The interactive architecture does not scale The interactive architecture does not scale as well as the batched because as well as the batched because experiments take longer to run.experiments take longer to run.

Monitoring and controlling the experiment Monitoring and controlling the experiment in real time requires more bandwidth.in real time requires more bandwidth.

Batched vs. Interactive Batched vs. Interactive Experiments, 2Experiments, 2 An interactive experiment client will usually An interactive experiment client will usually

want to connect to the Lab Server directly want to connect to the Lab Server directly whereas the batched client only connects whereas the batched client only connects through the Service Brokerthrough the Service Broker

Service Broker

Lab Client Lab Server

XNo Direct Communication

Interactive ExperimentInteractive ExperimentBatched ExperimentBatched Experiment

Interactive Experiment Interactive Experiment TopologyTopology

Service Broker

Lab Client 1

Lab Server

ClientsideCampus

LabsideCampus

User-sideScheduling Service

Storage Service

Service Broker

Lab-sideScheduling Service

Lab Manager

Lab Client 2

Force on a DipoleForce on a DipoleDemoDemo

John BelcherJohn Belcher Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyMassachusetts Institute of Technology

Force on a Dipole ExperimentForce on a Dipole Experiment

The UQ StoryThe UQ Story

Mark SchulzMark Schulz University of Queensland, AustraliaUniversity of Queensland, Australia

UQ & iLabs: The BeginningUQ & iLabs: The Beginning

Keynote for Teaching and Learning Week at UQ

?? Experiments for High School Students ??

Slotted-Line experiment in EM

Inverted Pendulum experiment in control engineering

(Didn’t Happen)

Was the Inverted Pendulum Was the Inverted Pendulum Experiment a “Success”?Experiment a “Success”?

Was the Inverted Pendulum Was the Inverted Pendulum Experiment a “Success”?Experiment a “Success”?

Will Other Faculty Follow?Will Other Faculty Follow?

PV Array

Dynamometer

Embedded Systems

FPGA Digital Design

EE Will!

Will Non-EE Will Non-EE Follow?Follow?

Virtual Microscope

Coastal Engineering

Vet Science & Image Processing

What about the secondary What about the secondary schools?schools?

Before iLabs, this was the 1st Year Physics experiment ..

Now, it starts to look different.

How does this look live (an engineering view, not the student view)?

What can the students do with the results?

UQ & iLabs: The FutureUQ & iLabs: The Future

iLabs motivated the mindset change from LabVIEW for Engineering to LabVIEW Everywhere @ UQ

Fluid Mechanics (Chem Eng): Falling Particle DetectionPrototype took 4 hoursQuestion from staff: Where’s iLabs access?

Recent Example:

A Perspective from OAUA Perspective from OAU

Kunle KehindeKunle Kehinde Obafemi Awolowo University, Obafemi Awolowo University,

NigeriaNigeria

OAU’s Involvement in iLabsOAU’s Involvement in iLabs

In a Nutshell, We HaveIn a Nutshell, We Have

Used MIT iLabsUsed MIT iLabs Developed new iLabsDeveloped new iLabs Contributed a few ideasContributed a few ideas Introduced iLabs to other Nigerian Introduced iLabs to other Nigerian

universities.universities. Used iLabs to enhance curriculum reviewUsed iLabs to enhance curriculum review

Lab DevelopmentLab Development OAU Op-Amp LabOAU Op-Amp Lab

An operational amplifier iLab using NI ELVISAn operational amplifier iLab using NI ELVIS

Used NI switch array to allow student reconfigure Used NI switch array to allow student reconfigure circuitscircuits

Hardware controlled via NI DAQmx C++/C# functionsHardware controlled via NI DAQmx C++/C# functions

Lab DevelopmentLab Development OAU Op-Amp Lab (contd)OAU Op-Amp Lab (contd)

Uses a C# client, a non-standard Service Broker, and Uses a C# client, a non-standard Service Broker, and a modified Servera modified Server

““non-standard SB” because we initially could not non-standard SB” because we initially could not get the SB to relay pass-though API calls between get the SB to relay pass-though API calls between client and Server. Now resolved.client and Server. Now resolved.

Experiment engine written in C++ originally; now re-Experiment engine written in C++ originally; now re-written in C#written in C#

Lab DevelopmentLab Development OAU LogicLab 4OAU LogicLab 4

Simple circuits with switching matrices allows students Simple circuits with switching matrices allows students to carry out simple experiments on digital electronicsto carry out simple experiments on digital electronics

Has gone through quick evolution of the circuit under Has gone through quick evolution of the circuit under test (hence, now called “LogicLab 4”)test (hence, now called “LogicLab 4”)

Interface and experiment engine written in C#Interface and experiment engine written in C#

Lab Development Lab Development Work in progress Work in progress

ADL/FPGA LabADL/FPGA Lab Allows students to work with an Altera FPGA Allows students to work with an Altera FPGA

board, with FPGA exposing varying levels of board, with FPGA exposing varying levels of complexity to different levels of studentscomplexity to different levels of students

VHDL command-line interface tested. Work VHDL command-line interface tested. Work ongoing on GUI/drag-and-drop interfaceongoing on GUI/drag-and-drop interface

Robot Arm Control LabRobot Arm Control Lab Allows students to manipulate a robot arm Allows students to manipulate a robot arm Use this to expose various Control Use this to expose various Control

Engineering ideasEngineering ideas

A Few Contributions From UsA Few Contributions From Us InterfacesInterfaces

We have always focused on interfacesWe have always focused on interfaces Example of interface ideas we have tested: Example of interface ideas we have tested:

the OpAmp Lab requires students to the OpAmp Lab requires students to connect nodes before running experimentconnect nodes before running experiment

A Few Contributions From Us-2A Few Contributions From Us-2 Interfaces (contd)Interfaces (contd)

Another interface idea: we realized that Another interface idea: we realized that schematics-based interfaces may not be a schematics-based interfaces may not be a proper metaphor for a “remote proper metaphor for a “remote LABLAB”. Real ”. Real labs look more like our new Op Amp Lab labs look more like our new Op Amp Lab interface:interface:

A Few Contributions From Us-3A Few Contributions From Us-3 Server InstallerServer Installer

Setting up the Server was always problematic for us Setting up the Server was always problematic for us until we developed an installer that automatically until we developed an installer that automatically generates and populates SQL tables and re-generates and populates SQL tables and re-compiles source code files with login info. compiles source code files with login info.

Computer-Based Video TutorialsComputer-Based Video Tutorials We recently completed the first in a series of video We recently completed the first in a series of video

tutorials on iLabs which we plan to make freely tutorials on iLabs which we plan to make freely available to the entire iLabs communityavailable to the entire iLabs community

Switching Matrix ServerSwitching Matrix Server We have developed a Web Services base scheme We have developed a Web Services base scheme

whereby multiple iLabs can share the same NI whereby multiple iLabs can share the same NI switch array card. switch array card.

Introducing theIntroducing theMIT Reactor iLabMIT Reactor iLab

Phil LongPhil Long Massachusetts Institute of Technology Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Nuclear Nuclear Spectroscopy Spectroscopy

iLabiLab

Nuclear Reactor iLabNuclear Reactor iLab

Experiments in Neutron ScienceExperiments in Neutron Science

1.1. Demonstration of a Thermal Neutron Demonstration of a Thermal Neutron BeamBeam

2.2. Demonstration of the DeBroglie Demonstration of the DeBroglie wavelength through Time-of-Flight wavelength through Time-of-Flight ExperimentExperiment

3.3. Demonstration of Bragg diffractionDemonstration of Bragg diffraction

4.4. Demonstration of Neutron Scattering Demonstration of Neutron Scattering and Absorptionand Absorption

Target Audience and Target Audience and Educational ImpactEducational Impact

Secondary schoolsSecondary schools advanced physics and chemistry courses advanced physics and chemistry courses

incorporate iLabs into their current curriculaincorporate iLabs into their current curricula Undergraduate and graduate coursesUndergraduate and graduate courses

without access to neutron sourceswithout access to neutron sources Outreach to students in countries without Outreach to students in countries without

nuclear technologies nuclear technologies in conjunction with MIT partnerships e.g., in conjunction with MIT partnerships e.g.,

Singapore, Cambridge-UK, and PortugalSingapore, Cambridge-UK, and Portugal

iLab in the FutureiLab in the Future

Phil LongPhil Long Massachusetts Institute of Technology Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The Future of iLabsThe Future of iLabs

An iLabs An iLabs ConsortiumConsortium

International International PartnershipsPartnerships

iLabs in K-12 iLabs in K-12 educationeducation

Sustainability- Moving to Sustainability- Moving to an iLab Consortiuman iLab Consortium

Higher EdHigher Ed

Commerce/IndustryCommerce/Industry

Foundation Foundation Non-Profit & Non-Profit &

Govt.Govt.

K-12K-12

Building a micro-economy Building a micro-economy of shared experimentsof shared experiments

Building a Consortium - Building a Consortium - Starting FocusedStarting Focused Initial partners need for a consortium include: Initial partners need for a consortium include:

University of Queensland (Australasian), University of Queensland (Australasian), Obefemi Awolowo University (Africa), Obefemi Awolowo University (Africa), MIT (North America), MIT (North America), National InstrumentsNational Instruments And….???And….???

Rely on hub partners for expanding the range of Rely on hub partners for expanding the range of iLabsiLabs

Rely on hub partners for training on iLabs Rely on hub partners for training on iLabs technology, localizations and translations of technology, localizations and translations of documentationdocumentation

MIT’s role -insureMIT’s role -insure architecture architecture remains current & remains current & continues to developcontinues to develop

MCCD - Maricopa MCCD - Maricopa Community College Community College DistrictDistrict

ITESM - Tecnologico ITESM - Tecnologico de Monterreyde Monterrey

URI - University of URI - University of Rhode IslandRhode Island

Unicamp - Unicamp - Universidade del Universidade del Estado do Saul PaoloEstado do Saul Paolo

University of University of CambridgeCambridge

BITS- PilaniBITS- Pilani CORE - China Open CORE - China Open

resources for resources for EducationEducation

NTNU - National NTNU - National Technological Normal Technological Normal UniversityUniversity

CCU - Cheng Chang CCU - Cheng Chang UniversityUniversity

Makerere UniversityMakerere University University of Dar es University of Dar es

SalaamSalaam

Future Consortium Members?Future Consortium Members?

MCCDMaricopa Community

College District

UNICAMPUniversidade de Estadial

de Campinas

University of

Cambridge

CCUChung Chen University

UQUniversity of Queensland

ITESMTecnologico de Monterrey

NTNUNational Technological

Normal University

COREBeijing

URIUniversity of Rhode

Island

BITS-Pilani

Africa iLabs

High Schools High Schools Windward SchoolWindward Schoolllinois Math & Science Academyllinois Math & Science AcademyQueensland Academy of Math Science & TechnologyQueensland Academy of Math Science & Technology

Some Consortium Some Consortium Principles (for discussion)Principles (for discussion) Consortium should be open to all interested Consortium should be open to all interested

willing to participatewilling to participate Consortium distributes responsibility for Consortium distributes responsibility for

development, pedagogy, and policy.development, pedagogy, and policy. Consortium should eventually lead Consortium should eventually lead

evolution of iLab Shared Architecture evolution of iLab Shared Architecture through committee structurethrough committee structure

Consortium should retain open source Consortium should retain open source approach for reference implementations but approach for reference implementations but allow compliant proprietary versionsallow compliant proprietary versions

iLabs in K-12iLabs in K-12

A new NSF funded project with A new NSF funded project with Northwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Possible uses of iLabs in Possible uses of iLabs in OpenCourseWare for Secondary OpenCourseWare for Secondary EducationEducation

ConclusionsConclusions

iLabs has the potential to enhance science and engineering education

iLabs and their educational content can be broadly shared around the world

iLabs provide a path for the developed world to support education in the developing world

iLabs Architecture: scalable framework to support iLab dissemination around the world

““If You Can’t Come to the Lab… If You Can’t Come to the Lab… the Lab Will Come to You!”the Lab Will Come to You!”

(Earth at 89 GHz; courtesy of J. Grahn, Chalmers U.)