Jack, H., Karlesky, M., “Network Facilitated Equipment Control”, presented at the Michigan Space Grant Consortium conference, Ann Arbor, MI, Oct., 1997.

Network Facilitated Equipment Control

H. Jack, M. Karlesky, Padnos School of Engineering, Grand Valley State University, www.aml.gvsu.edu

1. (hugh) to show the strategic value of remote equipment

2. (hugh) to describe the mode of use

3. (mike) to describe the implementation

Access

• people and equipment are in different locations (safety or convenience)

• allows many people access to limited equipment (no limited standing room)

• allows equipment to be monitored without a visit (speed)

• users don’t have to monopolize equipment (hot seating)

Coordination

• two or more pieces of separated machines work together (increased organization)

• data collected and fused (understanding)

Enhancements

• error trapping

• simulation

• result tracking

• homogeneous interface

• consider a student using a robot (24 hours a day)

• the general structure

- web servers in lab on Windows NT and Linux

- there are a number of computers throughout the lab connected by ethernet.

- control of devices in the lab is distributed over machines using TCP/IP, NFS, HTTP, etc.

• a video link provides a window into the lab

• simulation is done using VRML for graphics, and Java for animation

• Java and JavaCC is also used to parse and interpret programs