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

Objectives:

 

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

2. (hugh) to describe the mode of use

3. (mike) to describe the implementation

 

 

 

Reasons for remote equipment

 

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

 

 

 

Mode of Use

 

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

 

 

 

 

The Implementation

 

• 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