Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Object-Oriented Modelling of Virtual- Laboratories for Control Education

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Web-Based Control and Robotics Education

Part of the book series: Intelligent Systems, Control and Automation: Science and Engineering ((ISCA,volume 38))

  • 1155 Accesses

Abstract

Virtual-laboratories (virtual-labs, in short) provide a flexible and user-friendly method useful for defining the experiments to be performed on a mathematical model. Virtual-lab users are allowed to design and perform their own simulation experiments. As a result, they become active players in their own learning process, which motivates them to further learning. Virtual-labs can be used to explain basic concepts, to provide new perspectives of a problem, and to illustrate analysis and design topics.

Virtual-labs are typically composed of: (1) the simulation of the mathematical model describing the relevant properties of the system under study; (2) the interactive user-to-model interface, named the virtual-lab view; and (3) a narrative that provides information about the system under study and the virtual-lab use.

There exist several software tools specifically intended for the implementation of virtual-labs. These tools: (1) provide their own procedures to define the narrative, the model and the view of the virtual-lab; (2) guide the virtual-lab programmer in these tasks; and (3) automatically generate the virtual-lab executable code. Two of them are Sysquake and Easy Java Simulations (Ejs).

Sysquake [1–3] is a Matlab-like environment with strong support for interactive graphics. It is aimed for developing virtual-labs with batch interactivity. A Sysquake application typically contains several interactive graphics, which can be displayed simultaneously. These graphics contain elements that can be manipulated using the mouse. While one of these elements is being manipulated, the other graphics are automatically updated to reflect this change. The content represented by each graphic, and its dependence with respect to the content of the other graphics, is programmed using LME (an interpreter for numerical computation which is mostly compatible with Matlab). Sysquake can be extended by plug-ins and libraries of functions written in LME. Several virtual-labs for control education have been developed using Sysquake [4–7].

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Calerga: Sysquake user manual. http://www.calerga.com/doc/SQ4_main.htm (2008). Accessed 24 July 2008

  2. Y Piguet: Multimodel Synthesis of a Robust Polynomial Controller. Ph.D. dissertation, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland (1997)

    Google Scholar 

  3. Y Piguet, U Holmberg, R Longchamp: Instantaneous Performance Visualization for Graphical Control Design Methods. In Proceedings of the 14th IFAC World Congress, Beijing, China (1999)

    Google Scholar 

  4. JM Diaz, S Dormido, J Aranda: Interactive computer-aided control design using quantitative feedback theory: the problem of vertical movement stabilization on a high-speed ferry. Int. J. Contr. 78(11), 813–825 (2005)

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  5. JM Diaz, S Dormido, J Aranda: An interactive software tool for learning robust control design using quantitative feedback theory methodology. Int. J. Eng. Educ. 23, 1011–1023 (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  6. M Dimmler, Y Piguet: Intuitive Design of Complex Real-Time Control Systems. In Proceedings of the 11th IEEE International Workshop on Rapid System Prototyping, pp. 52–57 (2000)

    Google Scholar 

  7. Y Piguet, R Longchamp: Interactive Applications in a Mandatory Control Course. In Proceedings of the 7th IFAC Advanced Control Education (2006)

    Google Scholar 

  8. F Esquembre: Creación de Simulaciones Interactivas en Java. Aplicación a la Enseñanza de la Física. Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ (2004)

    Google Scholar 

  9. F Esquembre: Easy Java Simulations: a software tool to create scientific simulations in Java. Comput. Phys. Commun. 156, 109–204 (2004)

    Google Scholar 

  10. Ejs web-site: http://fem.um.es/Ejs/ (2008). Accessed 24 July 2008

  11. R Dormido, H Vargas, N Duro, J Sanchez, S Dormido Canto, G Farias, F Esquembre, S Dormido: Development of a Web-based control laboratory for automation technicians: the three-tank system. IEEE T. Educ. 51(1), 35–44 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. AM Hernandez, MA Mañanas, R Costa-Castelló: Learning respiratory system function in BME studies by means of a virtual laboratory: respilab. IEEE T. Educ. 51(1), 24–34 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. J Sanchez, F Esquembre, C Martin-Villalba, S Dormido, S Dormido-Canto, R Dormido-Canto, R Pastor, A Urquia: Easy Java Simulations: an open-source tool to develop interactive virtual laboratories using Matlab/Simulink. Int. J. Eng. Educ. 21(5), 798–813 (2005)

    Google Scholar 

  14. J Sanchez, S Dormido, F Esquembre: The learning of control concepts using interactive tools. Comput. Appl. Eng. Educ. 13(1), 84–98 (2005)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. KJ Astrom, H Elmqvist, SE Mattsson: Evolution of Continuous-Time Modeling and Simulation. In Proceedings of the 12th European Simulation Multiconference, Manchester, UK, pp. 9–18 (1998)

    Google Scholar 

  16. FE Cellier: Continuous System Modeling. Springer, New York (1991)

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  17. FE Cellier, E Kofman: Continuous System Simulation. Springer, London (2006)

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  18. P Piela, T Epperly, K Westerberg, A Westerberg: ASCEND: An object-oriented computer environment for modeling and analysis: the modeling language. Comput. Chem. Eng. 15(1), 53–72 (1991)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Empresarios Agrupados: EcosimPro Web. http://www.ecosimpro.com/index.php (2008). Accessed 27 July 2008

  20. P Barton, C Pantelides: Modeling of combined discrete/continuous processes. AIChE J. 40, 966–979 (1994)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. H Elmqvist, SE Mattsson, M Otter: Modelica-The New Object-Oriented Modeling Language. In Proceedings of the 12th European Simulation Multiconference (ESM ‘98). SCS, The Society for Computer Simulation, Manchester, UK (1998)

    Google Scholar 

  22. Modelica Association web-site: http://www.modelica.org (2008). Accessed 27 July 2008

  23. P Fritzson: Principles of Object-Oriented Modeling and Simulation with Modelica 2.1. Wiley-IEEE Press, Piscataway, NJ, (2004)

    Google Scholar 

  24. M Tiller: Introduction to Physical Modeling with Modelica. Kluwer, Dordrecht (2001)

    Google Scholar 

  25. IEEE: Standard VHDL Analog and Mixed-Signal Extensions. Technical Report IEEE 1076.1 (1997)

    Google Scholar 

  26. Dynasim AB: Dymola. User’s Manual. Version 5.3a. Dynasim AB, Lund, Sweden (2004)

    Google Scholar 

  27. V Engelson: Tools for Design, Interactive Simulation, and Visualization of Object-Oriented Models in Scientific Computing. Ph.D. dissertation, Department of Computer and Information Science, Linkoping University, Sweden (2000)

    Google Scholar 

  28. C Martin-Villalba, A Urquia, S Dormido: An approach to virtual-lab implementation using Modelica. Math. Comp. Model. Dyn. 14(4), 341–360 (2008)

    Google Scholar 

  29. C Martin-Villalba, A Urquia, S Dormido: Object-oriented modelling of virtual-labs for education in chemical process control. Comput. Chem. Eng. doi: 10.1016/j.compchemeng.2008.05.011, 32(12), 3176–3186 (2008)

    Google Scholar 

  30. C Martin-Villalba: Object-Oriented Modelling of Virtual-Laboratories for Control Education. Ph.D. dissertation, Department of Informática y Automática, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED), Madrid, Spain (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  31. Some Free Modelling & Simulation Resources Developed at Department of Informática y Automática, UNED: http://www.euclides.dia.uned.es Accessed 24 July 2008

  32. M Otter, H Olsson: New Features in Modelica 2.0. In Proceedings of the 2nd International Modelica Conference, Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany, pp. 7.1–7.12 (2002)

    Google Scholar 

  33. A Urquia: Modelado Orientado a Objetos y Simulación de Sistemas Híbridos en el ámbito del Control de Procesos Químicos. Ph.D. dissertation, Department of Informática y Automática, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED), Madrid, Spain (2000)

    Google Scholar 

  34. A Urquia, S Dormido: Object-oriented design of reusable model libraries of hybrid dynamic systems. Part two: A case study. Math. Comp. Model. Dyn. 9(1), 91–118 (2003)

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  35. MB Cutlip, M Shacham: Problem Solving in Chemical Engineering with Numerical Methods. Prentice-Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ (1999)

    Google Scholar 

  36. KJ Aström, T Hagglund: PID Controllers: Theory, Design and Tuning. ISA Press, NC (1995)

    Google Scholar 

  37. WF Ramirez: Computational Methods for Process Simulation. Butterworths, Boston, MA, USA (1989)

    Google Scholar 

  38. FE Cellier, A Nebot: The Modelica Bond-Graph Library. In Proceedings of the 4th International Modelica Conference, pp. 57–65 (2005)

    Google Scholar 

  39. M Weiner: Bond Graph Model of a Passive Solar Heating System. M.S. thesis, Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, University of Arizona, USA (1992)

    Google Scholar 

  40. M Weiner, FE Cellier: Modeling and Simulation of a Solar Energy System by Use of Bond Graphs. In Proceedings of the 1st SCS Internatinal Conference on Bond Graph Modeling, pp. 301–306 (1993)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Informática y Automática, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Informática, Universidad Nacional de Educacion a Distancia (UNED), Juan del Rosal 16, 28040, Madrid, Spain

    Carla Martin-Villalba, Alfonso Urquia & Sebastian Dormido

Authors
  1. Carla Martin-Villalba
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Alfonso Urquia
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Sebastian Dormido
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Carla Martin-Villalba .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. Electrical Engineering &, National Technical University, Athens, 157 80, Greece

    Spyros Tzafestas

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2009 Springer Science + Business Media B.V.

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Martin-Villalba, C., Urquia, A., Dormido, S. (2009). Object-Oriented Modelling of Virtual- Laboratories for Control Education. In: Tzafestas, S. (eds) Web-Based Control and Robotics Education. Intelligent Systems, Control and Automation: Science and Engineering, vol 38. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-2505-0_5

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-2505-0_5

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-90-481-2504-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-90-481-2505-0

  • eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation