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Remote Labs: A Method to Implement a Portable Logic Design Laboratory Infrastructure and to Provide Access to Modern Test Equipment

This Thesis explores building low cost and reliable portable laboratory infrastructure
platform for Logic Design, methods for allowing access to modern test equipment via
the internet, and issues related to academic integrity. A comprehensive engineering education,
per ABET, requires an equal emphasis on both lecture and laboratory components.
The laboratory experience builds and establishes a foundation of skills and experiences that
the student cannot obtain through any other means. The laboratory must use modern, pertinent methods and techniques including the use of appropriate tools. This is especially true
when it comes to test equipment. Engineering students require and deserve training on and
access to modern test equipment in order to obtain better career opportunities. However,
providing access to modern and relevant labs requires a significant budget commitment.
One way to extend current budgets is to adopt the growing concept of “remote labs.” This
approach allows higher utilization of existing (and costly) equipment, it improves an institution’s Return on Investment (ROI), and also can be used to meet the needs of students’
complicated schedules, especially in the case of a “commuter campus,” where a majority of
students live off campus. By developing remote labs, both the institution and the students benefit: Institutions increase equipment utilization, and utilize space, budgets and support
personnel more efficiently. Students can access a lab whenever and wherever they have
internet access. Finally, academic integrity must be protected to ensure the potential of
remote laboratories in education.
This Thesis presents a design and implementation plan for a low cost Logic Design
laboratory infrastructure built and tested over 3 years by over 1,500 Logic Design students;
a design and implementation of the infrastructure to include the ability to measure using
remote test equipment; and the design of a case (3d printed or laser cut) to encapsulate a
USB enabled micro-controller; and a scheme to ensure the academic integrity is maintained
for in-person, hybrid and fully online classes. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2018. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:fau.edu/oai:fau.digital.flvc.org:fau_40957
ContributorsWeinthal, Charles Perry (author), Petrie, Maria Mercedes Larrondo (Thesis advisor), Florida Atlantic University (Degree grantor), College of Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Computer and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
PublisherFlorida Atlantic University
Source SetsFlorida Atlantic University
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeElectronic Thesis or Dissertation, Text
Format170 p., application/pdf
RightsCopyright © is held by the author with permission granted to Florida Atlantic University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder., http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

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