A web-based laboratory on control of a two-degrees-of-freedom helicopter

Web-based laboratories are systems that enable students to conduct actual laboratory experiments anywhere at anytime via the Internet. The emergence of the web-based laboratories is an innovative advancement in engineering education and indicates the trend of distant learning. In this paper, we aim to exploit the philosophy and development of designing an efficient, secure and convenient web-based laboratory for a two-degrees-of-freedom (2DOF) helicopter. In particular, we will discuss issues related to the hardware and software structures, network communications, audio and video feedback as well as camera control systems of the web-based laboratory. We will also present the design and implementation of a series of linear and nonlinear controllers for the 2DOF helicopter through the web-based laboratory. The physical structure of the 2DOF helicopter makes it an ideal platform for implementing and evaluating control strategies such as proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control, fuzzy control and state space feedback control. The system is appropriate for all levels of university education and research. The web-based laboratory is currently being utilized in teaching both undergraduate and postgraduate courses in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the National University of Singapore. The system is particularly beneficial to part-time students, who are unable to access to the laboratory facilities during normal operating hours. Feedback and comments from the students are very positive. © 2005 TEMPUS Publications.