Remote Control and Reconfiguration of Laboratories for Education and Training

Organizing practical courses and training clearly indicates a demand for remote training. This article describes the concepts of the BACnet (Building Automation Control Network) laboratory being set up by the authors. To allow effective learning the control network (fieldbus) as well as the inputs and outputs of the nodes attached to the laboratory environment must be accessible by the trainee. To achieve this goal a web based application which uses a VNC (Virtual Network Computing) server and a special I/O interfacing unit have been designed. Hence, trainees will be able not only to monitor and control the activities on the control network (the primary goal of the offered courses) but also will be able to see the effects of their activities on the laboratory environment.