Internet-Enabled Remote Observation and Control of a Shake Table Experiment

Abstract

This paper describes a computational framework and the corresponding interfaces required to convert a shake table experiment for remote access including control, observation, and protection from misuse. The laboratory environment is expanded by this research to include remote controlling of the experiment, multiuser viewing, data storage, and download capabilities. The software technology selected for programming this application is LabVIEW and its real-time counterpart, LabVIEW RT. Practical and intuitive control panels coupled with easy to follow data flow block diagrams are made possible by using LabVIEW, which is also capable of handling the data acquisition. The setup in this laboratory environment connects an administrator-controlled host computer to a real-time board that controls the DAQ through a TCP/IP connection. The information sent and received through the DAQ card is processed by LabVIEW RT code embedded upon the real-time board. The information is then sent back to the host computer for saving, visualization, and distribution to remote clients. Data visualization is implemented through a graphical user interface that is intended to serve the functions of an oscilloscope for displaying the accelerations from both the table and the structure in real time. Physical visualization is made possible by way of a real-time video stream. Protection of the experimental system from unintended or accidental damage required sufficient safety protocols.