Microcomputer-Based Laboratory (MBL) system with automated measuring approach for basic electronics

Abstract

Basic electronics experiments are essential in providing fundamental foundation in electronics. Hence, this work proposes an automated measuring microcomputer-based laboratory (MBL) system specifically for basic electronics and instrumentations experiments in pre-university level. Development process including hardware and software (module) will be discussed in details. Developed gadget utilizes Phidget Interface Kit and sensors for realtime data acquisition of voltage and current and sending it through USB (Universal Serial Bus) to personal computer (PC). LabVIEW used as the graphical interface to control data acquisition and analization. MBL module has been designed to represent the data interactively on the computer screen as well as an interactive laboratory teaching kit. Furthermore, voltage and current measurement were successfully merged with on-board electronics components for simplified experimental setup. This system was designed to be compatible with two types of sensors. It provides two input channel and also can be utilized as an oscilloscope on the computer screen. At low development cost, this sleek and compact system is expected to enhance student’s performances and attitudes towards the laboratory work in basic electronics. This claim will be validated later and it will be included as a future work

Keywords: Basic Electronics, Instrumentation, Microcomputer-Based Laboratory (MBL) Sensors