Remote Internet instrumentation for monitoring ocean data

During the 1990s video techniques were combined with virtual reality software over local area networks and the Internet to improve the quality of distance learning. Cal Poly Pomona has implemented the next generation distance learning technique we named the Global Laboratory Environment (GLEn) with support from the W. M. Keck Foundation. This environment allows users around the world to access and operate equipment over the Internet in real time. Unlike the previous generation of remote access over the Internet, this environment allows users to see the equipment in the laboratory or at a remote location to operate it without local intervention. The concept of having a laboratory made from equipment at multiple universities, at remote locations, or at industrial sites is now viable. It seems that the concept of the educational or research laboratory as we know it today is going to change dramatically. New alliances will be formed between different universities, government agencies, and with private companies whereby equipment can be shared. This concept is very important for some schools and companies since it means that schools, government agencies, or companies with equipment can share with schools and companies without equipment. In this paper is a discussion of how the Global Laboratory concept is implemented to enhance and expand the learning experience in our Ocean Engineering Program. A discussion of the initial problems that were encountered with implementing the equipment interaction over the Internet and the solutions found for those problems is presented. As result of this work we have identified what we believe will be the second generation of this concept and have already begun to develop the techniques and software that will be required. In attempting to implement this concept within an educational environment sets several limitations to the work. First the cost of implementing must be low at both the remote instrument location and the remote user's location. Secondly, the system must be easily accessible and easy to operate. This second requirement is necessary in an educational setting because students taking classes have very limited time to learn how to operate an instrumentation system before they move on to the next class. Thirdly, the system must be reliable and operate in real time. A solution to each of these problems has been derived. The typical costs for the needed software is about $150, the time to train to use the equipment is about 3 hours, the delay was measured to be in the range of less than 1 second to 5 seconds. so that they can access their instruments at any time and from anywhere in the world with a minimum cost requirement. Besides presenting the concept and system configurations, we report on using this laboratory concept with instrumentation developed by our students and implemented.