Development of remote laboratories using cloud architecture with web instrumentation

Remotely Accessed Laboratory (RAL) is an environment which enables students to interact with instruments to perform hardware-based experiments from distant locations. In this paper, we discuss an approach to design remote experiments by representing instruments in the internet as objects or resources. The technology used to implement the architecture on the web is based on SOAP and RESTful web services and cloud computing. An integrated remote microelectronic device characterization and parameter extraction experiment is presented as a case study using Agilent 4156C parameter analyzer along with LabVIEW software. This technology is most useful for developers of remote laboratory and management system for adding new experiments. From a student's perspective the output and the interface remain the same, but the developers have more flexibility in designing experiments.