AN EDUCATIONAL VIRTUAL INSTRUMENTATION

LABORATORY PLATFORM

David Augusto Rojas Vigo

Member, IEEE

Dirección de Investigación y Tecnología

Instituto Nacional Investigación y Capacitación en Telecomunicaciones
Universidad Nacional de Ingeniería, Lima – Perú
Some projects that I’m involved

Alpaca Sperm Classifier

Resultados
---------------------------

Estáticos 31%
Móviles 69%
Progresivos 50%

This project wad supported by “Consejo Superior de Investigaciones de la

UNMSM”
Some projects that I’m involved

Measurement of Alpaca Fiber Diameter

This project wad supported by “Consejo Nacional de Ciencia,Tecnología e

Innovación Tecnológica del Perú”
Some projects that I’m involved

Fingerprint Authentication using a DSP Processor

About INICTEL-UNI

The goal of INICTEL-UNI is to research, develop and conduct technology transfer to

other educational institutions, so that it is possible to have technology in
accordance with their resources and needs
The Problem…

Hardware Tools (Simulation) Software Tools (Emulation)

How to provide laboratory

experiences significant and
updated with limited
resources?

For laboratories:
▪ High cost
▪ Difficult maintenance/repair
▪ Proprietary technology/closed
▪ Low adaptability
▪ Fast obsolescence of equipment
Goal

Low-cost reusable common hardware/software platform for the emulation of

multiple electronic instrumentation systems in educational environments

Developed Approach
Open Source
Portability and adaptability
Linux, Windows, others OS
FPGA vendors and families
PP, USB, Serial, etc.
Open Hardware
Expansion of the potential users/developers base
Flexibility and Adaptability to wide variety of requirements

This project wad supported by “Consejo Nacional de Ciencia,Tecnología e

Innovación Tecnológica del Perú”.
Developed Design

The platform can be

seen as a interface
connected to a PC
through a standard port

High-level software
application
select a virtual
instrument and
configures the platform
Signal Generation Hardware

• Function Generators
2 analog, 1 digital

• Signal Selection Interface

including LCD and numeric keyboard.

• 2 Slots for external signal inputs

Acquisition/Support Hardware

• Analog Data Acquisition Board

2 channels

• Power Suppliers
For internal circuitry and lab experiments
Experimentation Boards

• Dedicated Printed Circuit Boards

• Boards used for laboratory

experiments

• Example Case:
Base-band Analog and Digital
Modulation Techniques
Experimentation boards (layout)

• Test points

• DIP switches

• Power-on lights

• 22-pin connector
Presentation Software

• Function Generators

• Oscilloscope

• Spectrum Analyzer

• Any other instrument

required and added by user

Data compatibility:

Excel, Matlab, Scilab, etc.

Presentation Software

• Web Tutorials and Manuals

• Applicative questions

Current users:

➢ Universidad Ricardo Palma

➢ Escuela Técnica del Ejercito

del Perú

➢ INICTEL – Universidad Nacional

de Ingeniería
Technical Features

Windows version:

Software: Visual Basic + Visual C++

Hardware: 300kHz bandwidth, 8 bits

Linux version:

Software: Phyton

Hardware: 1MHz bandwidth, 8 bits

Developing version:

Software: Based on Distributed laboratories

Hardware: FPGA-based instruments

Conclusions

• Low cost solution for universities and

research institutions in developing
countries
• This platform enables analysis in time-
domain and frequency of signals, as its
bandwidth allows the inclusion of their
experiments voice signals, music, etc.
• In addition, users can adapt to their
needs the GUI features, and include new
ones
• Currently being developed version open
software, as well as a hardware USB-port
communication with an bandwidth
improved
Other developments

RF Transmission Trainers ECG signal Acquisition and long

distances transmission

PIC Microcontroller Basic Electronics

Development Trainers Development Trainers
More information…

Javier Samaniego Manrique

Área de Tecnología de Acceso y Radiopropagación
INICTEL-UNI
jsaman@inictel.gob.pe

David Augusto Rojas Vigo

Área de Equipos Terminales Avanzados
INICTEL-UNI
drojasvigo@ieee.org