Web-based trainer for electrical circuit analysis

A Web-based system for training electric circuit analysis is presented in this paper. It is centered on symbolic analysis techniques and it not only verifies the student's final answer, but it also trucks and couches him/her through all steps of his/her reasoning path. The system mimics homework assignments, enhanced by immediate personalized feedback. Evaluation data based upon a first trial indicate that this tool is a useful complement to the traditional training approach

Validation of symbolic expressions in circuit analysis e-learning

Symbolic circuit analysis is a cornerstone of electrical engineering education. Solving a suitable set of selected problems is essential to developing professional skills in the field. Anew method is presented for automatic validation of circuit equations representing a student's intermediate steps in the solving process. Providing this immediate feedback may strongly enhance the training effects. The new method was embedded in a Web-based e-learning system and has proved to be useful in circuit analysis training, both at an introductory level and for more advanced problems in analog electronics

Voltage Protection System for EHFEM Project

The EHFEM project aims to convert the energy generated by exercise in a gym to electrical power and transport said energy to the grid. At the top level, this project includes several components including: a voltage and current protection system, a DC-DC converter, and an inverter. This project improves upon past voltage protection systems [1] [2]. The DC-DC converter takes the user-generated energy from the elliptical trainer and passes it to the grid. The user can generate voltage spikes upwards of 100V, far above the current DC-DC converter’s maximum limit. The voltage protection circuit sits between the energy harvesting machine and the DC-DC converter and limits the voltage allowed across the converter. This ensures voltage spikes cannot overload and damage the energy harvesting mechanism. An inverter designed for solar cells expects current to increase as voltage decreases and places a dangerous demand on the DC-DC converter. [1] The voltage protection circuit works in conjunction with a current protection circuit to stabilize voltage and current outputs to the DC-DC converter and prevent any damage. In 2014, Byung Yoo and Sheldon Chu designed a DC-DC converter with an operating range of 6 - 51V. At the same time, Cameron Kiddoo and Eric Funsten designed a voltage protection system (VPS) to work within this range. Their design monitored the input voltage and diverted the power to ground when it exceeded 51V using an IGBT. This project proposes a VPS that operates both within the converter’s range and improves upon previous VPSs. The VPS regulates the incoming elliptical trainer voltage and passes it through five capacitors to filter out high frequency transients and power supply noises as well as to smooth out sharp spikes to produce a DC signal. When the elliptical voltage exceeds 51V, the output voltage at the source terminal of the transistor also reaches 51V, at which point the transistor stops the voltage from rising further. A high power PMOS and a power resistor ease the power dissipation requirement of the NMOS. Minimizing power loss as well as component count and size allows for an easily assembled system with a payback period of ten years at normal use

Load flow studies on stand alone microgrid system in Ranau, Sabah

This paper presents the power flow or load flow analysis of Ranau microgrid, a standalone microgrid in the district of Ranau,West Coast Division of Sabah. Power flow for IEEE 9 bus also performed and analyzed. Power flow is define as an important tool involving numerical analysis applied to power system. Power flow uses simplified notation such as one line diagram and per-unit system focusing on voltages, voltage angles, real power and reactive power. To achieved that purpose, this research is done by analyzing the power flow analysis and calculation of all the elements in the microgrid such as generators, buses, loads, transformers, transmission lines using the Power Factory DIGSilent 14 software to calculate the power flow. After the analysis and calculations, the results were analysed and compared

Work-in-Progress: Rapid Development of Advanced Virtual Labs for In-Person and Online Education

During the closure of K-12 schools and universities thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, many educators turned to web conferencing tools such as Zoom and WebEx to deliver online lectures. For courses with labs, some teachers provide recorded videos of real labs. Watching recorded lab videos is a passive experience, as the procedures and point of view are fixed, and students do not have any control of the lab and thus miss the opportunity to explore different options, including making mistakes that is important part of the learning process. One approach that holds great potential to enhance laboratory experience for online education is the use of computer-based modeling and simulation tools. Simulation based virtual laboratories emulate lab equipment and configurations in highly realistic 3D environments and can provide very effective learning experiences. While there exist limited interactive lab computer simulations for various subjects, their presentations are still very primitive and often lack realism and complexity. This paper presents methodologies and preliminary findings on rapid development of advanced virtual labs using modeling and simulation for in-person and online education. The importance of modeling and simulation has long been recognized by the scientific community and agencies such as DoD and NSF. However, high-quality simulations are not commonplace, and simulations have not been widely employed in education. Existing simulations for education lack interoperability and compatibility. While there are sporadic uses of computer-based simulations in education that were developed in a piecemeal fashion, there was never systematic development at an industry level for such purposes. Virtual lab development usually require substantial amount of effort and lack of systematic research on rapid virtual lab development hinders their wide use in education. This paper proposes a wholistic and systematic approach for addressing the issues in rapid lab simulation development from several perspectives, including rapid generation of virtual environment, integration of state-of-the-art industry leading software tools, advanced software design techniques that enables large scale software reuse, and innovative user interface design that facilitate the configuration and use of virtual labs by instructors and students. This paper will implement a virtual circuit lab that emulates a circuit lab for the course XXX offered at XXX University and will be used to elucidate the crucial methodologies for rapid virtual lab development. The virtual lab contains highly realistic visual renderings and accurate functional representations of sophisticated equipment, such as digital oscilloscopes, function generator, and digital multimeters, and authentic rendition of the lab space. The virtual lab allows advanced analog and digital circuit simulation by integrating the de-facto industry standard circuit simulation engine SPICE and Xspice, supporting the circuit labs in the course XXX. The Unity game engine is used to develop the front end of the virtual lab. Advanced software development methodologies will be investigated to facilitate software reuse and rapid development, e.g., the same simulation code can be used to support equipment manufactured by different vendors. The paper will also investigate the impact of fidelity of the virtual lab, e.g., equipment and lab room, on student learning outcomes and efficacy

Super connected jobs: understanding Australia’s future workforce

Connectivity, entrepreneurialism and a rising population will shape three million new jobs by 2030, argues a new study by Bernard Salt which has uncovered the distinct skill sets which represent Australia’s future jobs in the digital age. Developed by KPMG Demographics and commissioned by nbn, the Super connected jobs report explores how the potential for universal access to fast broadband can shape the future Aussie workforce and liberate employees from the confines of set working hours or places. It predicts significant growth and transformation in existing jobs such as beauty therapists and personal trainers as well as a changing perception for stereotypically ‘geek’ jobs such as computer programmers and high tech start-ups which will become less niche and more mainstream. Key findings include: Three million more jobs by 2030 – With three million new jobs since 2000, it is likely the Australian workforce will increase by another three million more workers in the next 15 years to 2030. There will be a growing emphasis on part-time working women work as well as longer careers for older workers. A culture of entrepreneurialism – The rise of new technology and digital disruption will facilitate a level of entrepreneurialism unlike ever before. This will influence the economy with the rise of ‘Silicon Cities and Beaches’ outside of metro areas, as more small and agile businesses pop-up with new ways to disrupt, improve and create value. It’s not only about ‘robot polishers’ – While the invention of the motorcar created jobs in car cleaning, future jobs won’t mean everyone suddenly enters the robot cleaning business. Jobs of the future will stem from what is in most demand due to changing skill sets, population increase and the potential for ubiquitous access to fast broadband via the nbn network. Connectivity the common thread – While digital disruption will create new business models, the majority of Australian job growth will come from ‘the jobs of today’. Connectivity will impact all types of jobs, even those not strictly in the technology space. New tools and new ways of communicating will influence all jobs of the future, no matter if you are a teacher, plumber, doctor or photographer. Author of the Super connected jobs report, demographer Bernard Salt said: “Australians are on the dawn of a disruptive ‘Uber-work’ era. Super connectivity made available via the nbn network will deliver a greater balance between work and lifestyle pursuits as we redefine how, when and where we will work. “We could also see the rise of new Silicon cities or beaches in regional hubs around the country as universal access to fast broadband drives a culture of entrepreneurialism and innovation outside our capital cities.” Who are the workers of the future? The Care Givers – includes support services such as social worker and personal services like beauty therapists, nannies and fitness instructors. A future Care Giver fitness instructor will pitch for work using an uber-like app and conduct group workouts via HD video-conferencing. The Technocrats – knowledge-workers who are highly skilled, highly trained and well-remunerated. The spectrum of jobs includes electrical engineers, medical researchers and business entrepreneurs. A future Technocrat could conduct an international collaboration via high speed broadband, to collaborate, develop and commercialise a research project. The Specialist Professions – knowledge-workers that maintain systems and deliver outcomes including accountants, dentists, urban planners and teachers. A future Specialist Professional such as a doctor will conduct more of their work remotely and use technology to diagnose and treat patients. The Doers – skilled jobs for those who ‘do’, such as plumbers, carpenters and electricians. No matter how much we automate, there will still be a requirement for waiters in the future. A future Doer will use technology to create new ways of communicating with clients, ordering materials, allocating work and processing payment. The Creatives – this group of workers is driven by what pleases as opposed to what delivers the best return on effort. Stylist, social media engineer, photographer and yoga instructor are all Creative jobs that in the future will draw on access to high speed broadband for inspiration, instant connections with peers and clients and hassle-free large data transfers

Energy Harvesting From Exercise Machines: LT8705 DC-DC Conversion for Elliptical Trainers

Cal Poly’s Energy Harvesting from Exercise Machines (EHFEM) program aims to power the grid using human energy harvested from exercise machines in its gym. Doing so could save the school money and increase the total supply of power available on the grid. This document belongs to one of many groups attempting to design a suitable DC-DC conversion system for an elliptical trainer using an LT8705 Four-Switch Buck-Boost converter. Past teams have built other converters and developed system compatibility characteristics such as filtering, safety, and stability for interfacing components. These teams fall into one of two departments in EHFEM: DC-DC Conversion or Input Protection Circuitry

Design of Control System Trainer Based on IoT as Electronic Learning Media for Natural Science Course

The development of controller system trainer based on Internet of Things (IoT) is one of the online learning media for practical activities that can motivate students in the natural science learning process so the student’s competence in learning can be achieved. One indicator of quality education is that their alumnus has a good knowledge, skills and attitudes. This study aims to develop an IoT-based trainer controller systems as a learning media in electronic 2 of natural science course. The trainer control system in this study used a website developed in accordance with the electronic 2 course which is connected to the trainers in the Electronic’s Laboratory via arduino uno microcontroller on trainer. This control system trainer is a development of basic physical law theory that emphasizes Kirchoff's laws using Maxwell's equations. Where the discussion in the electronics course 2 emphasizes the working principle of transistors. The research method used is the Research and Development (R&D) method with the product development model used is the Borg and Gall model. Product testing describes the design of assessment, type of data, data collection instruments and data analysis techniques. The instrument used in this study is a questionnaire for the material expert test and the media expert test. The data analysis technique used the content validity ratio (CVR) method. Based on the test result of material experts and media experts, the result of high validity was obtained. The result of blackbox testing get 100% results. Based on the test results, it can be concluded that the tool can work well which can remotely from a far using Arduino Mega and ESP8255 with the delay about 2 seconds. The test results for students' psychomotor skills get an average of 63.20 which means Good. So that this trainer control system can be used as a student independent learning media in natural science cours

Circuit simulators for circuit analysis in graduate engineering courses

Circuit simulators are extensively used as an aid in many courses at the graduate level in many different engineering and applied sciences programs. SPICE (Simulation Program with Integrated Circuits Emphasis) based software programs have been used for long due to their traditional market position. If we focus on circuits analysis and linear systems subjects, the features that are required from a given simulator can be found in student/limited versions of commercial EDA (Electronic Design Automation) suites or in freeware/open source codes. In this contribution, we analyse and compare the most revelant characteristics of a representative set of the software packages that are commonly adopted in these courses, focusing on the Spanish University system. For this purpose, the analysis (transient, DC and AC) of a typical second order passive low-pass filter is approached making use of each one. Then, we give some comments and recommendations, based on our own expertise, always taking into account the particular circumstances within a given academic scenario.http://ocs.editorial.upv.es/index.php/HEAD/HEAD18Cubells-Beltrán, M.; Reig, C. (2018). Circuit simulators for circuit analysis in graduate engineering courses. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/HEAD18.2018.803