Research in Engineering Education Symposium 2011 - rees2009

Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM) Página 883 de 957
Novel Hybrid Training Tool Based on Experimental Projects in Electronic
Engineering Education.
Francisco Javier Maseda
fcjavier.maseda@ehu.es
Universidad de Pais Vasco, Bilbao
Spain
Itziar Martija
itziar.martija@ehu.es
Universidad de Pais Vasco, Bilbao
Spain
Irene Martija
irene.martija@ehu.es
Universidad de Pais Vasco, Bilbao
Spain
Abstract: This paper describes a novel hybrid electric machine and power
electronic training tool (EM&PETT) for enhancing the uses of experimental
laboratories for education in electronic engineering. The EM&PETT is developed
to help increasing electronic engineering students’ motivation for studying in
areas of power electronic converters and electric machine control. The scheme
proposed is to create a control system divided in open modular blocks, all of
these hardware and software blocks are accessible, without “black” boxes. The
students can redesign any of these blocks and introduce them into the original
system, which are then tested through the use of virtual and real tools. The
possibility of introducing parameters and variables that are difficult to manage
in commercial equipment promotes an increase in academic proficiency. The
proposed training tool is integrated in a hybrid virtual-experimental laboratory
platform, within which students can share on-line theoretical information and
practical experiences.
Introduction
Feisel and Rosa (2005) analyze the responsibility of the experimental laboratory knowhow
as a fundamental part of engineering education. The significance of these educational
environments is unquestionable and in recent years different publications, (Peterson and
Feisel, 2002; Lazar and Carari, 2008; Jara, Candelas, et al., 2009; Shih and Hwang, 2010),
have proposed innovative solutions to enhance experimental training in virtual and
remote laboratories.
Over the years there has been an increase in problems related with the cost of power
electronic experimental laboratories, the high ratio of students to professor and safety
issues associated with the high voltages and currents present in electric energy
converters. For example, Shirsavar, Potter, and Ridge (2006) propose a low cost and a low
power laboratory application for electric machine control. But in general, these problems
Proceedings of Research in Engineering Education Symposium 2011
Madrid, 4 th - 7 th October 2011