Labs in NCSLab

A feedback control system wherein the control loop is closed through a real-time network is known as a networked control system (NCS). The Networked Control System Lab (NCSLab) is an Internet based laboratory that integrates various test rigs and experimental facilities of control systems around the world. Many classical, modern and advanced real-time control system simulations and experiments can be carried out in NCSLab through the Internet.

NCSLab was designed by the Advanced Control and Network Technology Research Unit in the University of Glamorgan, UK and was launched in November 2006. The collaborators of NCSLab are the Institute of Automation in the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Department of Automation in Tsinghua University and School of Information Science and Engineering in the Central South University.

Currently, there are three control system sub-labs in NCSLab:

  • Servo System Lab
  • Water Tank Lab
  • MagLev System Lab

Servo System Lab
A servo control system is widely used in practice to move a specific load or track a target in a controlled fashion. The system can employ either electric, pneumatic, hydraulic, or electromechanical actuation technology. The Servo System Lab will cover various types of servo control system rigs. Several control methods, e.g., networked predictive control, PI control etc., have been implemented for real-time control in this servo control system lab. Now, the UoG servo system rig is available in this lab.

MagLev System Lab
The MagLev system is an ideal tool for demonstration of magnetic levitation phenomena. This is a classic control problem used in many practical applications such as transportation - magnetic levitated trains, using both analogue and digital solutions to maintain a metallic bass in an eletromagnetic filed.

Water Tank Lab
The Water Tank system is an unique medium for the student to study the theory and appplication of process control systems. It introduces to the student all phases of process control system development and advanced control methods. Various control methedologies, e.g., PID control, fuzzy control, model predictive control can be implemented easily on the water tank systems.