M2PLab: A Pocket Laboratory with Unified and Flexible Framework Applied in Engineering Education

This paper contributes to the realization of a unified and flexible framework that can cover whole processes of a control system for learner-centered learning scenarios. It introduces the application of a pocket laboratory with a unified and flexible framework to engineering education at Wuhan University. The pocket laboratory, named M2PLab (Mathematics to Practice Laboratory), is successfully designed and implemented for experimental courses. Different from conventional pocket laboratories, the M2PLab system has advantages such as web-based plug-in free access, graphical algorithm design, simulation, code generation and monitor integration just to name a few. Considering the hardware cost, size and computing performance, the M2PLab system is deployed into the hardware of Raspberry Pi. Due to the small size of Raspberry Pi, the pocket laboratory can be carried into student dormitories or somewhere else to conduct experiments at any time. In this paper, a pocket laboratory package including a Raspberry Pi, a compact test rig and cables is assigned to each student to finish experiments of Automatic Control Theory course. After the experiments, students were asked to fill out a satisfaction survey about the experience of the use of the pocket laboratory. Students' feedback verifies the effectiveness of the pocket laboratory.