Virtual Intelligent SoftLab : A Software Solution for Laboratories

B. Y. Kathane Lecturer MCA Department VMV Commerce, JMT Arts and JJP Science College, Wardhaman Nagar, Nagpur - 440008
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About SOFTLAB

SoftLab is capable of completing the circuit to study characteristics of Devices. SoftLab removes all physical instruments and performs basic operation with devices. SoftLab provides the capability to complete the circuit using virtual instruments. Virtual SoftLab can benefit thousands of students and professors to learn difficult experiments. The Virtual laboratory will bridge physical distance and availability of resources. Today it is possible to design good experiments among students for better learning.
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Why SOFTLAB

Electronics devices and the lack of resources make us unable to perform experiments. Web-based and video-based courses address the issue of teaching to some extent. Performing experiments with devices are more costly. Internet and computer technologies provide limitations with researchers to improve their skill and knowledge.
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Users for SoftLab

Virtual SoftLab Can used by Colleges to perform practical using SoftLab

Institute teach the student with different visual concepts Research student perform their experiments with different devices. Students can read and perform their task on classroom.
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For Students
Experiment

with electronics component safely and independently classroom exercises to improve understanding with electronics devices. classroom laboratories in your own

Supplement

Visual

home.
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For Teachers

Visual experiments for your lectures. Homework for students. Virtual laboratory exercises. Opportunities for independent exploration for your highly motivated students. Animated visualization for your struggling students.
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For Researcher
Study

of existing experiments.

New

Research with virtual SoftLab.

Tools and Technology

Platform

as Windows OS as Visual Basic /Java as MS-Access / Oracle

Front-end

Back-end

SoftLab MODEL

We have constructed the programs in Visual Basic and MS-Access for database This model is fully visualized on the screen. This model demonstrate the activities of Experiments visually. Inputs accepted throw Virtual Inputs and virtual output will observe on screen.
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Design and Development

The following basic operations have been considered.

Circuit Connection: Draw the circuit diagram using virtual logic instruments with mouse click. Test Circuit: Push button helps you to verity the circuit. Set Inputs: set all possible Virtual Input and Observed Outputs. Help: Circuit Connection Help, Procedure, Results and Purpose of the experiment is available

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Implementations
The Circuit Connection Steps are Connect AC socket Board to DC Converter Device Connect DC power supply socket to IC VCC pin Connect Ground Socket to IC Ground Pin Connect Output IC pin to Output display switches Connect Input IC pin to Input switches Experiment Implementation Steps are Made connection to selection two switches using mouse Click on Check Button to verify the connection Click on Reset Button if the connection is totally WRONG Click on Help Button if you need Connection HELP Click on Menu Button if you want to perform other 11 Experiments

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RESULTS
Virtual outputs are totally animated with the combination of hardware/software and observed actual outputs virtually.

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Benefits of using virtual laboratories

Allows optimum use of real practical time Allows students to try things out and make mistakes without using costly consumables or instruments Allows students to use equipment without any physical or logical damages. Excellent for teaching experimental design Assessment to students

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Limitations
Environment

changes not affect to characteristics of devices of hardware reduces.

Knowledge

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Available Models
Virtual Intelligent SoftLab for Logic Gates Boolean Algebra Combinational Circuits 7-Segment Display K-Maps Flip-flops Multiplexer De-multiplexer PN Junction Characteristics Diode Characteristics

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CONCLUSIONS

SoftLab will help Electronics, Computer Science and Engineering department students to perform and practice experiments to improve their understanding of the subject. Virtual Labs is designed in such a way that its made more effective and realistic by providing virtual inputs and product virtual outputs. For the 'touch and feel' part, the students can possibly visit an actual laboratory
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REFERENCES

[1] Virtual Labs : http://www.vlab.co.in/ [2] Virtual Labs at IIT Guwahati : http://www.iitg.ernet.in/cet/home_listexperime nts .html [3] http://www.virginia.edu/ Lcontents.html [4] A Virtual Laboratory : http://www.virtlab.com/main.aspx [5] Magazine : Electronics for you, Jan-Dec. 2009 [6] SoftLab - A Virtual Laboratory for Computational Science 1 (1980), By CM Hoffman
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Thank You

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