Performing experiments at remote locations using the Internet

A system was developed two years ago in which students could perform experiments by remote control via the Internet. The prototype enabled students in a laboratory in Liverpool in the UK to perform experiments using equipment that was in a laboratory in Wismar in Germany. Similarly, students in Germany were able to control equipment in a laboratory in the UK. Although the prototype system was successful, it required the use of specialist software both in the laboratory in which the equipment was being controlled, and at the client site where the students were located. Furthermore the students could not see the actual equipment, as all they could see were mimic diagrams and virtual instruments. A more sophisticated arrangement has since been developed which only requires specialist equipment at the site where the equipment is located. At the client site, all that is required is a version of the Netscape browser that can accept Java script. Furthermore, a facility has been added which creates a window on-screen at the client PC through which the experiment can be viewed directly by means of a camera attached to the server.