Laboratory in microprocessor control of electromechanical systems

This paper describes the laboratory facilities for a course on microprocessors in electromechanical systems. This course is designed to introduce mechanical engineers to basic concepts of microprocessor architectures, programming, and interfacing, with special focus on implementation of digital controllers for real-world electromechanical systems. Laboratory facilities at each lab station include a Pentium-based PC for code development and an 80188-based single board computer (SEC) for real-time embedded control. Since both the PC and the SEC have their own analog I/O capabilities, true distributed control is possible, with the PC acting as process monitor, plant simulator, or control supervisor, capable of downloading new controller setpoints to the SBC as process conditions change.