**2.2 Consideration of LABVIEW in remote laboratory application**

LABVIEW offers simple interfaces in form of graphical programming through Graphical User Interface (GUI) instead of text-based programming. The environment development of the project with front panel such as controls (known as input) to supply information to the VI, indicators (known as output) display the results based on the inputs given to the VI and block diagram to comprise of graphical block programming that applies data flow concept is known as virtual instruments (VIs).


#### **Table 1.**

*Subject area.*

Dataflow programming in LABVIEW executes the flow of data through the nodes on the block diagram in sequence order. The design of VIs will determine the block diagram structure based on function code, in which data flow through the interconnected wires. When all of its inputs are available to execute the function code, it supplies data to its output terminals and passes the output data to the next node in the dataflow direction. Most other text-based programming languages are executed by a block diagram node and adopt a data flow model of programme execution. The execution order of a programme is determined by the sequential order of programme elements in control flow. All the items on the front panel will appear as terminals on the back panel. The virtual Instrument Software Architecture (VISA) is used to interface standard I/O for instrumentation programming. To summarize, **Figure 3** depicts the key components as mentioned above that will be implemented as a remote monitoring system.

Various other studies of remote laboratory applications have been applied, such as in the field of physics [3], electronic sensors [4], vibrating beam [5], and rain gauge [6]. Previous researchers demonstrated various type of innovation in their remote learning. Galan D. et.al [7] have demonstrated the usefulness of conducting remote lab experiment for optical levitation that require proper setup to avoid harmful effect on the skin and eyes. Abreu P. et.al [8] have demonstrated the feasibility of

**69**

*Cost-Effective Interfaces with Arduino-LabVIEW for an IOT-Based Remote Monitoring…*

performing experiments and monitoring pressure parameters of a pneumatic system that comprises of valve and pneumatic cylinder. Moreover, other study on robotics application have also ventured into remote laboratory application. Such application was explored by Angulo I. [9] who successfully replicates actual robotics experiment remotely. Based on these literatures, to the best of author knowledge, similar replication in experimenting a temperature process that simulates industrial lab equipment has yet to be developed. The framework replication can be possibly addressed, nevertheless more study is required by considering factors such as number of parameters, existing equipment and the system integration with IOT platform. The integration of temperature process from the laboratory plant to the user device usually incurs high cost when outsourced to third party. **Table 2** summarizes the interfacing technique and data acquisition system that implemented in the remote monitoring development. This study mainly targeted on the framework development to integration the Arduino-LABVIEW by presenting proof-of-concept implementation of the IOT system using Blynk application platform. This work proposed the low-cost interfacing module as alternative, and with the available commercial and open software, development could be made relatively easier. Data acquisition with LABVIEW DAQ card have been explored to many applications in remote monitoring. However due to cost issue, another alternative with lower development cost is preferable. Considering Arduino board as cost-effective solution for transforming the system capable to perform remote monitoring, thus elevates value to the use of LABVIEW to remain relevant. Taking example of remote experimentation framework at low-cost development for a temperature process control which can be accessed via student's mobile devices, the interfacing technique to be proposed in this work will benefit other researchers as a reference point to design their own data acquisition system in future. Among all, the low-cost interfacing module have been studied in either for standalone or remote applications. Several previous works will present the current and latest interfaces used as data acquisition module to integrate between real applications to the LABVIEW. For a simple system, mostly adopted Arduino or

Raspberry Pi boards Arduino is the highest among all.

stood. The following are examples of such obstacles:

**2.3 Challenges and opportunities to real time execution in remote laboratory**

Despite the fact that LABVIEW integration with Arduino demonstrated compatibility and minimizing device costs, the challenge in terms of integration process from physical laboratory to remote laboratory remains the most challenging so far, without denying that such project implementation is possible. However, interface integration between systems can be accomplished successfully with less effort if the issue of implementing remote laboratory into functional implementation is under-

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.97784*

*General visualization block for software dataflow in remote monitoring.*

**Figure 3.**

*Cost-Effective Interfaces with Arduino-LabVIEW for an IOT-Based Remote Monitoring… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.97784*

**Figure 3.** *General visualization block for software dataflow in remote monitoring.*

performing experiments and monitoring pressure parameters of a pneumatic system that comprises of valve and pneumatic cylinder. Moreover, other study on robotics application have also ventured into remote laboratory application. Such application was explored by Angulo I. [9] who successfully replicates actual robotics experiment remotely. Based on these literatures, to the best of author knowledge, similar replication in experimenting a temperature process that simulates industrial lab equipment has yet to be developed. The framework replication can be possibly addressed, nevertheless more study is required by considering factors such as number of parameters, existing equipment and the system integration with IOT platform. The integration of temperature process from the laboratory plant to the user device usually incurs high cost when outsourced to third party. **Table 2** summarizes the interfacing technique and data acquisition system that implemented in the remote monitoring development.

This study mainly targeted on the framework development to integration the Arduino-LABVIEW by presenting proof-of-concept implementation of the IOT system using Blynk application platform. This work proposed the low-cost interfacing module as alternative, and with the available commercial and open software, development could be made relatively easier. Data acquisition with LABVIEW DAQ card have been explored to many applications in remote monitoring. However due to cost issue, another alternative with lower development cost is preferable. Considering Arduino board as cost-effective solution for transforming the system capable to perform remote monitoring, thus elevates value to the use of LABVIEW to remain relevant. Taking example of remote experimentation framework at low-cost development for a temperature process control which can be accessed via student's mobile devices, the interfacing technique to be proposed in this work will benefit other researchers as a reference point to design their own data acquisition system in future.

Among all, the low-cost interfacing module have been studied in either for standalone or remote applications. Several previous works will present the current and latest interfaces used as data acquisition module to integrate between real applications to the LABVIEW. For a simple system, mostly adopted Arduino or Raspberry Pi boards Arduino is the highest among all.

#### **2.3 Challenges and opportunities to real time execution in remote laboratory**

Despite the fact that LABVIEW integration with Arduino demonstrated compatibility and minimizing device costs, the challenge in terms of integration process from physical laboratory to remote laboratory remains the most challenging so far, without denying that such project implementation is possible. However, interface integration between systems can be accomplished successfully with less effort if the issue of implementing remote laboratory into functional implementation is understood. The following are examples of such obstacles:

*LabVIEW - A Flexible Environment for Modeling and Daily Laboratory Use*

**Subject Area TP %** Engineering 501 53% Social Sciences 252 27% Physics and Astronomy 232 25% Computer Science 203 22% Chemistry 43 5% Medicine 39 4% Mathematics 29 3% Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology 28 3% Agricultural and Biological Sciences 24 3% Materials Science 23 2% Environmental Science 19 2% Earth and Planetary Sciences 17 2% Energy 17 2% Business, Management and Accounting 13 1% Chemical Engineering 12 1% Psychology 10 1% Arts and Humanities 9 1% Immunology and Microbiology 8 1% Neuroscience 5 1% Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics 5 1% Veterinary 5 1% Multidisciplinary 4 0% Decision Sciences 3 0% Dentistry 3 0% Economics, Econometrics and Finance 3 0% Health Professions 3 0%

Dataflow programming in LABVIEW executes the flow of data through the nodes on the block diagram in sequence order. The design of VIs will determine the block diagram structure based on function code, in which data flow through the interconnected wires. When all of its inputs are available to execute the function code, it supplies data to its output terminals and passes the output data to the next node in the dataflow direction. Most other text-based programming languages are executed by a block diagram node and adopt a data flow model of programme execution. The execution order of a programme is determined by the sequential order of programme elements in control flow. All the items on the front panel will appear as terminals on the back panel. The virtual Instrument Software Architecture (VISA) is used to interface standard I/O for instrumentation programming. To summarize, **Figure 3** depicts the key components as mentioned above that will be implemented as a remote monitoring system. Various other studies of remote laboratory applications have been applied, such as in the field of physics [3], electronic sensors [4], vibrating beam [5], and rain gauge [6]. Previous researchers demonstrated various type of innovation in their remote learning. Galan D. et.al [7] have demonstrated the usefulness of conducting remote lab experiment for optical levitation that require proper setup to avoid harmful effect on the skin and eyes. Abreu P. et.al [8] have demonstrated the feasibility of

**68**

**Table 1.** *Subject area.*


#### **Table 2.**

*Summary of remote monitoring system using LABVIEW and interfacing hardware.*

• Hardware configuration: The development the system, take into consideration the hardware that will be used, as this will impact the data flow process. Different setup configurations necessitate different initialization settings, necessitating the creation of a specific algorithm. To minimize errors, electronic components are chosen in such a way that they are configurable and easy to interface with.

**71**

*Cost-Effective Interfaces with Arduino-LabVIEW for an IOT-Based Remote Monitoring…*

of data. These data will eventually affect the storage system.

• Complexity of data transfer: Transmission and storage become more expensive, while IoT adds complexity to the process of sending a continuous stream

• Internet connectivity: Since the internet connects the physical laboratory and the Blynk application, the laboratory has been enhanced to include the internet of things functionality. A connection to the internet allows the user to access the laboratory via smartphone or remote processing computer. However, the equipment's reliance on the internet has a downside when access is disrupted,

As a result of executing the remote laboratory, the targeted programme can be further extended to support IR4.0 and be compatible with IOT. The use of open-source interfacing device provides advantages in terms of cost effectiveness, usability, and rapid prototyping to adjust the device design accustoms to applications and niche platforms built for particular use cases. This adaptation can increase the opportunities for educational institutions to form collaboration networks.

To read, monitor, and control sensor data, LabVIEW employs a virtual instrument. MyRIO, DAQ, and NI-ELVIS are examples of known hardware interfaces. This hardware works on the same principle as the interfaces between the actual plant and the LABVIEW programming. Arduino and Raspberry-Pi are two of the most common data acquisition devices that support open-source programming by transforming functional interfaces into low-cost interface hardware. The use of LABVIEW with open-source hardware is gaining popularity due to increased practical implementation, especially in remote monitoring applications. The current study can be used as a pilot guide for developing a remote laboratory that is similar to an industrial-based temperature process. The proposed framework is intended to provide benefits in terms of practicality and cost-effectiveness. The built interface module in the proposed framework will

provide access to the laboratory experimental setup, is illustrated in **Figure 4**.

controller tuning can be accomplished through algorithm development.

A mechanism for data collection necessitates an array sequence of data collection and transmission. When the thermocouple sensor reads the temperature of the oven, the input temperature transmits the data to the control unit of the processing computer, which is pre-installed with LABVIEW. Furthermore, prior initialization is required to establish LINX interconnectivity with a pre-programmed script of Arduino UNO using ATmega328P microcontroller operating at 16 MHz clock speed, a 32kB Flash memory, a 2kB SRAM, six analogue input, six I/O, one UARTs, one I2C, and one SPI. The gateway processes the received data and posts aggregated data with timestamp to the Blynk cloud. The temperature data are then stored in an 8-bit array and synchronized by sending it to the cloud. The current study can be used as a pilot template for establishing

Any experimental parameters or configuration input can be fed into the Arduino platform and transmitted to any user's mobile device connected to the laboratory network. The student can use this to remotely manipulate lab parameters and evaluate the outcomes without having to be physically present in the laboratory. This development's laboratory experiment involves data acquisition and PID control tuning of a modular-based LD-Didactic temperature equipment. A platform for reading and transmitting data and control parameters between the user and the remote laboratory setup is needed to design the module for this experiment (refer **Figures 5** and **6**). In addition, a user interface for displaying output that is accessible via mobile devices is required. Both temperature process modeling and PID

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.97784*

or an internet interruption occurs.

**3. Methodology**

*Cost-Effective Interfaces with Arduino-LabVIEW for an IOT-Based Remote Monitoring… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.97784*


As a result of executing the remote laboratory, the targeted programme can be further extended to support IR4.0 and be compatible with IOT. The use of open-source interfacing device provides advantages in terms of cost effectiveness, usability, and rapid prototyping to adjust the device design accustoms to applications and niche platforms built for particular use cases. This adaptation can increase the opportunities for educational institutions to form collaboration networks.
