A new computer set-up is now allowing students to go AWOL for general engineering labs.

This new type of laboratory, called Asynchronous Web Operated Laboratory (AWOL), will allow students to set up experiments of control system engineering classes without having to physically go into the lab and set up equipment.

AWOL is the brainchild of Louis Wozniak, associate professor of engineering, who teaches the class General Engineering 222, Introduction into Control Systems for which AWOL is designed.

Wozniak said it is increasingly common in engineering practices to have an engineering tech set up an experiment's hardware and have the engineer test the equipment and get back the data for analysis.

Wozniak said that because his class is an introductory lab, technicians cannot do all the work for the students so "they have to learn to do it themselves."

There are about five labs for GE 222, located in a shared space in Everitt Laboratory. Their purpose is to apply the principles covered in lecture.

"Typically students go to assigned laboratories and do experiments, collect data, go home and write up a lab report and submit it," Wozniak said.

This semester Wozniak began using AWOL, where the TA sets up and interfaces the lab, allowing students to sit down in their dorm or wherever they have Internet access and the equipment, and do experiments and collect data.

"Nobody needs to be (at the lab); the data comes back and students can look at it and redo it or write it up," Wozniak said.

Roberto Andrade, engineering graduate student, worked with Wozniak to create AWOL as his graduate project.

He said he hopes students will like using the program and that it will continue to be used after he graduates in December.

"The idea is to have a way for students to access labs and experiments," Andrade said. "It's easier, because you don't need to set up anything, you just need to run the experiments, as opposed to going to the lab and wiring everything. It's a different experience, it can complement lab and in some instances even replace it."

Andrade said another advantage is that AWOL will help free up the limited equipment and labs that must be shared throughout the engineering department. He said the increasing class sizes make it difficult for everyone to get into the labs.

AWOL works by using an electromagnetic actuator that acts as a "controller" for the experiment. Students enter an equation into the controller along with parameters for the experiment they intend to run. The controller then sends the allotted voltage through the plant — a piece of equipment, in this case a moveable arm. The voltage output of the experiment is compared to the input and the data is sent back to the students for analysis.

Andrade said the laboratory could be used on different types of experiments with minimal changes.

Wozniak said the entire process takes about 20 seconds, which is the amount of time it takes to send the data to the computer, have the controller interpret it and run the experiment, and then send the results back. Because of the time delay, there is a queue that forms, but as long as the laboratory is left on students can access it 24 hours a day.

"It's conceivable that students could go out to the bars at 11 p.m., get back at around 2 a.m., do the test and still turn in the write-up by 8 a.m.," Wozniak said.

Control Systems Manager, Dan Block, built the computer that AWOL is running on.

He said he thinks the laboratory is a fine idea but feels it is still extremely important for students to also have hands-on experience.

"(Students) come in for labs throughout the semester, this one lab they will do over the computer and that way they will be able to run it a few more times," Block said. He said AWOL is beneficial only in conjunction with normal labs.

Wozniak said he is not expecting AWOL to replace labs, especially not at the introductory level when students need to learn how to use the equipment. But he said there is the possibility that it might become extremely beneficial at higher levels of education. Wozniak and Andrade are now preparing AWOL for beta testing — the release of the program for public consumption.

Wozniak's GE 222 class of 95 students will have an assignment over Thanksgiving break working with the AWOL. Andrade said if AWOL works out well, he hopes it will be able to benefit other classes on campus.