The generator frequency can be adjusted, measurement channels switched, and experimental results obtained without being physically present in the laboratory. To enable this, the Department of Electronic Devices and Systems at Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute has developed a hardware and software system for remote access to laboratory equipment.
The project combines Keysight measuring instruments, software-controlled relay modules, and Python software. Students work with a physical circuit, observe its behaviour, and analyse data from real measurements.
Why this development is needed
Distance learning and limited access to university laboratories make practical training more difficult for future engineers. Computer simulation helps students study electrical circuits, while working with equipment provides additional experience: real experiments reveal instrument errors, component instability, noise, and the effects of connecting wires.
The aim of the project is to make these experiments accessible remotely and enable measurements to be controlled using a computer.
How the system works
The measuring instruments and relay modules are connected to a laboratory computer via USB. The software sends SCPI commands to the instruments to set signal parameters, initiate measurements, and retrieve results.
The relay modules switch preconfigured connections on the laboratory test bench. This allows the experimental configuration to be changed and measuring instruments to be connected to different parts of the circuit without manually moving wires during operation.
Chrome Remote Desktop is used for remote access. Through the remote desktop, users work with software on the laboratory computer and control the connected equipment.
What can be investigated
The system is demonstrated through a laboratory investigation of electrical resonance. The experimental circuit includes an inductor, a capacitor, and resistors.
A function generator produces a variable-frequency signal, while a multimeter measures the voltages across the circuit elements in turn. Relays switch the measurement channels.
The collected data are used to determine:
- the frequency dependence of the circuit impedance;
- the voltages across the inductor and capacitor;
- the current in the circuit;
- the frequency at which resonance occurs.
During the experiment, the characteristic features of series resonance can be observed: a decrease in impedance and an increase in current near the resonant frequency.
Two operating modes — for teachers and students
Separate programs have been developed for preparing and carrying out laboratory work using the system.
The teacher assembles the circuit on the test bench and checks the relay connections and instrument connections. An automated measurement cycle helps to quickly verify that the setup operates correctly and identify errors.
The student takes measurements step by step: controls the experiment, obtains readings, and analyses the results. This approach preserves the practical component of learning and helps students understand the relationship between instrument settings and electrical circuit behaviour.
How the results were verified
During development, the influence of the test bench itself on measurements was investigated. Wires, contacts, and relay modules have their own resistance, inductance, and capacitance, which can distort results, particularly as frequency increases. These parameters were measured using a Keysight E4980AL LCR meter and used to build a model in MATLAB/Simulink. The simulation results were compared with experimental frequency responses. The study made it possible to estimate the operating frequency range of the test bench at approximately 2 MHz, within the amplitude and phase distortion limits adopted in the study. The system was also verified through an automated investigation of a resonant circuit.
Engineering skills brought together by the project
The development combines Python programming, control of measuring instruments using SCPI commands, relay switching, mathematical modelling, and statistical data processing. An essential part of the work is comparing the model with the physical experiment: identifying the causes of discrepancies and accounting for the properties of real equipment.
Practical value
The system provides a foundation for remote laboratory work in electrical circuit theory and electronics. Software control makes it possible to repeat measurements, automate experiment preparation, and use a single workstation to investigate different preassembled circuits. The project demonstrates how electronics and programming can make professional laboratory equipment more accessible for teaching and learning.
Author: Ivan Kushkov
Mentor: Ievgen Verbytskyi, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor.
Title of the competition entry: “Hardware and Software System for Remote Access to Laboratory Equipment”.
Year: 2026.
Address: 16, Politekhnichna St., 03056, Kyiv, Ukraine
Phone: (044) 204-90-70, E-mail: kafedra-eds@lll.kpi.ua
