Micro Controller Based Digital Control System Demonstration Platform

This paper describes the development of a laboratory demonstration controller board using the Arduino Uno micro controller platform. The platform is intended to assist in demonstrating closed loop feedback concepts taught as part of the electrical engineering curriculum at CQUniversity Australia. The platform consists of an Arduino Uno and custom designed shield to allow the micro-controller to more easily interface with 24V equipment used in the laboratories. Also developed as part of the platform are 2 additional boards to handle signal conversion for equipment used in the lab and a software interface using MATLAB®/SIMULINJ(® for the programming and real time monitoring of the hardware. The effectiveness of the platform is evaluated regarding its effectiveness as a teaching too using an application example.