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National Instruments and Quanser provide an integrated hands-on platform for enhancing controls and mechatronics education. Quanser offers a variety of plug-in boards for the NI ELVIS platform, allowing students to get hands-on practical experience in the important aspects of engineering practice. This spurs student interest, motivation and enhances the laboratory experience.
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What is NI ELVIS?
The National Instruments Educational Laboratory Virtual Instrumentation Suite (NI ELVIS) is a hands-on design and prototyping platform that integrates the 12 most commonly used instruments – including oscilloscope, digital multimeter, function generator, bode analyzer, and more – into a compact form factor ideal for the lab or classroom. It connects to your PC through USB connection, providing quick and easy acquisition and display of measurements. Based on NI LabVIEW graphical system design software, NI ELVIS offers the flexibility of virtual instrumentation and the ability of customizing your application. NI ELVIS is also an integral part of the NI electronics education platform, combining simulation of circuits and measurements from NI ELVIS instruments inside the NI Multisim capture and simulation environment. Designed with education in mind, NI ELVIS is a comprehensive tool for teaching everything from circuit design, instrumentation, controls, telecommunications, and embedded/MCU theory.
Figure 1. NI ELVIS is a comprehensive tool for teaching everything from circuit design, instrumentation, controls, telecommunications, and embedded/MCU theory
What are Quanser QNET Plants?
Quanser, a leader in control design training systems for academia, creates a variety of plug-in board for the NI ELVIS platform. QNET is a series of six experiments that are designed exclusively for the National Instruments Educational Laboratory Virtual Instrumentation Suite (NI ELVIS). Extending the functionality of NI ELVIS and NI LabVIEW through six training boards, the QNET experiments are an effective tool for teaching controls fundamentals in various engineering disciplines including electrical, mechanical, mechatronics, aerospace and biomedical. Comprehensive pedagogical curriculum is provided with all QNET experiments to save educators considerable time while enabling students to cultivate a deep understanding of engineering principals.
Figure 2. QNET controls experiments optimize lab space. They can be used for multiple engineering courses. Choose from six different modules for the NI ELVIS work station.
Overview of QNET Plants for Controls and Mechatronics
Quanser and National Instruments offer the six plug-in boards shown below to teach controls and mechatronics concepts. For a list of QNET real-life applications, key attributes, included curriculum, technical specifications and applicable engineering disciplines, view the QNET Datasheet (PDF).
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QNET Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) The QNET Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) Trainer is a fundamental introduction to motion control using a fluid as the actuation medium, and into aerospace dynamics, kinematics and control. The system consists of one variable-speed fan with safety guards, mounted on the end of a cantilevered arm. The fan and arm assembly pivot about an axis attached to an encoder shaft. View sample curriculum for the QNET VTOL Trainer View technical specifications for the QNET VTOL Trainer View QNET purchasing options |
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QNET DC Motor Control The QNET DC Motor Control Trainer has been designed to illustrate the fundamentals of DC motor control. It can quickly and easily be configured for a range of hardware-in-the-loop experiments including system ID, speed and position control. View technical specifications for the QNET DC Motor Control Trainer View QNET purchasing options |
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QNET Rotary Inverted Pendulum The QNET Rotary Inverted Pendulum offers students the opportunity to balance a vertical rod at the tip of a rotating arm using a DC motor. You can now perform this classic inverted pendulum control experiment using the NI ELVIS design and prototyping platform and LabVIEW. View technical specifications for the QNET Rotary Inverted Pendulum Trainer View QNET purchasing options |
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QNET HVAC The QNET HVAC trainer is ideal for illustrating concepts covered in fluid dynamics and thermodynamics control courses. It teaches students how to design a control system that regulates temperature in a chamber using the NI ELVIS workstation and LabVIEW interface. The trainer features a chamber equipped with a temperature sensor, heat source, and fan. View technical specifications for the QNET HVAC Trainer View QNET purchasing options |
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QNET Mechatronics Sensors This experiment introduces students to a wide variety of sensors that are commonly used today. It teaches how to use these senors and demonstrates their advantages and limitations. One of the most useful topics in an introductory Mechatronics course is the understanding and application of sensors. View technical specifications for the QNET Mechatronics Sensors Trainer View QNET purchasing options |
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QNET Myoelectric Trainer The QNET Myoelectric trainer is an exciting way to introduce students to biomedical engineering. Students can learn how to control a servo from the contraction of muscles using the principles of electromyography (EMG). View technical specifications for the QNET Myoelectric Trainer |
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More QNET Information
For information on purchasing Quanser QNETs, view the QNET Product Page.
For additional resources including curriculum, manuals, VIs, and FAQ, view the NI ELVIS II for Mechatronics and Controls Resources Page.
To view the National Instruments Academic Controls and Mechatronics homepage, visit ni.com/academic/controls.
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