Expanding the Possibility of Performing Laboratory Exercises Using Solutions Based on the use of SCPI and LoRa Networks

Abstract

Laboratory exercises are an important part of the teaching process at many faculties. However, despite the fact that today the implementation of laboratory exercises is carried out on modern equipment, the full potential of that equipment is often not used, that is, often some of the possibilities of modern equipment are not fully used in student practice. In the paper, it will be shown on two cases from practice how the student user experience can be expanded by using exactly those "forgotten" options. In the first case, a solution based on the full use of Standard Commands for Programmable Instruments (SCPI), which are implemented on most modern measuring devices, will be presented. The second case will consider the application of open source hardware and software supported by LoRa connectivity, which enables the expansion of the spectrum of exercises performed by students. It will be shown that both solutions can be implemented without a high level of complexity and large financial efforts for the higher education institution itself.