Cooperative internet-based experimentation on semi-industrial pilot plants

In this work a framework for cooperative experimentation with semi-industrial pilot plants is presented. A software solution designed to support multi-user cooperative experimentation is described, along with the supporting hardware, which was specifically designed for the task. A structure of dual networking is proposed, with horizontal real-time protocol for hardware integration and vertical multi-user access points for human interaction. To avoid potential conflicts between users, prioritisation is performed, as resources available (time, hardware, and data) are limited. An important sub-problem is described in details, i.e. large groups of students splitting into smaller subgroups, collaboratively performing partial experiments in order to achieve solution of problem stated by an instructor. Work and data flows have to be carefully designed to keep control of the collaboration an example of such schedule is provided and described.