DataSocket provides a data source or target that is the interface of the OPC server, which shield the
complexity of the underlying TCP programming[6]. So, the underlying data acquisition problem of
virtual network lab is solved. At the same time, LabVIEW remote panel technology builds the center
server of the B/s system structure. The system achieved internet release function with built-in Server
Web technology. The remote client can realize the access to the virtual network lab in the browser.
Module structure of Virtual Laboratory
With the aid of LabVIEW development environment, a complete industrial control virtual network
laboratory system based on the Institute of automation laboratory is developed. The experiment
module is added to the system by the way of the sub VI based on the idea of LabVIEW modular
programming[7]. In each of the sub VI, the more complex functional modules are encapsulated into
the next level of the sub VI. Such a design method, the system has a better flexibility and reusability,
and is conducive to future maintenance and expansion. When there are new experimental projects,
only the new experimental project is designed and VI is added to the main program. It can complete
the whole system update or maintenance.
In the system, the server receives the request of the experiment and the experiment instruction.
According to different experiment command, the system choose different experiment module. And
the system collected the data and downloaded the experimental parameters through the corresponding
data communication module. The final results were outputted after the completion of data processing.
At present, the system has developed two kinds of experimental modules: based on the physical class
and virtual simulation class. The field experiment is mainly based on the existing equipment of the
Institute of automation laboratory[8]. It achieved the industrial process control system with OPC
technology, including the DCS virtual liquid level/temperature control system, industrial Ethernet
virtual liquid level/temperature control system and a series of process control experiment project.
