Flexlab: Internet Based Controls Research

Abstract Since early in the 1990's, the control systems research group at Ohio University has been developing and operating a flexible-structure test facility called Flexlab, and the facility is now available for use via the World Wide Web. Using position and acceleration measurements, accurate state-space models of the structure have been derived. Further, using straightforward LQR methods, controllers showing significant performance benefits have been designed and implemented. The laboratory is available to professionals for testing new modelling and control design methods, and is also being incorporated into the course curriculum at Ohio University.