ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING EDUCATIONAL SOFTWARE BASED ON MATLAB AND ITS GRAPHIC USER INTERFACE (GUI)

IJAEDU- International E-Journal of Advances in Education, Vol. IV, Issue 10, April 2018 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING EDUCATIONAL SOFTWARE BASED ON MATLAB AND ITS GRAPHIC USER INTERFACE (GUI) Nani Fadzlina Naim1*, Muhammad Fauzi Khairul Fisal2, Suzi Seroja Sarnin3, Norsuzila Ya’acob4 1 Dr., Fakulti Kejuruteraan Elektrik, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia, 2 Mr., Fakulti Kejuruteraan Elektrik, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia, 3 Dr., Fakulti Kejuruteraan Elektrik, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia, 4 Dr., Fakulti Kejuruteraan Elektrik, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia, *Corresponding Author Abstract This paper presents educational software based on MATLAB and a Graphical User Interface (GUI). This educational software consists of three subjects; electromagnetic, communication engineering and power engineering. MATLAB m-files are developed based on the requirements in the subjects. Then, its GUI are developed and integrated with the m-files for ease of use. In this software, user is able to visualize the subjects from the plots, graphs, and images and obtain the answer automatically. User also does not need to install MATLAB in his/her Personal Computer (PC) because this software is developed with standalone program which allow user to use the software without installing Matlab. This software can be used by lecturers as teaching aid and self-learning materials among students, thus, help user to achieve better understanding on electrical engineering subjects. It is also found that this software has obtained positive feedback from lecturers and students as it attracts students in learning the subjects. Keywords: MATLAB, Graphical User Interface (GUI), Electromagnetic, Communication Engineering, Power Engineering, Educational Tool. 1. INTRODUCTION MATLAB is known as a Matrix Laboratory where it acts as a calculation software and high performance numerical analysis developed by Mathworks Company based in the USA. MATLAB has a unique advantage in form of digital signal processing, system identification, dynamic system simulation, graphic processing matrix algebra, numerical computing and many other areas [Lu Ling-yan et al.]. Furthermore, MATLAB GUI was used to design an interactive and visual educational tool developed for http://ijaedu.ocerintjournals.org 24 IJAEDU- International E-Journal of Advances in Education, Vol. IV, Issue 10, April 2018 teaching and learning for signals and systems and digital signal processing [Han Ping et al.]. It was developed with five main function modules which is signal collecting, signal analysis, linear system analysis, filter design and signal processing techniques application module. This software designed a VHF (very high frequency) amplitude modulation signal analyzing and used with three kinds of analogue filters (Butterworth, Chebyshev, Ellipetic) and two kinds of digital filters (FIR DF and IIR DF). Besides that, this way includes with visual and graphic simulation which allow user to get better understanding. The problem of dynamics of electric machines through simulation of an asynchronous machine can be solved by using MATLAB and GUI [Gabriela Dana Petropol-Serb et al.]. An asynchronous motor of a fan used in auxiliary‟s posts of electromotive was demonstrated. The software developed as a virtual laboratory where it can be a space when elements were expressed virtually by using interactive graphics and design. The result illustrated had shown the aim of their project which is to show the usage of GUI to build a typical process. The computational modeling of the induction machine had offers much information on the behavior and process control of the machine. GUI (Graphical User Interface) and MATLAB are used to visualize EM fields of electromagnetic waves that are obtained by solving Maxwell‟s equations [A. Sinha et al.]. This method is used to solve the problem of resultant electromagnetic (EM) fields which is the combination of electric and magnetic fields where it complicated to visualize and understand. The aid of this GUI and MATLAB implemented is to develop understanding and designing of antenna and fading effects in wireless communication system. The implemented of GUI is used to observe and analyze the variation between electric field and magnetic field under different conditions. Meanwhile, an educational tool was developed using the MATLAB Graphical User Interface (GUIs) which are related with signal and systems [T. Mathumisaranon et al.]. The function of GUI module is to simulate the baseband of digital communication system. It will be demonstrated the transmission of the Binary Phase Shift Keying signal under an Additive White Gaussian Noise (AWGN) channel with an application of tone jamming interference and the reduction of the jamming effect using a digital notch filter at the part of receiver. The output response will be illustrated under the differences of the signal corresponding for each section of the communication system. [Raymundo Cordero García et al.] has developed a simplified educational platform based on the integration of a Graphical User Interface (GUI) and FPGA for the didactic teaching of Space Vector Pulse Width Modulation (SVPWM). It is found that the platform helps in teaching and motivates research in SVPWM algorithms and FPGAs. In addition, [Aleksei Tepljakov et al.] has designed a MATLAB with its graphical user interface (GUI) to show the time and frequency responses of FOS models and primary function of which is to learn fundamentals of fractional PID controller design. In this project, educational software was developed using MATLAB and GUI which is flexible and user friendly. The scope of subjects that can be explored consists of 3 subjects; electromagnetic, communication engineering and power engineering which is suitable for electrical engineering undergraduates. The software was implemented with standalone program whereas user can use it without installing MATLAB software. 2. METHODOLOGY The simulation tool used to develop this software is using MATLAB R2016a and its GUI. MATLAB allows an operation involved with manipulations of matrix, plotting of functions and data, implementation of algorithms, and interfacing with programs. Firstly, the information was gathered to choose a suitable equation that can be included in this software firstly. All the coding involved in this software were developed and saved in the form of m-files. Then, the GUI will be designed, and user can insert the input and then by clicking the push button an output or visualize the graph will appear. MATLAB program and GUI will be combined to create a system that can be used by user. Finally, a standalone program is developed so that this educational tool can be used without installing MATLAB software. 2.1 Process of Developing M-File of Dot Product, Cross Product, Electric Field Intensity Due (...truncated)