Collaborative and distributed laboratories for remote measurement: concepts and technical challenges

In this paper we address basic concepts and technical challenges toward the realization of a collaborative and distributed network of laborato- ries. This represents an extension of classical re- mote measurement concepts, allowing the realiza- tion of a super-laboratory formed by the integra- tion of features of single laboratories in a transpar- ent manner for the user. We also discuss the possi- bility of remotely de¯ne the object of the measure when implemented with programmable devices as in the case of software de¯ned radio. Two of the major aspect that need to be investigated within the platform of collaborative and distributed labo- ratories are the impact of the communication net- work quality to the measurement quality and the multi user access protocol.