What is the ACE-Box?

Understand how the ACE-Box is structured, why it is portable and open-access, and how it supports practical control engineering workflows in MATLAB & Simulink.

Access an ACE-Box

Choose how you want to get started: request a consultation, obtain the STL files and parts list, or order a ready-to-use Base + Sense kit for teaching and projects.

User Endorsements

Read how educators and engineers describe ACE-Box as a bridge between theory and real-world control practice, including flexibility, ease of use, and learner confidence.

MATLAB OnRamp

Build core MATLAB skills for engineering work, including commands, scripts, arrays, plotting, and basic programming.

Simulink OnRamp

Learn Simulink basics for model-based workflows, including blocks, signals, scopes, and simulation.

Install MATLAB and Simulink

Install and verify MATLAB and Simulink for ACE-Box labs, including licensing and the required toolboxes.

Additional Exercises

Review the MATLAB and Simulink interface with quick refreshers to improve navigation and workflow efficiency.

Install Simulink Code Generation

Install the Arduino support package so that you can generate code and deploy Simulink models to hardware.

LED (Digital)

Create a simple Simulink model to switch an LED on and off via a digital output and deploy it to Arduino.

LED (PWM)

Adjust LED brightness by generating a PWM signal in Simulink and deploying it to Arduino.

On/Off Power Switch

Add a physical on/off switch and verify reliable switching behaviour in the circuit and Simulink workflow.

Tactile Button Switch

Use a tactile pushbutton as a momentary input to trigger actions from your deployed Simulink model.

LDR (Light Dependent Resistor)

Measure light level using an LDR voltage divider and scale the analogue signal for control or monitoring in Simulink.

Slide Potentiometer

Read a slider potentiometer via ADC, scale the signal, and map it to a useful control range in Simulink.

Ultrasonic Sensor (Distance)

Measure distance with an HC-SR04 ultrasonic sensor and improve reliability with simple filtering logic.

Temperature Sensor

Acquire analogue temperature data, apply calibration, and smooth readings using basic filtering in Simulink.

DC Motor

Coming soon: get a DC motor running safely using a driver and PWM control.

DC Motor Speed Measurement

Coming soon: estimate motor speed from feedback, such as an encoder, and validate sampling in Simulink.

DC Motor Speed Control

Coming soon: close the loop on DC motor speed using PWM and a tuned PID controller.