In this paper, we present an exemplary framework suitable for laboratory experiments for undergraduate courses in communications. Initially designed to be a test-bed for a small wireless mesh-networked system, the framework consists of a graphical user interface (GUI) for a control center, a software-based interface referred to as the Synapse Portal, a mesh-networking node referred to as the Bridge, and multiple mesh-networking End Nodes each of which is integrated into a three-wheel mobile robot. The development of the test-bed requires an integration of two microcontrollers of different code-execution speeds in cascade. In this paper, along with design details and relevant specifics of all components of the test-bed, we discuss issues encountered during the development and how we addressed them to successfully realize a functioning mesh network of mobile robots. Based on our observations during the development, we believe that the test-bed can be useful for addressing ABET engineering criteria, and also developing a set of small-scale laboratory experiments for undergraduate courses in the areas of communications.
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