`itrain dds`

The Information Train

Here you can find software, schematics, and construction details for the Information Train: a winning entry at the "Wizards of Science 2009" scientific experiment contest. The entry demonstrates how computers communicate with each other by setting up a network in which a model train transfers a picture's pixels from one computer to the other.

Video

You can also download the video file in Ogg Theora format.

Software

The software developed for the entry is distributed as open source software, under the BSD License for the sender part and under the MIT License (the one recommended for OLPC applications) for the receiver part. Modifications to other software used retain the original software's licensing.

Sender software: send.pde. (Written in Processing.)
Receiver software: dots.pr. (Written in Squeak EToys.)
Modified version of the Java native interface parallel port access software: parport-dds.zip. (Written in Java and C with embedded x86 assembly.)

Hardware

Sender computer Receiver XO-1 computer
The sender is connected through its parallel port to a motor actuator board and a sensor board. The receiver, a One Laptop per Child XO-1 laptop is connected through its audio-in port to two identical sensor boards. Both use provide 5V power to the sensor via their USB port.

Sender motor actuator board

Sender sensor board

XO-1 sensor board

Development Pictures

Experimental setup

Train sensor mounting

Train rotating device and the bit sensor

Junction driver construction

Junction driver far-end brake construction

Junction driver junction-end brake construction

The junction driver is mounted on a rotating piece to allow it to drive the junction in an arc

Mounting of the junction driver assembly

Diomidis Spinellis home page

Unless otherwise expressly stated, all original material on this page created by Diomidis Spinellis is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Greece License.
Last modified: 2009-02-18