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.
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.
Modified version of the Java native interface parallel port
access software:
parport-dds.zip.
(Written in Java and C with embedded x86 assembly.)
Hardware
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
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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