Week 12: Networking and communications

Hack. Make. Design. Create. Fabricate.

Networking and communcations

A computer network or data network is a telecommunications network that allows computers to exchange data. In computer networks, networked computing devices pass data to each other along data connections. Data is transferred in the form of packets. The connections (network links) between nodes are established using either cable media or wireless media. The best-known computer network is the Internet. Network computer devices that originate, route and terminate the data are called network nodes.[1] Nodes can include hosts such as personal computers, phones, servers as well as networking hardware. Two such devices are said to be networked together when one device is able to exchange information with the other device, whether or not they have a direct connection to each other. Computer networks differ in the physical media used to transmit their signals, the communications protocols to organize network traffic, the network's size, topology and organizational intent. In most cases, communications protocols are layered on (i.e. work using) other more specific or more general communications protocols, except for the physical layer that directly deals with the physical media. Computer networks support applications such as access to the World Wide Web, shared use of application and storage servers, printers, and fax machines, and use of email and instant messaging applications.

  • Project: Networking and communications
  • Author: Desmond Lim
  • Location: MIT Media Lab
  • Date created: 24 Nov 2014

This is a video of the three micro controllers communicating with each other. Lasts 10 seconds!
Project 01a
I have now become pretty used to milling. Due to lack of time this week, I used the traces and outline from Neil's website and started to mill them. I realize that a good layout design from Eagle is very important, as by using Neil's traces I was able to solder easily and without any problems at all!
Project 01b
Sweet picture of the 3 processor circuit boards all together! One tip on how to orientate the right LED light (green line should always face cathode), and the AT Tiny 45, the dot should be on "RST". The rest of the components for this week doesn't matter on orientation.
Project 01c
Another nice picture. In order to program, there are several steps which I will like to share here.
  • Step 1: Refer to Neil's Programming page here where you will be able to find information on programming.
  • Step 2: The first step is to program the first "bridge PCB". Therefore connect the bridge PCB using the AVRISP2 and the wire (with six nodes).
  • Step 3: Create a folder on desktop, name it, and download the two files, C file and make file into the folder. Navigate into the folder by typing "cd /Desktop/Folder" on Terminal.
  • Step 4: Make or Compile the C file (as C is a compilable language) by typing in the code make -f hello.light.45.make (or the name of the file)
  • Step 5: Now the C file is compiled into "hex". You can type "ls" in terminal to see the file and check that it is compiled. Type $ sudo make -f hello.ftdi.44.echo.c.make.program program-usbtiny-fuses (this step is only necessary if there are fuses).
  • Step 6: If no fuses like this week, skip step 5, and go straight to $sudo make -f hello.ftdi.44.echo.c.make program-usbtiny to actually program the micro controller.
  • Step 7: Take out the AVRISP2, and place is on the second node PCB, using a wire to connect the bridge and the node.
  • Step 8: Program the node PCB using step 6.
  • Step 9: Repeat the process for the second node PCB using step 6.
  • Step 10: If you need to search for the USB port location, you can type in cd /dev to look up all the devices linked to your laptop. Once you find the name of the location, you can then use that name to program both the nodes.
  • Step 11: Finally, you would need to down the term.py file from week 6 I believe in Neil's website into the same program, and use python to program the file.
  • Project 01c
    See the green light lighting up! It's cool!
    Project 01c
    Another nice picture!
    Project 01c
    The three PCBs connected together.
    Project 01c
    Launching python using term.py file (no need to compile as it's an executable language), to launch the program.
    Project 01c
    It works! When I key in any number, it will light once, but when I key in 0, it will light 3 times. Nice green light!