Stuart Geiger

A graduate student at the University of California Berkeley has managed to run an IP network over a collection of xylophones, played by humans.

Stuart Geiger's protocol, known as Internet Protocol over Xylophone Players or IPoXP (PDF), was designed to deliver an internet protocol connection between two computers. It consists of two Arduino microcontrollers hooked up with LEDs, a pair of xylophones, some sensors and two people to play the instruments.

Here's how it works: The computer sends the data it wants to transmit to the Arduino in ascii format, which is then converted into hex code. Each hexadecimal character is linked with an LED, which in turn is positioned next to a note on the xylophone. When the LED lights up, the musician plays that note.

Once played, the note is then picked up by piezoelectric sensors on the opposite xylophone, which converts it back into hex code and passes it to the other computer. When that computer sends a return packet, the order of operations is reversed. Characters are issued at a rate of one per second, giving the network a one baud throughput. Assuming the musicians don't get bored.

It takes about 15 minutes to transmit a single packet, assuming the musician doesn't hit any wrong notes. That's rare, though, apparently. Geiger told NetworkWorld: "Humans are really terrible interfaces." To try and fix that, he encased his volunteers in black cardboard boxes so they didn't get distracted and could concentrate on transmitting bits.

Previous applications of IP technology on unconventional platforms include CPIP (carrier pigeon internet protocol) and IPoBD (internet protocol over bongo drums).


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