A89: Radio link protocol : Use the one that's already THE standard in co
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A89: Radio link protocol : Use the one that's already THE standard in computers.
A radio link protocol was developed long before most of the TI-8x calculators existed and can be
easily adapted for TIs.
It is called packet radio, and is used to connect two computers (even different kinds) via ham
radios. All calculators would be tuned to the same frequency. Each calculator would be assigned
a different call sign or a numerical address. When a transmission occurs, the calculator would
send its call sign, and ALL for a message to all other calculators, or the intended receiver's
call sign (for operation like a regular link), and the message.
Since packet radio has already been proven to work and is already a standard in radio data
transmission, it would end the never ending discussion about how radio links should transfer data,
and it would allow actual work to be started.
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With TIs, this could be further enhanced with the following :
Free the user from having to find out a unique call sign...If it is a calculator with its serial
number in ROM (like the TI-89), the serial number could be used. To prevent confusion if, say, a
TI-92 and a TI-89 have the same serial number, the calculator model number (i.e. 89 for TI-89)
would also be included.
If DOOM receives a chat message, it might become confused. So, in any message being sent out,
include the application name.
If there are two different games of DOOM running, they would get confused by each other. So, in
addition to the application name, include a channel number or name (one for each different DOOM
game or chat conversation).
There could be application and channel names, such as DOOM,OPEN, where information, such as DOOM
games that are accepting new players, can be broadcast.
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Some nice benefits :
Since it would be a standard protocol, it would enable calculators to use one set frequency
without programs having to do much work to figure out whether a message is for them and whether
the data deals with that program. For instance, if you are playing a DOOM game, and your teammate
shoots you because someone else was chatting and sent a message which DOOM mistook for that
teammate saying they fired a bullet.
Programs could be written for and work between different models of calculators, as long as they
send the same format messages. A simple instance is chat, which would be easy to implement.
Multiplayer tetris would be more difficult, but it would be nice to be able to play something like
this against your friend if you have a TI-85 and your friend has a TI-83. Also, even nicer games,
like DOOM could be written for different types of calculators. A 3 or 4 player DOOM match would
be great (8 would be awesome if it is possible).
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