rouyng / study-ag

archive of code/description for "Study for an Aeolian Gate", 2013.

Study for an Aeolian Gate

This repository archives code and documentation for "Study for an Aeolian Gate", an artwork I made in 2013. This code has been in deep cold storage since then, so it is not actively maintained/modified.

The "study" obtains random numbers from a quantum random number generator operated by Humboldt University of Berlin. These numbers are taken as input by an Arduino sketch, which uses them to determine activation duration and speed of a small industrial cooling fan.

Files

• random.ino Arduino sketch
• random.sh
• /qrngdownload This directory contains source and executable files for qrngdownload, a copy of those provided by Humboldt University of Berlin for use with their quantum random number generator service.

Hardware description

This piece was conceived as a study for an as-yet unrealized sculpture or architectural intervention. Therefore, the hardware implementation used the minimum possible components to establish technical details and core conceptual motivations.

The key components are as follows:

• Linux instance to run random.sh (and qrngdownload)
• Arduino UNO loaded with random.ino, connected to Linux instance via USB to load random data
• Sparkfun Ardumoto (Arduino-compatible shield using a L298 H-bridge)
• 92 mm x 92 mm industrial cooling fan, 12VDC 0.18A (Mcmaster-carr part 1939K35)
• 12 V power supply

Disclaimer

This code and associated information is supplied here for archival/informational purposes, and carries no expressed or implied warranty or guarantee. Please thoroughly test in a safe environment before using this code in any device.