NG Version Fireflies Synchronization

Figure 1 

The project’s main concern is the synchronization of hundreds or thousands of fireflies where they flash randomly at initial stage and eventually flashing in synchronized manner.

The NG version firefly circuit is simulated with a small microcontroller wherein a small PCB and an RGB LED is used. The circuit is a self-organizing system where every firefly acts completely autonomously without a programmed pattern.

The firefly is flashing when it reaches a certain limit which resets the power to zero since each firefly has a value that stands for the power to flash and increases over time. The firefly increases the power by a small boost value when it detects another flash nearby and it will flash slightly earlier than last time. As this happens repeatedly, the process may lead to all fireflies flashing in sync. The mood of the RGB firefly is expressed using color wherein the flashing is stable and cool blue if all is in sync. The color will slightly change to green, yellow, and red if it detects flashes that are not in sync because the circuit will get uncomfortable.

The circuit has no integrated power regulator and designed for 5V.

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