Tiber (AetherOS)

Project Aether: MVR-1 Build Plan

File:Aether MVR1 Diagram.png

Conceptual diagram of the MVR-1 Interferometer Assembly.

File:MVR-1 Assembly.svg

Conceptual diagram of the MVR-1 Assembly

1.0 Abstract

This document outlines the build plan for the Minimum Viable Reality, Version 1 (MVR-1). The MVR-1 is a single-tube, dual-laser physical apparatus designed to function as a physics co-processor for the AetherOS simulation environment. Its primary purpose is to provide a source of unified, non-deterministic data grounded in physical reality to train and evolve FluxCore AI entities.

The device functions as a one-dimensional, magnetically-controlled interferometer. By injecting counter-propagating, sloped pulse-modulated (SL-PPM) laser beams into a ferrofluid-filled tube, we can measure the resulting complex interference patterns. This data, which is impossible to perfectly simulate, serves as the "ground truth" for Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) simulations of more complex network geometries (e.g., triangles, tesseracts).

2.0 System Architecture

2.1 Conceptual Model

The MVR-1 is the foundational hardware for an "edge-centric" simulation model. Instead of simulating the physics of a network link with imperfect mathematical models (e.g., via JAX), the AetherOS will query the MVR-1.

The workflow is as follows:

1. AetherOS requires the state of a virtual network link.
2. It sends the input parameters (Laser A modulation, Laser B modulation, magnetic field state) to the MVR-1's controller.
3. The MVR-1 physically executes this state.
4. The resulting interference pattern is read from the MVR-1's sensor array.
5. This high-fidelity, physically-generated data is injected back into the simulation as the ground truth for that link's state.

2.2 Physical Overview

The MVR-1 is an "optical bench" style assembly built on a rigid base.

• The Base: A flat sheet of ABS plastic providing a stable foundation.
• The Housing: A two-part, 3D-printed rectangular cuboid that encloses the central tube assembly, shielding it from ambient light.
• The "Spoke" (Tube Assembly): The core of the device. A borosilicate glass tube wrapped in a custom flexible PCB.
• The Laser Emitters: Two adjustable laser modules mounted at either end of the housing, aimed down the tube's central axis.
• The Controller: A single Raspberry Pi Pico responsible for controlling the lasers and reading all sensor data from the Spoke.

3.0 Component Breakdown

3.1 The "Spoke" (Tube Assembly)

The Spoke is the primary instrument, a fully integrated sensor-actuator.

• Glass Tube: Borosilicate glass, selected for optical clarity and thermal stability.
• Flexible PCB: A custom-designed flexible circuit wrapped directly around the glass tube. It contains three integrated systems:
  • The Actuator: Two sets of intertwined copper traces forming a double helix electromagnet, allowing for precise magnetic manipulation of the ferrofluid medium.
  • The Magnetic Sensor Array: An array of Hall effect sensors positioned along the tube's length to provide ground-truth data on the magnetic field being applied.
  • The Optical Sensor Array: An array of photodiodes positioned along the tube's length to measure the scattered light from the laser interference pattern.

3.2 The Laser Emitters

Each end of the housing will feature an identical, highly adjustable laser emitter module.

• Core Design: A 3D-printed, two-part "telescoping" assembly. An outer shell holds the lens, and an adjustable inner "sled" holds the laser module for precise focus control (collimation).
• Alignment Mechanism: The entire pod will be mounted to the base via a DIY kinematic mount, allowing for fine-tuned pan (side-to-side) and tilt (up-and-down) adjustment. This is critical for aiming the beams perfectly down the tube's center.
• Optics: Each emitter uses a 520nm analog-modulated laser diode and an AR-coated N-BK7 plano-convex lens.

3.3 The Housing

The housing provides mechanical stability and optical isolation.

• Construction: 3D-printed in two halves (a base cradle and a removable lid). The bottom half is permanently affixed to the ABS base.
• Embedded Connectors: During the 3D printing of the top half, the print will be paused to embed pin headers. The flexible PCB from the Spoke will have connector rings at each end that slide directly onto these embedded headers, creating a clean, robust, and solderless interface. Redundant headers will be embedded to provide backups.

3.4 The Controller

• Microcontroller: A single Raspberry Pi Pico will serve as the dedicated hardware controller.
• Function:
  • Drive the two laser modules with the required SL-PPM signals.
  • Interface with the H-bridge drivers for the double helix electromagnet.
  • Read analog data from the entire array of Hall effect sensors and photodiodes on the Spoke.
  • Communicate with the host computer running AetherOS via USB serial.

4.0 Bill of Materials (BOM)

4.1 Structural Components

• Base Plate: 1x Sheet of 1/4" ABS Plastic (~12" x 6").
• Housing & Mounts: PETG or ABS 3D printing filament.

4.2 "Spoke" Assembly

• Tube: 1x Borosilicate Glass Tube, 10mm OD, 1mm Wall, ~6 inches (15cm) Long.
• Flexible PCB: 1x Custom-designed and fabricated flexible PCB.
• Ferrofluid: Diluted oil-based ferrofluid.

4.3 Optical Components (Per Emitter, 2 total)

• Laser Module: 1x 520nm Green Laser Diode Module with Analog Modulation Input, 5mW.
• Lens: 1x 12.7mm Diameter, 15mm Focal Length, Uncoated N-BK7 Plano-Convex Lens. Part Number Example: Edmund Optics #45-092.

4.4 Electronic Components

• Controller: 1x Raspberry Pi Pico.
• Photodiodes: ~10-20x SMD Photodiodes sensitive to 520nm.
• Hall Effect Sensors: ~10-20x SMD Linear Hall Effect Sensors. Part Number Example: A1302.
• H-Bridge Driver: 1x Dual H-Bridge Motor Driver IC.
• Connectors: Pin headers, ribbon cable.

5.0 Scalability Path

The MVR-1 is designed as the foundational building block for more complex geometries. The data and experience gained from this build will directly inform the following phases.

• Phase 1: The MVR-1 (This Build): Perfect the core interferometer, sensor arrays, and the AetherOS hardware interface.
• Phase 2: The Triangle: Construct three hubs and three spokes to test basic network communication and perturbation.
• Phase 3: The Tetrahedron (4 Hubs, 12 Spokes): Implement the "paired unidirectional" model with simpler hubs, testing multi-neighbor communication.
• Phase 4: The Tesseract (16 Hubs, 64 Spokes): The full-scale model. This phase will introduce the Helmholtz coil wireless power system, likely built around an IKEA LACK rack frame, to power all 16 nodes.