U1Ch1L2b: Developing A Protocol Purpose: Students will learn how to develop a Protocol in order to solve a problem. Gradesheet Intro: Yesterday you made a Device and developed a Process to communicate a binary question. In order to interpret the message we needed to know which signal meant “A” and which meant “B”. What we were really doing was beginning to develop a communication Protocol. Today you’re going to develop a protocol to solve a problem. Develop A Protocol Partners need to create a protocol that takes the following rules into account: : The light “On” is letter “A”, “Off” is letter “B.”   The Transmitter shall pulse the flashlight on and off at 1 second intervals. One student is the Transmitter and sends a message with a flashlight. One student is the Receiver and decodes the binary message. The Transmitter and Receiver may not talk or make any signals to communicate. All communication is made with the flashlight.

Challenge #1 - Transmitting 4 Letter Binary Code.
“Imagine that you and your friend have made a binary signaling protocol using a flashlight.

• The Transmitter and Receiver should take a moment to practice with both the Device & Protocol.
• Partners will stand on opposite sides of the classroom.
• The Instructor will provide the Transmitting Student with a four letter code.
• The Instructor will say, “Go.”
• The Receiver should write down what they think the message says.
• Students will check to see if the message received matches the code that was sent by the Transmitter.
• The Transmitter and Receiver should discuss whether or not their protocol needs to be rewritten?  When you are ready, the instructor will provide you with a new message.

Challenge #2 - Transmitting More Complex Binary Code.
“Uh oh! The instructor noticed how good you were getting at writing protocols, so decided to make the activity a little more challenging.

• The instructor will provide a message that may be greater or less than 4 letters.
• The instructor will not say, “Go.”
• The Transmitter and Receiver should now discuss whether or not their protocol needs to be rewritten?