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Next: Example: A Growing Point Up: Example: A Simple Line Previous: Diagnosing a Disconnect

Selecting a Repair Mechanism

In the case of the broken line segment, additional tools must be brought to bear on the problem. The following algorithm demonstrates how to repair a line segment if it is known when and where the break occurs.

1.
A broken segment is composed of two pieces. Materials know which end they are on, so they secrete the pheremone associated with their polarity.
2.
Next, start a growing point at the processor which senses the greatest presence of the opposite polarity's pheremone.
3.
Move in a direction ortho+ towards the opposite polarity and ortho- from own polarity.
4.
Terminate when sensing an opposite polarity material.
Inspired by the DNA language, an alternate method of repair involves a peer pressure algorithm in which the materials themselves grow towards each other.
1.
A broken segment is composed of 2 or more pieces. Each piece creates a unique identifier based on the LONUM algorithm [1].
2.
Each piece secretes a pheremone with its label.
3.
Unlabelled processors detect the presence of multiple pheremones dedifferentiate so they might be recruited as fresh material.
4.
Dedifferentiated materials nearby labelled materials become labelled materials.
5.
This continues until the broken ends meet.


next up previous
Next: Example: A Growing Point Up: Example: A Simple Line Previous: Diagnosing a Disconnect
Jeremy Zucker
2000-06-10