Material Index
Lost and Found
…
Dovecote
…up-to-date maps of all reachable lofts, as well as information regarding waterway closures, collapsed buildings, or temporarily relocated stations.
Network Map
Regular reports are submitted concerning:
- which connections are open,
- how many pigeons are available,
- which flight corridors are obstructed by storms, smoke, or birds of prey,
- the current transit time.
These reports are used to construct a complete map of the network. Each main station then independently calculates the most efficient route. Link-state protocols operate on this very principle: nodes exchange status information and subsequently calculate the shortest paths.
In New Berlin, this process could be entirely analog:
- Each station records its status by punching holes into a thin card.
- Pigeons flying circuit routes distribute copies to all main stations.
- Cartographers update the data on large brass boards.
- Weights are adjusted using movable markers.
- A mechanical route calculator—or Fibo himself—determines the paths.
While slower than digital routing, this approach would be remarkably robust.