Ribbon Cables


Multiplex many circuit network connections onto ribbon cables which can carry many signals over long distances.

Utilities
3 hours ago
2.0
100
Circuit network
Owner:
The_LORD_thy_GOD
Source:
https://github.com/wcjohnson/ribbon-cables
Homepage:
https://github.com/wcjohnson/ribbon-cables
License:
MIT
Created:
8 months ago
Latest Version:
0.1.6 (3 hours ago)
Factorio version:
2.0
Downloaded by:
100 users

This mod is currently in BETA.

Ribbon cables multiplex up to 16 red and green circuit connection pins using 1x1 entities that connect to each other using a customized cable network. This allows you to:

  • Fit more circuitry into smaller spaces.
  • Move more information over long distances.
  • Connect smart factory modules compactly using single data cables rather than a lot of power poles.

Other neat features:

  • Actual zero UPS impact - No polling or on-tick code. The virtual wire connections are accomplished using hidden script wires, which have the same speed as normal red and green wire connections.
  • Full flip, rotation, copy/paste, blueprinting, overlap, and undo support.

How to Use:

  1. Research the "Ribbon Cables" tech and craft two Multiplexers from the researched recipe.
  2. Place them in the world, like so:

  1. Find the Ribbon Cable Connection Tool in your toolbox:

  1. Create a connection between your two placed Multiplexers, just as you would a circuit wire:

  1. You're done! Devices connected to corresponding pins on your multiplexers are now all on the same circuit.

You can build any size network of Multiplexers and they will all mutually connect. The pins are connected by number; to see corresponding pin numbers, just mouse over the Multiplexer.

Credits

  • hgschmie for the excellent Fiber Optics mod which inspired this mod. My main problem with Fiber Optics was its use of the electrical network, hence the custom ribbon cable network introduced in this mod.

Contributing

Please use the GitHub repository for questions, bug reports, or pull requests.