From the schematics and the source code, it appears that there are provisions for the octolively modules to communicate with each other.

I was able to my 4 modules into "network" modes but they dont seem that interesting...

Is there documentation for the "network" modes?
Is there any information about what the designer had in mind for these modes?
Is there documentation on the data interface between boards?

From the schematics and the source code, it appears that there are provisions for the octolively modules to communicate with each other.

Yes; there is facility for very-low data rate communication between neighboring nodes. This feature is largely unexploited. One way that it *is* used is in a sync signal to keep the IR LED pulses of neighboring nodes in step, which helps to prevent false signals. For more meaningful communication, we may pick a chip with four or more hardware serial ports for a future interactive LED product.

I was able to my 4 modules into "network" modes but they dont seem that interesting...

The standard Octolively firmware includes eight different response patterns, some of which are similar, and some of which are different. Once unlocked, there are eight more "network mode" patterns built in as well.

These network modes are unadvertised, undocumented, unsupported, experimental modes, provided only in the hopes that (1) they might be a useful starting point for software modification and (2) that someone might enjoy using them; we do not guarantee that they are interesting. When all of your boards are connected in the same network mode, a strong signal (quick, strong movement) applied to one board may create a "flash" of signal that distributes to neighboring cells (on the same board) and to neighboring boards. That is a different behavior from the standard (non-network) modes, where each cell is fully independent.

Is there documentation for the "network" modes?
Is there any information about what the designer had in mind for these modes?
Is there documentation on the data interface between boards?

As these modes are officially undocumented, the official word on that is, of course, "no."

However, from the Octolively source code, the 16 modes are:

You may want to browse through the source code for more about the interface. We do not currently have plans to make the network modes an "official" feature, but hope that you might consider them as a "bonus" on top of normal functionality.

Thank you for your thoughtful reply.
You spoke of the "very-low data rate" and using a chip with more serial ports.
It sounds like you don't consider the current design up to the task of doing something "interesting".
(with software changes only...)

It sounds like you don't consider the current design up to the task of doing something "interesting".

Interesting is a matter of taste. I do consider the current standard functionality interesting-- we wouldn't have offered it otherwise. Even the network modes can be pretty impressive, when used in a large grid. But, the real surprise to us was how *good* the standard, independent-node performance is; it rather sapped the motivation for building more complex network interactions.

I certainly agree that the regular modes are plenty interesting. It's really popular among my visistors. I love the way that people struggle to wrap their mind around what it is.
It's a great fun project!

Of course, I was refering to the network operation being more interesting.

I was imagining some kind of "rippling pond" effect. I was thinking you could do something like that by having a neuron-like suppression period after a light "fires".

I think I understand how the network works now and I tend to agree that it would be painful exercise to do much more with existing hardware.

Maybe a future model?

Apologies if this is a dumb question, but how do you "unlock" the network modes in the firmware?

It might be a dumb question if this were documented, but as we've said, these modes are fully "undocumented."

Hold down the button for a long log time, to get to a selection menu that will let you pick between the network modes and the non-network modes. When enabled, there are 16 possible selections, rather than 8.