A Molecular Communication Testbed Based on Proton Pumping Bacteria: Methods and Data

This paper presents a detailed description of a recent biological molecular communication (MC) testbed and provides a set of experimental measurement data. In particular, the MC testbed is realized using
Escherichia coli
(
E. coli
) bacteria that express the light-driven proton pump gloeorhodopsin (GR) from
Gloeobacter violaceus
(
G. violaceus
). Upon an external light stimulus, these bacteria (as the transmitter) export protons (as the signaling molecules) into the channel. This changes the pH level of the environment, which can be detected with a pH sensor (as the receiver). To facilitate future advancement in the experimentation of MC systems, in this paper, we explain the methodology used for the development of our testbed and discuss the reasoning behind the choices made throughout its evolution. Moreover, we provide different categories of measurement data obtained with the testbed. The data set is expected to facilitate and promote the experimental evaluation of communication schemes developed by the MC community.