Project description

F*watch is a fully open electronic watch project featuring an integrated GPS receiver.**

The development started at CERN as an after-work project to make a special present for a retiring colleague who likes hiking and timing.

The full design (electronics, mechanics and software) is available under free licenses and the design is exclusively made with free tools.

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Version 1 (click picture to enlarge)

Specifications

Electronics*

Sensors GPS Pressure sensor 3D-accelerometer Compass Ambient light sensor

I/O 128x128 pixels LCD with backlight Micro-USB connector, 4 Buttons Buzzer, vibrating motor MicroSD memory slot

Various 500 mAh Lithium-ion battery, fuel gauge 4-layer PCB

Developed with open KiCad design tool for schematics and PCB

Block diagram

Mechanics*

3D-printed watch case and buttons

Developed with open FreeCAD design tool

Software*

FreeRTOS operating system

Bootloader, drivers, applications

Interface to USB host (e.g. download track data, upload firmware)

Developed with open gcc compiler

Project documents

F*watch team

Project management: Javier

Electronics: Matthieu †, Tom, Eva, Thedi, Keith

Mechanics: Javier, David, Maciej

Software: Andrzej, Orson, Greg, Thedi, Federico, Xavier

"Making of" movie: Maciej

OHR site management: Erik

Status

Date Event 28-04-2014 Idea for a special present for retiring colleague coined by Javier. 09-05-2014 First meeting. Main features and task forces defined. Aim to have a prototype by September. 16-05-2014 Main components chosen. ComponentSelection. 27-05-2014 Schematics draft ready for review. 03-06-2014 Board almost fully routed. 15-07-2014 Prototype PCB received. 16-07-2014 First board mounted, MCU is accessible with debugger, found a bug in TPS780180300 datasheet. 03-08-2014 Pressure sensor reading and display works. 04-08-2014 3D printed case received. Everything fits. 14-08-2014 Hackathon at CERN. 22-08-2014 Case V3 prototype received, 3D printed in resin. 25-08-2014 First GPS lock! 08-10-2014 F*watch given to the retiring colleague at his goodbye party. 24-10-2014 Designing better housing, with bug fixes and better fastening of the two housing parts. 11-02-2015 Interest shown to improve design with Bluetooth so it can be used as a health monitoring hub.

28 July 2015