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.

To be informed of the latest developments, and participate in the discussions, please subscribe to the mailing list.

Version 1 (click picture to enlarge)

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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

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Project documents

• General information
  • Movies (F*watch - brief history and more)
  • Flyer
  • Slideshow A GPS watch made of free software and hardware, FOSDEM2015 (31 January 2015)
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • What others write about it
  • Users

• Information for designers
  • Electronics
  • Mechanics
  • Software
    • Software
    • Tutorials for development tools
    • Host side software
    • Application development guide
    • Software to-do list
  • Other interesting projects

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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

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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.

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28 July 2015