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)
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
- 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
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