Team 8: Nate GimpleSteven TigheAmit HaleviNoah Husek

Project Overview Artistic 3 -D light sculpture 8 x 8 x 8 LED matrix Environmental inputs Interactive Proof of concept Steven

Functional Overview Run various light patterns Take external inputs Environmental User Simple games Snake Pong Game of Life (cellular automata) Steven

FPGA computer super node 0 super node 1 super node 7 node 0 (LED) node 1 node 7 module 0 … … super node 8 super node 63 … Hierarchy / block diagram … I2CI2C sensor input user input Amit

Super-node composition 8 nodes (1 RGB LED per node) 4 pin, common anode, diffused epoxy, 10 mm RGB LEDs One microcontroller Sensors (each super-node may not be populated) I 2 C communication (to FPGA) UART communication to orthogonal neighbors Amit

Low Level Objectives Noah

Mid Level Objectives Super-nodes intercommunicate Super-nodes run scripts autonomously Simple algorithmic games (e.g. Game of Life) Senses environmental input Photocells Microphones Full sized device (8 modules, 64 super-nodes, 512 nodes) Noah

High Level Objectives Additional sensors Thermistors Barometers Geiger counters User input (e.g. Wiimote, keyboard) Audience proof Resilient to damage Hot swappable Self boot-loadable DMX – industrial lighting protocol Noah

Microcontroller Atmel ATxmega64A1 24 PWM channels Built in ADC and DAC 4 I 2 C interfaces 8 USARTs Operates at 32 MHz And many other features Nate

Physical Construction Physical hierarchy 512 nodes each consisting of one LED Each 2 x 2 x 2 node is a super-node Each 2 x 2 x 2 super-node is a module Full unit consists of 8 modules Rigid frame constructed from PCBs 2’ length per edge is much reduced from original 5’ 700W computer power supply Buck converter 12V  5V Nate

Budget Steven Worst Case ItemCost ($) Programmer200 Adaptor board100 µC350 LEDs400 LED drivers200 Sensors200 PCBs600 Frame200 Power supply40 Misc.100 Total2390

Risks Constructing the full cube might be ambitious (scaling). We might only attempt one module. Addressing in a logical and intuitive way PCBs as structural members Ordering LEDs from Hong Kong (unknown vendor) MOSFET switching 5V with a 3.3V gate signal quickly Learning to use the Nios II soft-core on the FPGA Cost! Steven

Division of Labor Amit: addressing scheme, communication protocol Steven: construction/SMD soldering, PCB layout Noah: coding (soft-core and super-node) Nate: power supply Everyone: code and construction. Amit

Testing/Debugging Modularity (start with one unit, then expand) LEDs provide an easy way to confirm results …Did we mention modularity? Amit

Accomplishments by CDR Super-node hardware prototype Demo firmware 24 channel PWM Runs simple autonomous patterns/scripts on super- node All parts selected (sensors, LED drivers) Know how to program Nios II soft-core Nate

Milestone 1 “Puppet” mode (FPGA direct control) More super-nodes (a full module = 8 super-nodes) Establish intercommunication (maybe) Power supply (350 5V) Nate

Milestone 2 Full cube construction More complex super-node autonomous scripts Environmental input Simple algorithmic games (GOL) Be ready for expo Nate

Schedule Nate

Other Considerations Safety: High current, but low voltage  safe. Sustainability: Every part except μC are available from multiple vendors. No support required short of uploading new code. Manufacturability: Component tolerances will have little or no impact. Physical construction will be difficult and laborious. Modular approach simplifies testability. Noah

Questions?