Download LED CUBE

Team 8:
Nate Gimple
Steven Tighe
Amit Halevi
Noah 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
Hierarchy / block diagram
computer
user
input
FPGA
I2C
super
node 0
node 0
(LED)
node 1
super
node 1
…
module 0
…
super
node 7
sensor
input
node 7
Amit
…
super
node 8
…
super
node 63
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)
 I2C communication (to FPGA)
 UART communication to orthogonal neighbors
Amit
Low Level Objectives
 Lights up!
 Runs preprogrammed patterns/scripts
 Modular (nodes, super-nodes, modules, UNIT)
 Portable
 Make use of available Altera FPGA Nios II soft-core
 Individually addressable nodes
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 I2C 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
Worst Case
Item
Cost ($)
Programmer
200
Adaptor board
100
µC
350
LEDs
400
LED drivers
200
Sensors
200
PCBs
600
Frame
200
Power supply
40
Misc.
100
Total
2390
Steven
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 supernode
 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 W @ 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?