Fingermouse 4

Type: Semester thesis
Students: Simon Haegler, Simon Schneiter

This work focussed on building a new hardware prototype in the fingermouse project Fingermouse Project. The goal was to build a compact, autonomous protype, for real world testing and for demonstration purposes.

Goals:

• Test Platform for future Tracking Algorithms
• In-System Programmable with JTAG
• Self-Configuration at Power-Up through Flash PROM
• Autonomous Operation using Battery Pack
• Credit Card Sized
• Modular Design (enable exchange of imagesensor)
• Serial Communication (RS-232 Interface)

The following components were used:

• Xilinx Spartan II FPGA with Xilinx Configuration Flash
• National LM9628 CMOS Image Sensor
• Toshiba TC55VBM416 16Mbit SRAM
• Clock Generator ICS525
• RS-232 Interface Maxim MAX3232

We have designed a modular and stacked hardware for the FingerMouse 4, offering flexibility for future extensions. On the upper circuit board the two stereometrically aligned image sensors can be recognized.

The main pcb offers the communication interfaces and computing power needed for image processing.

We implemented a VHDL framework to enable future work on the development and testing of new fingertracking algorithms in "hardware" on the FPGA. It offers an easy-to-use interface for serial communication, RAM access and control of the image sensors.