TRACE Device

TRACE (Tool for Rapid Analysis, Calibration and Evaluation) is a compact, modular, multi-sensor embedded device designed for real-time measurement and display of spatial data. The device integrates various sensors with an interactive graphical interface to support tasks such as precision distance measurement, orientation tracking, and heading detection.

Overview

TRACE is engineered to provide accurate, multi-modal measurement capabilities in a portable form factor. It features a 1.69" full-color IPS LCD and an intuitive rotary encoder-based navigation system, allowing users to interact with the device across multiple modes. The platform is suitable for applications in prototyping, CAD sketching, mobile robotics, and on-site field measurements.

Key Features

• Distance Measurement
  • Time-of-Flight (ToF) sensor for short-to-mid range distance readings
  • Magnetic rotary encoder for linear displacement or rolling distance tracking
• Orientation and Heading
  • 9-axis IMU (accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer)
  • Real-time computation and display of roll, pitch, and yaw
• Display and UI
  • 1.69" IPS LCD display (240x280 pixels)
  • LVGL-based graphical UI with animated transitions and interactive menus
• User Input
  • Rotary encoder with button functionality for intuitive control
• Core Hardware
  • ESP32-WROOM microcontroller with integrated Wi-Fi and BLE support

Hardware Components

Component	Specification / Model
Microcontroller	ESP32-WROOM Module
Display	Waveshare 1.69" LCD (SPI, 240×280, IPS)
IMU	BNO055 (or compatible 9-axis IMU)
ToF Sensor	VL53L1X
Magnetic Encoder	AS5600 Magnetic Rotary Encoder
Input	KY-040 Rotary Encoder with push button
Power Supply	Li-ion battery with USB charging support
Enclosure	3D printed, ergonomic enclosure

Software Architecture

The firmware is developed using the Arduino framework and structured for clarity and modularity:

src/
├── main.cpp            # Main entry point
├── display.cpp         # LVGL UI and rendering logic
├── sensors.cpp         # IMU, ToF, and Encoder data management 
├── navigation.cpp      # Rotary encoder input handling
├── events.cpp          # Event callbacks for UI elements

• UI Library: LVGL v9+
• Development Environment: PlatformIO (recommended) or Arduino IDE
• RTOS Used: FreeRTOS integration for multi-tasking

Build and Upload Instructions

Prerequisites

• PlatformIO CLI
• Supported USB driver for ESP32
• Correct wiring of all sensors and peripherals

PlatformIO Build Steps

git clone https://github.com/tejaswisam/trace_device.git
cd trace_device
platformio run
platformio upload

Measurement Modes

1. Laser Ranging Mode

   • Initiates a 3-second rolling average using the ToF sensor

2. Rolling Distance Mode

   • Uses encoder input to track movement distance

3. Orientation Mode

   • Displays real-time orientation using the IMU

4. Settings

   • Placeholder for calibration and device configuration options

Project Goals and Use Cases

• Portable spatial data capture for CAD integration
• Indoor measurement in constrained or GPS-denied environments
• Robotic mapping and sensor fusion applications
• Educational demonstrations of embedded systems and sensor integration

Future Development

• Wi-Fi/Bluetooth data export
• DXF or SVG generation from encoder + IMU paths
• SD card support for offline data logging
• Mobile application interface for live visualization

License

This project is licensed under the MIT License. You are free to use, modify, and distribute this software under the terms of the license.

Contact

For questions, support, or collaboration inquiries, please open a GitHub issue or contact the maintainers at tejaswisamavedula@gmail.com.