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Anima Locus Hardware

CERN-OHL-S v2 Licensed | Open Hardware Design Files

Hardware design files for Anima Locus—an open, sensor-driven musical instrument.

Overview

This repository contains complete fabrication sources for the Anima Locus hardware platform:

  • Schematics (KiCad format)
  • PCB layouts (multi-layer board designs)
  • Bill of Materials (BoMs with part numbers and sourcing info)
  • Enclosure designs (STEP files, 3D printable parts)
  • Test fixtures (bring-up and validation hardware)
  • Assembly documentation

Hardware Platform

Main Components

  • Arduino UNO Q (NXP i.MX 93 application processor + STM32U585 microcontroller)
  • DSI/HDMI display interface
  • USB audio/MIDI class-compliant peripherals
  • Coral USB accelerator (optional ML)
  • Sensor interfaces (I2C, UART, USB)

Sensor Suite

Gestural Sensors:

  • 60-64 GHz mmWave radar module (baton space tracking)
  • MGC3130 E-field sensor (near-surface gestures)
  • VL53L5CX ToF 8x8 depth array
  • Beamforming microphone arrays (DoA/VAD)

Environmental Sensors:

  • BME688 (temperature, humidity, pressure, gas)
  • SCD40/SCD41 CO₂ sensor
  • MLX90640 thermal camera (32x24)
  • VEML7700 ambient light sensor

Audio Post:

  • Optional Nutube 6P1 dual-triode stage

Front Panel Controls & Human Interface

Add hardware controls for immediate performance and safe operation:

  • Terroir Depth knob: analog or incremental encoder hooking to MCU ADC or encoder interrupts; master control for environmental coupling
  • Baseline Set button: momentary pushbutton that triggers baseline capture flow on the MCU
  • Macros (2–4 knobs): assignable hardware knobs, mirrored in the Conductor HUD
  • XY pad: capacitive touch or mechanical pad for expressive 2D parameter control
  • Nutube Drive & Output Level: potentiometers for analog preamp control

Panel wiring notes:

  • Use hardware debouncing for contact switches and simple RC for analog anti-noise
  • Provide ESD and EMI suppression for front-panel controls (e.g., surge protectors, ferrite beads)

Repository Structure

hw/
├── schematics/          # KiCad schematic files
│   ├── main-board/
│   ├── sensor-board/
│   └── audio-post/
├── pcb/                 # PCB layouts and Gerbers
├── bom/                 # Bills of materials
├── enclosure/           # STEP, STL, CAD files
├── test-fixtures/       # Bring-up and test hardware
├── assembly/            # Assembly guides
└── fabrication/         # Fab packages (Gerbers, drill, PnP)

Design Files

KiCad Version

Minimum: KiCad 8.0

All schematics and PCB layouts use KiCad 8.x format.

3D Models

Enclosure and mechanical parts provided as:

  • STEP (universal CAD interchange)
  • STL (3D printing)
  • DXF (laser cutting)

Fabrication

PCB Specifications

  • Layers: 4-layer (signal, ground, power, signal)
  • Thickness: 1.6mm
  • Finish: ENIG (gold) for sensor pads, HASL for power
  • Minimum trace/space: 0.15mm/0.15mm

Assembly

  • SMT components: Professional assembly recommended (fine-pitch ICs)
  • Through-hole: Hand-solderable connectors and headers

Full fabrication packages (Gerbers, drill files, BOM, PnP) available in fabrication/ directory.

Bill of Materials

Complete BoMs with part numbers and supplier links in bom/ directory:

  • bom-main-board.csv - Main controller and interfaces
  • bom-sensor-board.csv - All sensor modules
  • bom-audio-post.csv - Optional analog audio stage
  • bom-mechanical.csv - Enclosure hardware, fasteners

Estimated component cost: $200-300 USD (quantity 1, excluding fabrication)

Test Fixtures

Hardware test fixtures for bring-up and validation:

  • Power supply test rig - Verify all rails, load testing
  • Sensor breakout boards - Individual sensor validation
  • Signal integrity probe points - Critical nets accessible

Licensing

This hardware design is licensed under CERN Open Hardware Licence Version 2 - Strongly Reciprocal (CERN-OHL-S v2).

See LICENSE for full text.

What this means:

  • ✅ You can: Use, study, modify, share, and manufacture
  • ✅ You must: Share your modifications under the same license
  • ✅ You must: Provide complete source (schematics, PCBs, BoMs)
  • ❌ You cannot: Make it proprietary or close the design

Reciprocal hardware licensing protects the commons.

Defensive Publication

This hardware design is part of a documented system establishing prior art for sensor-fusion musical instrument architectures. See top-level docs-site/ for full technical disclosure.

Contributing

We welcome hardware contributions! See CONTRIBUTING.md for:

  • Design guidelines
  • KiCad library conventions
  • PCB layout rules
  • Testing requirements
  • Pull request process

Safety & Compliance

⚠️ This is open hardware for experimental/educational use.

  • No EMC/FCC/CE testing has been performed
  • No UL/CSA safety certification
  • Power supply design uses standard components but requires careful review
  • Nutube circuit operates at high voltage (100V+) - handle with care

Build and use at your own risk.

Related Repositories

Links

Part of the Anima Locus project and The Authentic Rebellion Framework ecosystem.