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2 layers202.6 × 43.9 mm8bit, the printed circuit board in 3D

8bit computer program loader

Size
202.6 × 43.9 mm
Copper layers
2
Thickness
1.6 mm
Parts
10
Nets
103
Pads
132
Tracks, vias
0, 0
Routed
Not yet
KiCad
KiCad 7 (file 20221018)
Created
19 Nov 2023
Updated
10 Jun 2024

Overview

8bit is an open-source printed circuit board by dustinb, from the dustinb/Make8BitBlink repository on GitHub. It is a 2-layer board of 202.6 × 43.9 mm with 10 parts on 103 nets.

It is built around the 74HC595 and PN2222A. Its parts include 4 transistors, 2 resistors, 2 ICs and 2 connectors. It belongs with the retro computing and games boards and the ESP32 boards of this library.

Main components

2

README

README.md

Make 8 Bit Blink

This is a program loader for Ben Eater's 8 bit computer. This is a work in progress.

Preview

BOM

ItemLink
ESP32https://a.co/d/88cG9Z5
74HC595 Shift Registerhttps://a.co/d/fSzBLRR
PN2222 Transistorshttps://a.co/d/9t9HXHG
40pin Socket Headershttps://a.co/d/aSeVX48
22awg Hookup Wirehttps://a.co/d/aD9MhwA

Overview

The ESP32 polls the api (/run endpoint) for programs periodically. If a program is in a queue the loader hatls the computer and loads the program.

API

The api can by running docker compose up in the api directory.

Programs are queued in the order they are received. A program can be queued by POSTing to the /program endpoint with the following JSON structure.

json
{
    "clockSpeed": 100,
    "time": 20,
    "name": "42",
    "memory": [
        {
            "address": 14,
            "value": 28
        },
        {
            "address": 15,
            "value": 14
        }
    ],
    "instructions": [
        {
            "name": "LDA",
            "argument": 14
        },
        {
            "name": "ADD",
            "argument": 15
        },
        {

Parts

10
QtyValueFootprintReferences
4PN2222APackage_TO_SOT_THT:TO-92_InlineQ1, Q2, Q3, Q4
2RResistor_THT:R_Axial_DIN0207_L6.3mm_D2.5mm_P10.16mm_HorizontalR1, R2
174HC595Package_DIP:DIP-16_W7.62mmU2
1Conn_01x30_SocketConnector_PinSocket_2.54mm:PinSocket_1x30_P2.54mm_VerticalJ2
1Conn_01x40_SocketConnector_PinSocket_2.54mm:PinSocket_1x40_P2.54mm_VerticalJ1
1ESP32 DevKitV1 DoItproject:ESP32 DevKitV1 DoItU1

Questions

How big is the 8bit PCB?

It measures 202.6 × 43.9 mm and has 2 copper layers, 1.6 mm thick.

What parts does the 8bit use?

10 parts, built around the 74HC595 and PN2222A. The full list of its parts is on this page, with links to each part's symbol and footprint where PCBKit's library has them.

Where can I download the 8bit KiCad files?

From the dustinb/Make8BitBlink repository on GitHub, at the commit this page was made from: the board is pcb/8bit.kicad_pcb and its schematic pcb/8bit.kicad_sch. PCBKit opens the board in the browser, with nothing to install.

Can I use the 8bit design in my own project?

Its repository states no licence, so its author keeps all rights: ask dustinb before reusing the design.

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