Skip to the content
PCBKitNew board
2 layers76.2 × 68.6 mmClock, the printed circuit board in 3D

Building a computer from scratch using 74xx logic chips

Size
76.2 × 68.6 mm
Copper layers
2
Thickness
1.6 mm
Parts
38
Nets
48
Pads
164
Tracks, vias
344, 11
Pours
1
Routed
Yes
KiCad
KiCad 5 (file 20171130)
Created
11 Apr 2018
Updated
4 May 2020

Overview

Clock is an open-source printed circuit board by DutchMaker, from the DutchMaker/TTL-computer repository on GitHub. It is a 2-layer board of 76.2 × 68.6 mm with 38 parts on 48 nets, routed with 344 tracks and 11 vias.

Its parts include 13 resistors, 8 ICs, 6 capacitors, 4 connectors and 3 diodes. It belongs with the lEDs and displays boards of this library.

README

README.md

74xx Computer

My attempt at building a computer from scratch with 74xxx logic chips.

Project Shelved!

I have abandoned this project, but only to reboot it with a different approach.
Make sure to check The DM-02 Computer which is my second attempt at a computer from scratch!

Status as of September 4th, 2019:

General architecture has been worked out as high level schematic.

Worked on instruction set, micro code, module documentation & general notes from time to time (see: Documentation). Only thing missing right now is some documentation on each of the modules.

The entire computer has been built in Logisim to verify that the way I had everything in mind is actually going to work.

I've built a microcode compiler for the Controller's ROM image. This takes a source file which defines all the microcode and compiles it into a binary image that is loaded into the microcode ROM.

The 74xx Computer's instruction set has been implemented, its assembly language is fully documented and I've built an assembler to convert assembly programs to machine code.

Circuit diagrams and PCBs have all been designed in KiCad and have been or are currently being produced:

  • Clock (built and tested)
  • Registers (built and tested)
  • ALU (built and tested)
  • Program Counter (built and tested)
  • Stack Pointer (built and tested)
  • Flags register (built and tested)
  • Memory (built and tested)
  • Memory Access Register (built and tested)
  • Controller (redesigned circuit to account for reset ciruitry - waiting for PCB production)
  • Main Board ( built and tested)

TODO's / Plans:

  • Build the computer in real life (IN PROGRESS)
    • First revision is based on separate PCBs that are all connected together by one large main PCB.
    • If all works out, there may be a second revision will be one large PCB that contains all modules as one circuit.
  • Write additional/updated documentation on all modules.

Assembled computer

Parts

38
QtyValueFootprintReferences
71KResistor_THT:R_Axial_DIN0207_L6.3mm_D2.5mm_P7.62mm_HorizontalR1, R4, R5, R8, R9, R10, R11
410nFCapacitor_THT:C_Rect_L4.6mm_W2.0mm_P2.50mm_MKS02_FKP02C2, C3, C5, C6
4555Package_DIP:DIP-8_W7.62mmU2, U6, U7, U8
3330Resistor_THT:R_Axial_DIN0207_L6.3mm_D2.5mm_P7.62mm_HorizontalR7, R12, R13
3Conn_01x02_MaleConnector_PinHeader_2.54mm:PinHeader_1x02_P2.54mm_VerticalJ2, J3, J4
3LEDLED_THT:LED_D5.0mmD1, D2, D3
274x08Package_DIP:DIP-14_W7.62mmU3, U5
2SW_Push_SPDT74xx-Computer-Footprints:SwitchSW2, SW3
11 MHz74xx-Computer-Footprints:Oscillator_DIP-8_v2Y1
1100nFCapacitor_THT:C_Rect_L4.6mm_W2.0mm_P2.50mm_MKS02_FKP02C4
11MPotentiometer_THT:Potentiometer_Piher_PT-6-V_VerticalR3
11MResistor_THT:R_Axial_DIN0207_L6.3mm_D2.5mm_P7.62mm_HorizontalR6
11uFCapacitor_THT:CP_Radial_D5.0mm_P2.50mmC1
147KResistor_THT:R_Axial_DIN0207_L6.3mm_D2.5mm_P7.62mm_HorizontalR2
174x04Package_DIP:DIP-14_W7.62mmU1
174x32Package_DIP:DIP-14_W7.62mmU4
1Conn_01x05_MaleConnector_PinHeader_2.54mm:PinHeader_1x05_P2.54mm_VerticalJ1
1SW_Push74xx-Computer-Footprints:SW_6mm_TactSW1

Questions

How big is the Clock PCB?

It measures 76.2 × 68.6 mm and has 2 copper layers, 1.6 mm thick.

What parts does the Clock use?

38 parts. 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 Clock KiCad files?

From the DutchMaker/TTL-computer repository on GitHub, at the commit this page was made from: the board is Circuits/KiCad/Clock/Clock.kicad_pcb. PCBKit opens the board in the browser, with nothing to install.

Can I use the Clock design in my own project?

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

More from DutchMaker/TTL-computer

10
  • 2 layers191.1 × 114.3 mmController, the printed circuit board in 3D

    Controller

    DutchMaker/TTL-computer

    Building a computer from scratch using 74xx logic chips

    60 parts24
  • 2 layers286.4 × 484.5 mmCircuits, the printed circuit board in 3D

    Circuits

    DutchMaker/TTL-computer

    Building a computer from scratch using 74xx logic chips

    58 parts24
  • 2 layers144.8 × 114.3 mmMemory Access Register, the printed circuit board in 3D

    Memory Access Register

    DutchMaker/TTL-computer

    Building a computer from scratch using 74xx logic chips

    39 parts24
  • 2 layers132.1 × 86.4 mmALU, the printed circuit board in 3D

    ALU

    DutchMaker/TTL-computer

    Building a computer from scratch using 74xx logic chips

    30 parts24
  • 2 layers149.2 × 86.4 mmMemory, the printed circuit board in 3D

    Memory

    DutchMaker/TTL-computer

    Building a computer from scratch using 74xx logic chips

    29 parts24
  • 2 layers76.2 × 55.9 mmFlags Register, the printed circuit board in 3D

    Flags Register

    DutchMaker/TTL-computer

    Building a computer from scratch using 74xx logic chips

    16 parts24
  • 2 layers81.3 × 82.6 mmProgram Counter, the printed circuit board in 3D

    Program Counter

    DutchMaker/TTL-computer

    Building a computer from scratch using 74xx logic chips

    15 parts24
  • 2 layers81.3 × 50.8 mmStack Pointer, the printed circuit board in 3D

    Stack Pointer

    DutchMaker/TTL-computer

    Building a computer from scratch using 74xx logic chips

    9 parts24
  • 2 layers55.9 × 52.1 mmRegister, the printed circuit board in 3D

    Register

    DutchMaker/TTL-computer

    Building a computer from scratch using 74xx logic chips

    7 parts24
  • 2 layers53.3 × 52.1 mmInstruction Register, the printed circuit board in 3D

    Instruction Register

    DutchMaker/TTL-computer

    Building a computer from scratch using 74xx logic chips

    6 parts24

Similar boards

  • 2 layers85 × 115 mmOSO BOOK C1, the printed circuit board in 3D

    OSO BOOK C1

    joeycastillo/The-Open-Book

    For details on how to build, test and use Open Book, I've made documentation available here.

    38 parts8.1kCC-BY-SA-4.0
  • 2 layers38.1 × 12.7 mmVrs io 1, the printed circuit board in 3D

    Vrs io 1

    rusefi/rusefi

    rusefi - GPL internal combustion engine control unit

    38 parts1.2k
  • 2 layers136 × 84 mmMacropad, the printed circuit board in 3D

    Macropad

    hackclub/OnBoard

    💡 Join 1,000 teenagers and make your first PCB with a $100 grant!

    38 parts915
  • 2 layers126.4 × 15.2 mmV5ProbeTop, the printed circuit board in 3D

    V5ProbeTop

    Architeuthis-Flux/JumperlessV5

    The next generation jumperless breadboard

    38 parts332
  • 2 layers66 × 25.4 mmArdmover Empfangsspule Yann, the printed circuit board in 3D

    Ardmover Empfangsspule Yann

    Ardumower/ardumower

    Develop an open source robotic lawn mower (HW+SW reference platform)

    38 parts282
  • 2 layers17.8 × 17.8 mmAltmode friend, the printed circuit board in 3D

    Altmode friend

    CRImier/MyKiCad

    My KiCad boards. Can't be bothered uploading individually anymore, so here you go.

    38 parts253GPL-3.0
  • 2 layers51.4 × 61 mmWifi gb cart, the printed circuit board in 3D

    Wifi gb cart

    Staacks/wifi-game-boy-cartridge

    A WiFi cartridge for the original Game Boy.

    38 parts242
  • 2 layers125 × 97.2 mmBattoota, the printed circuit board in 3D

    Battoota

    AlaaSaadAbdo/battoota

    Keyboards

    38 parts188