Memory

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.