Introduction

Generally, interfaces in a microprocessor function as the connection between different parts of peripherals as well as the interaction between human and computer. Interfaces enable peripherals to perform various operations and display desired outputs to users. Memory Interfacing and I/O Interfacing are the two main types of interfacing. In our case, we will focus on I/O Interfacing, which displays the type of logic operation that we select. To be more technical, we are going to design an input panel with LED indicators, setup the connection between input and Arithmetic Logic Units (ALU) and assemble the displayer for indicating the output of the operation.

Purpose

The purpose of this project is to make the interfaces that function as the connection between the components of computer as well as the interaction between human and computer. Our hardware interface design not only enables the buses to exchange data with storage and I/O registers, but also manages to display the status and movement of computing according to the input of users.

Design

Flow Charts

Parts

TTL chips

Bridle wires

Breadboards

RGBW LEDs

Challenge

In order to acquire precise result, the computer should use the suitable logic operation. Since there are four logic operations, the biggest challenge for us is to let the processor choose the right type of logic operation.

Besides, there are two ways of communication in which the microprocessor can connect with the outside world:

Serial Communication Interface − In this type of communication, the interface gets a single byte of data from the microprocessor and sends it bit by bit to the other system serially and vice-versa.

Parallel Communication Interface − In this type of communication, the interface gets a byte of data from the microprocessor and sends it bit by bit to the other systems in simultaneous (or) parallel fashion and vice-versa.

We choose not to perform the serial communication interface because it is a little clumsy. We decide to go for the parallel communication interface. However, it is difficult to synchronize the overall interface processing. A clock may have to be added which makes the design of interface even more complicated.

Finally, during the computer processes the carriers of the ALU, the circumstance of overflow may happen. We will try to use another set of output processing method to notify user that there’s an overflow happening.

Reference

Professor Franke

http://computer.howstuffworks.com/microprocessor.htm

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Build-an-8-Bit-Computer/