ECE 110/120 Honors Lab Section : 8 Bit Computer (2)

PROJECT PARTNERS :

Hemang Nehra (hnehra2) (ECE110)

Daksh Varshney (dv5) (ECE110)

INTRODUCTION

A) Statement of Purpose : 

By gaining the knowledge that we gained from our first ECE course, Introduction to Computing, @Illinois last semester, we want to implement the knowledge by making our own mini-computer. Using the knowledge acquired from the ECE 120 and the course we are taking this semester. We aim at applying our understanding from these subjects together in a whole new mini-computer from the basic components that we have learnt about. 

B) Background Research :

In the course Introduction to Computing, we have learnt the basic components of a computer that can help us build a computer with basic functionality. We have also gained knowledge the basic programming which includes assembly language and C programming. Applying these skills from the most basic level, we will come up with our self-sufficient computer which includes a PIR sensors which could be used to turn on or turn off the computer system without the use of any physical push button. In our project, we will be using the guide "Digital Computer Electronics" by Malvino and online videos by Ben Eater. 

Our subgroup will focus the processing unit which includes the arithematic and logic unit and the temporary registers.After we have finished this part we will try to implement the control logic. Meanwhile, the other subgroup will focus on the memory unit and the program counter. Once, each group is done with their respective jobs, we will incorporate them into a single computer.

DESIGN DETAILS

A) Block Diagram

PARTS REQUIRED

POSSIBLE CHALLENGES

• For this honors project, we will be dividing the work into two teams. Once each team has completed their part, there will be a required effort to compile the work of each team into a single functional computer. 
• This is a complex and lengthy project, it will require a lot of time commitment and we are willing to put in at least 5 hrs. each week. 
• We hope to get the hardware functioning at least, and will start to work on the software and the interface after we finish and combine both are projects.
• There are a lot of parts and complex circuit connections that we don't have any idea about how to effectively mimic and learning about them would be quite interesting for us to accomplish.

REFERENCES

   1.  https://eater.net/8bit/ - Ben Eater's 8-bit computer

   2. https://www.amazon.com/Digital-Computer-Electronics-Albert-Malvino/dp/0028005945 - Digital Computer Electronics by Albert P. Malvino and Jerald A Brown