Parag Bajaj (paragb2)
Tanmay Thakur (tthakur2)
Introduction
Statement of Purpose
In today's world, computers play an integral role. The day-to-day life interaction with computers is heavily dependent on software. People tend to overlook the hardware aspect of the computer. As ECE majors, we aim to gain technical knowledge on the functioning of the core components of a computer. Building the 8-bit computer provides us an opportunity to apply the concepts learnt in ECE 110 and ECE 120 and boost our technical knowledge regrading the construction of the various components of the computer and linking them together to make a simple, self-sufficient computer.
Background Research
To understand more about the functionality of the various computer components, we referred to Digital Computer Electronics by Albert P. Malvino and Jerald A Brown. We followed the Simplest-As-Possible (SAP) designs from the book along with the tutorials from Ben Eater's 8-bit Computer.
Our subgroup will focus on the memory unit, which includes the Random Access Memory. After we achieve this, we will focs on the program counter. In the meantime, the other subgroup will focus on the processing unit which includes the arithematic and logic unit and the temporary registers . After each group finishes their respective tasks, we will incorporate them into a single 8 bit computer.
Design Details
Parts List
| Quantity | Quantity | Quantity | Quantity | Quantity |
| 7 | Breadboard | $3 - $8 | $21 - $56 | Amazon |
| 1 | 22 AWG Solid Tinned-Copper Hook-Up Wire | $18.00 | $18.00 | AmazonJameco |
| 9 | 1kΩ resistor | $0.04 | $0.36 | DigikeyAmazon |
| 8 | 10kΩ resistor | $0.04 | $0.32 | DigikeyAmazon |
| 2 | 100kΩ resistor | $0.04 | $0.08 | DigikeyAmazon |
| 8 | 470Ω resistor | $0.04 | $0.32 | DigikeyAmazon |
| 1 | 1MΩ resistor | $0.04 | $0.04 | DigikeyAmazon |
| 1 | 1MΩ potentiometer | $2.50 | $2.50 | DigikeyAmazon |
| 6 | 0.01µF capacitor | $0.15 | $0.90 | DigikeyAmazon |
| 2 | 0.1µF capacitor | $0.18 | $0.36 | DigikeyAmazon |
| 1 | 1µF capacitor | $0.71 | $0.71 | DigikeyAmazon |
| 4 | 555 timer IC | $0.41 | $1.64 | Digikey Ebay |
| 2 | 74LS00 (Quad NAND gate) | $0.50 | $0.50 | AmazonDigikey Ebay |
| 5 | 74LS04 (Hex inverter) | $0.50 | $2.50 | AmazonDigikey Ebay |
| 2 | 74LS08 (Quad AND gate) | $0.50 | $1.00 | AmazonDigikey Ebay |
| 1 | 74LS32 (Quad OR gate) | $0.50 | $0.50 | AmazonDigikey Ebay |
| 1 | 74LS76 (Dual JK flip-flop) | $2.00 | $2.00 | Amazon Ebay |
| 1 | 74LS139 (Dual 2-line to 4-line decoder) | $0.50 | $0.50 | Amazon Ebay |
| 4 | 74LS157 (Quad 2-to-1 line data selector) | $0.50 | $2.00 | Amazon Ebay |
| 1 | 74LS161 (4-bit synchronous binary counter) | $0.50 | $2.00 | Ebay |
| 1 | 74LS173 (4-bit D-type register) | $1.00 | $7.00 | Ebay |
| 2 | 74LS189 (64-bit random access memory) | $1.50 | $3.00 | Ebay |
| 5 | 74LS245 (Octal bus transceiver) | $0.50 | $2.50 | Amazon Ebay |
| 1 | 74LS273 (Octal D flip-flop) | $0.50 | $0.50 | Amazon Ebay |
| 1 | 28C16 EEPROM | $3.80 | $24.00 | Ebay |
| 2 | Double-throw toggle switch | $2.50 | $7.60 | Amazon |
| 2 | Momentary 6mm tact switch | $0.50 | $5.00 | Amazon |
| 1 | 8-position DIP switch | $0.50 | $0.50 | Amazon Ebay |
| 1 | 4-position DIP switch | $0.05 | $0.50 | Amazon Ebay |
| 31 | Red LED | $0.05 | $2.05 | Amazon Ebay |
| 4 | Yellow LED | $0.05 | $1.00 | Amazon Ebay |
| 5 | Green LED | $0.05 | $0.55 | Amazon Ebay |
| 5 | Blue LED | $0.75 | $1.10 | Amazon Ebay |
| 4 | Common cathode 7-segment display | $3.00 | Amazon Ebay |
Possible Challenges
Since the project is divided into two groups, the biggest challenges are:
Making sure that both the groups are working at the same pace and there is good communication
Both groups can seamlessly integrate their work
Other possible challenges
Learning and applying newly learnt knowledge about various computer components in the given time frame
Future Plans
This project is limited to 8-bits only. Once we have gained enough technical knowledge, the next goal is to scale it to 16-bits so that the computer can perform more complex fucntions.
References
https://eater.net/8bit/ - Ben Eater's 8-bit computer
https://www.amazon.com/Digital-Computer-Electronics-Albert-Malvino/dp/0028005945 - Digital Computer Electronics by Albert P. Malvino and Jerald A Brown
Posted by atmarsh3 at Feb 16, 2018 16:12
