DIY-Calculator Hardware:Community Portal
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| The '''DIY Calculator Hardware Project''' consists of several sub projects: | The '''DIY Calculator Hardware Project''' consists of several sub projects: | ||
| - | # Creating the real [[#Hardware Project|hardware]]: a printed circuit board ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Printed_circuit_board PCB]) with the processing chips, an LCD module, switches, and connectivity to a host computer | + | # Creating the real [[DIY-Calculator_Hardware:Hardware Project|hardware]]: a printed circuit board ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Printed_circuit_board PCB]) with the processing chips, an LCD module, switches, and connectivity to a host computer |
| - | # Implementing the DIY Calculator [[#FPGA Project| CPU]] together with supporting functional blocks within a programmable logic chip (a so-called "Field Programmable Gate Array" - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FPGA FPGA]). | + | # Implementing the DIY Calculator [[DIY-Calculator_Hardware:FPGA Project|FPGA]] together with supporting functional blocks within a programmable logic chip (a so-called "Field Programmable Gate Array" - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FPGA FPGA]). |
| - | # Writing the [[#ROM Monitor Project|firmware]] running on the hardware, including a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Read-only_memory ROM] monitor | + | # Writing the [[DIY-Calculator_Hardware:ROM Monitor Project|firmware]] running on the hardware, including a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Read-only_memory ROM] monitor |
| - | # Adding a [[#Upload Utility Project|software tool]] for communicating with the hardware (e.g. uploading user programs) | + | # Adding a [[DIY-Calculator_Hardware:Upload Utility Project|software tool]] for communicating with the hardware (e.g. uploading user programs) |
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| - | + | On the projects pages you will find information about the progress of the project as well as technical details. | |
| - | On this page you will find information about the progress of the project as well as technical details. | + | <br style="clear:left;" /> |
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| - | == Hardware Project == | + | |
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| - | Block diagram of the PCB: [[Image:Blockdiagram.jpg|thumb|left]] | + | |
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| - | The layout will somewhat resemble the layout of the (virtual) DIY Calculator with an 20x1 character LC display and a 70 keys sensor key matrix. Additionally there are connectivity means for a host PC: | + | |
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| - | * serial (RS-232) for uploading user programs and providing a console to the DIY Calculator CPU | + | |
| - | * a JTAG programming connector; this connects to the PC's parallel port and enables the user to load new designs into the FPGA | + | |
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| - | Additionally there will be sockets for external ROM/RAM chips and a large prototyping area for free use. | + | |
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| - | Download the detailed schematics from here: [[Image:schematics.pdf]] | + | |
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| - | '''Project status''' (19.Jul.2006): schematics completed, PCB layout work started | + | |
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| - | == FPGA Project == | + | |
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| - | The PCB will contain an FPGA chip in the 10K-gates size-class (Lattice LFEC10E-3F256C) with a 256 pin BGA footprint. The included JTAG connector makes this a development board for general use. With ispLEVER, the FPGA development software suite from [http://www.latticesemi.com Lattice Semiconductor], the FPGA design can be altered or a completely new design can be made. The entry level version of ispLEVER ([http://www.latticesemi.com/products/designsoftware/isplever/ispleverstarter.cfm ispLEVER-Starter]) can be downloaded freely from Lattice. With Lattice's [http://www.latticesemi.com/products/designsoftware/ispvmsystem/index.cfm ispVM System] the design can be transferred via JTAG to the DIY Calculator PCB. | + | |
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| - | The FPGA design of the DIY Calculator is based on the [http://www.diycalculator.com/popup-m-phyver.shtml work] of Steven Cooper, Carl Hoggins, Bjornar Prestegard, Svein Roar Kvaale, and Dr Albert Koelmans (instructor) of the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, England. | + | |
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| - | Additionally to the CPU and ROM and RAM there will be special logic for the switch matrix, for LCD output, an a UART for RS-232 communication to the host PC. | + | |
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| - | '''Project status''' (19.Jul.2006): concept proved, integration of the existing VHDL design (was done with Altera/Quartus) into ispLEVER | + | |
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| - | == ROM Monitor Project == | + | |
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| - | On of the primary goals of the DIY Calculator project is to teach how computers are working on machine language level ("How Computers Do Math"). So everyone is highly encouraged to translate various algorithms into assembly programs for the DIY Calculator. The current virtual DIY Calculator comes with a ready-to-use environment, which includes the calculator-like user interface, an assembler, a simulator, single-step debugger, and memory and register display. When translating the design to a physical one there has to be an environment, too. The most important functionality (and this is the only one being in scope of this project) is to run user programs to the DIY Calculator hardware. To be able to do that there must be means of: | + | |
| - | * uploading the program to the hardware | + | |
| - | * store it in some non-volatile storage | + | |
| - | * actually run it | + | |
| - | * obtain some status information (e.g. terminated correctly, does not fit into memory, etc.) | + | |
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| - | This is the objective of the ROM monitor. The ROM monitor is, as its name suggests, a program which resides within the ROM of the DIY Calculator. It is always present there and provides for the above mentioned supervising tasks. It uses the RS-232 port both for transferring the user program and as console port to which you can connect with a terminal emulation program (or a real "dumb" terminal if can get hold of one ..) to enter commands and display status information. The ROM monitor will be written in the DIY Calculator's assembly language and will additionally supply some basic functions (e.g. status/log output via RS-232) to user programs. | + | |
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| - | '''Project status''' (19.Jul.2006): basic conceptual design ready | + | |
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| - | == Upload Utility Project == | + | |
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| - | The user program upload process is handled by the ROM monitor on the DIY Calculator side. But there must be a means of sending a program to the DIY Calculator. While it is possible to send a file with the terminal emulation program a GUI program is preferable. Furthermore, by having a dedicated program for this task it is possible to generate a check sum or use a protocol of choice for ensuring correct transmission. The transmission status (success/failure) can be displayed. This program should be written in "C" using the GTK library of GUI widgets to be easily ported to different platforms. | + | |
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| - | '''Project status''' (19.Jul.2006): considered | + | |
Current revision
The DIY Calculator Hardware Project consists of several sub projects:
- Creating the real hardware: a printed circuit board (PCB) with the processing chips, an LCD module, switches, and connectivity to a host computer
- Implementing the DIY Calculator FPGA together with supporting functional blocks within a programmable logic chip (a so-called "Field Programmable Gate Array" - FPGA).
- Writing the firmware running on the hardware, including a ROM monitor
- Adding a software tool for communicating with the hardware (e.g. uploading user programs)
On the projects pages you will find information about the progress of the project as well as technical details.
