View source for Classes/Building an 8-Bit CPU from Scratch

{{DISPLAYTITLE:<span style="position:absolute; top: -9999px;">Classes/</span>Building an 8-Bit CPU from Scratch}}
{{Tutorial
| name=8-Bit CPU Using Logic Gates
| creator = [[User:Andrewvaughan|Andrew Vaughan]]
| date = May 27, 2017
| est_time = 16 Weeks
| est_cost = $40
| in_development = Yes
| is_project = Yes
}}

In this class, taught by [[User:andrewvaughan|Andrew Vaughan]], you will learn how to build a functional (albeit, simple) 8-Bit CPU from scratch using breadboards and [[Wikipedia:Transistor-transistor logic|TTL Integrated Circuits]].  No prior electronics experience is required in the class, as the basics are covered in the first lesson.  At the end of the course, you will have built a fully-functional, modular CPU, as well as your own personalized [[Wikipedia:Assembly language|Assembly language]], that you can extend indefinitely to create more extensive functionality.

Office hours are held before and after each class.  The office hours prior to the class (timing of which will be announced with each class) are intended for members who have missed classes and need to catch up on modules for the upcoming lesson.  Office hours after each class will provide a list of advanced topics from the lesson plan, which will only be covered if interest is shown.  This time is also available to assist with debugging problems in circuits.

== Time and Location ==

{|
! style="text-align: right;" | Instructor:
| [[User:andrewvaughan|Andrew Vaughan]] (Contact information available on user page)
|-
! style="text-align: right;" | Where:
| [[Main Page|Pumping Station: One]] [[Facilities#Electronics.2FMechatronics_Lab|Electronics Lab]] (2nd Floor)
|-
! style="text-align: right;" | When:
| TBD
|-
! style="text-align: right;" | Office Hours:
| TBD
|-
! style="text-align: right;" | Minimum Class Size:
| 2
|-
! style="text-align: right;" | Maximum Class Size:
| 8
|}

== Prerequisites ==

There are minimal prerequisites to attend this class.  No prior experience in electronics is needed, nor any experience with soldering or computers.  It is important that novices to these are attend the first classes and to make use of office hours to ask questions before continuing into more advanced topics.

=== Materials ===

Components and tools will be made available for persons who wish to learn, but do not wish to keep their project after class completion.  If parts are borrowed from the electronics space, it is asked that a donation be made, at your discretion, to the [[:Category:Electronics|Electronics Lab]] area host.  Note that you will be required to return all components used for the class after the course is completed.  Persons borrowing equipment will be required to pair with others doing the same, if enough persons are available.

If you, however, wish to keep your project, or want to extend it further after the course is complete (both highly recommended), the following will need to be purchased:

{| style="width: 350px; margin: 25px auto; padding: 15px; border: 2px solid #cc0; border-radius: 20px; background: #ffc;"
! Notice
|-
| This section is still under development.  Please check back later for more information.''
|}

==== Consumables ====


{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Quantity
! Item
|-
| 1 Kit
| [http://amzn.to/2qqAGFi 22AWG Solid Wire], Various Colors (see below)
|-
|}

===== Wire Colors =====

Wire colors are used for the following, so please ensure any kit you buy contains enough of each.  Wire may be available in the Electronics Lab, but gauge and color cannot be guaranteed:

{| class="wikitable" cellpadding="5" style="font-family: courier new, courier, fixed-width;"
! style="color: #f00; text-align: right; border-right: 1px solid #ccc;" | Red
| Power, Positive
|-
! style="color: #000; text-align: right; border-right: 1px solid #ccc;" | Black
| Power, Ground
|-
! style="color: #fff; text-align: right; border-right: 1px solid #ccc;" | White
| Signal, Clock
|-
! style="color: #ff0; text-align: right; border-right: 1px solid #ccc;" | Yellow
| Signal, Control Logic
|-
! style="color: #00f; text-align: right; border-right: 1px solid #ccc;" | Blue
| Signal, Module-to-Bus
|-
! style="color: #0f0; text-align: right; border-right: 1px solid #ccc;" | Green
| Signal, Other (IC-to-IC, Module-to-Module, etc)
|}

==== Components ====

The following components are required to build the CPU project.  These are not listed in order of use, as we will move and switch around parts in various phases of the coursework.  At the time of this writing, the total cost of components was about $100, including shipping.  Note that the selection of parts in this list are intended to reusable in other projects, if you so choose, and nothing will be dedicated only to this product:

{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Quantity
! Estimated Cost (Total)
! Component
|-
| style="text-align: center;" |  14
| style="text-align: right;" | $39.00
| [http://amzn.to/2s1DxWp Full-Sized (830-Point) Breadboards]<sup>&dagger;</sup>
|}

<small><i><sup>&dagger;</sup> For advanced students, [http://amzn.to/2s1W7xR StripBoard] can be used instead to save space and money (about $30 in savings).  Do note, however, that soldering and organization of these boards will not be covered in the class, and if chosen by the student, will need to be managed themselves.  Using such boards can also make debugging and modification significantly more time-consuming and difficult.  If using StripBoard, ensure that the board's [[Wikipedia:List of integrated circuit packaging types#Dimension_reference|pin pitch]] is the standard breadboard size of 0.1" (2.54mm).</i></small>

==== Recommended Tools ====

Most of these tools are available in the space.  However, we will need to share them within the group, as well as with others who may be working in the space at the time.  Especially in the case of hand tools and multimeters, you may wish to provide your own.  Given the simplicity of this project, neither high-end nor high-precision tools are required for this project.

Unless specifically marked, it is recommend that you get your own tools for this project to keep pace with the rest of the class:

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 75%; min-width: 350px; margin: 25px auto;"
! Tool
! Estimated Cost
! Details
|-
| [http://amzn.to/2qqmKLM Flush Diagonal Cutters]
| style="text-align: right;" | $8.00
| Used to cut wire and trim pins flush to a surface.  Very useful for any electronics project.
|-
| [http://amzn.to/2qqja3Z Self-Adjusting Wire Strippers]
| style="text-align: right;" |  $16.00
| Used to trim the ends of wire sheathing (which we do a lot).  [http://amzn.to/2ra2JMF Simpler strippers] exist, if you wish to save money.
|-
| [http://amzn.to/2s21hKk Multimeter] <br/><small style="white-space: nowrap;">with Standard ''and'' Alligator-Clip Probes</small>
| style="text-align: right;" |  $20.00
| Used to measure voltages, amperage, continuity, and generally debug problem circuits.  Given the basic nature of this project, a high-precision multimeter is <i>not</i> necessary
|-
| Oscilloscope
| style="text-align: right;" |  -
| Used to debug and optimize circuits.  We will use the Oscilloscopes in the Electronics Lab.
|-
! style="text-align: right;" | TOTAL
! style="text-align: right;" | $44.00
! style="text-align: left; font-size: 8pt; font-weight: normal;" | ''Note that these prices are not included in the overall estimate above, as all of this equipment is available, free-to-use, in the lab.  This list is purely for your convenience.''
|}

=== Authorizations ===

Please read the rules and responsibilities in the [[:Category:Electronics#Area_Rules|Electronics Area]] prior to attending.  Along with these rules, the following authorizations must be completed to be eligible for this course:

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| '''Note:''' This section is still under development.  Please check back later for more information.''
|}

== Syllabus ==

Classes are held weekly, and build on top of each other.  It is important that all classes are attended, or completing the CPU will be very difficult.  Office hours are made available prior to every class to allow persons who miss classes to catch up prior to starting a new lesson.

=== Week 1 - Digital Electronics Fundamentals ===

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| '''Note:''' This section is still under development.  Please check back later for more information.''
|}

=== Week 2 - Implementing Logic with Transistors ===

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| '''Note:''' This section is still under development.  Please check back later for more information.''
|}

=== Week 3 - The CPU Clock Module ===

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| '''Note:''' This section is still under development.  Please check back later for more information.''
|}

=== Week 4 - The 8-Bit Register Modules ===

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| '''Note:''' This section is still under development.  Please check back later for more information.''
|}

=== Week 5 - Designing an ALU ===

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| '''Note:''' This section is still under development.  Please check back later for more information.''
|}

=== Week 6 - The ALU Module ===

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| '''Note:''' This section is still under development.  Please check back later for more information.''
|}

=== Week 7 - The RAM Module ===

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| '''Note:''' This section is still under development.  Please check back later for more information.''
|}

=== Week 8 - Building a Binary Counter ===

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| '''Note:''' This section is still under development.  Please check back later for more information.''
|}

=== Week 9 - The Program Counter Module ===

{| style="width: 50%; margin: 25px auto; padding: 25px; border: 2px solid #cc0; border-radius: 20px; background: #ffc; font-size: 16px;"
| '''Note:''' This section is still under development.  Please check back later for more information.''
|}

=== Week 10 - Designing for 7-Segment Displays ===

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| '''Note:''' This section is still under development.  Please check back later for more information.''
|}

=== Week 11 - Introduction to EEPROM ===

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| '''Note:''' This section is still under development.  Please check back later for more information.''
|}


=== Week 12 - The Display Module ===

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| '''Note:''' This section is still under development.  Please check back later for more information.''
|}

=== Week 13 - Connecting the Modules with a Bus ===

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| '''Note:''' This section is still under development.  Please check back later for more information.''
|}

=== Week 14 - Designing Control Signals ===

{| style="width: 50%; margin: 25px auto; padding: 25px; border: 2px solid #cc0; border-radius: 20px; background: #ffc; font-size: 16px;"
| '''Note:''' This section is still under development.  Please check back later for more information.''
|}

=== Week 15 - Control Logic Module ===

{| style="width: 50%; margin: 25px auto; padding: 25px; border: 2px solid #cc0; border-radius: 20px; background: #ffc; font-size: 16px;"
| '''Note:''' This section is still under development.  Please check back later for more information.''
|}

== Completion ==

Upon completion, each member of the class will have a modularized, extendable CPU.  The CPU can be programmed using an Arduino Programmer, which can be borrowed during the class, or built in one of the after-hours office-hours.  Here are some examples what can be done to extend and modify the basic circuitry:

* Create additional circuitry to support more-advanced instructions
* Add more capabilities to the ALU to enable more-powerful processing
* Transition 7400-series integrated circuits to more-advanced functionality to reduce circuit complexity
* Extend the processing capability to 16- or even 32-bit processing
* Add additional input and output capabilities to the system (e.g., serial controllers, USB, disks, multi-line LCDs, etc...)

[[Category:Classes]]