FPGA: PDP8
Hans Pufal has built a PDP8 FPGA implemenation!
This web page describes how to configure your
B5 or B3 to run it.
There are four basic steps:
- Configure Hardware
- Build software
- Run on the hardware
- Download additional programs
Configure Hardware
First, you'll need the following hardware to use this:
There is an alternative: If you have the B3 from Burch, then you're
still OK, because Hans originally built this for a B3 and that
configuration is documented
Not Yet.
I had purchased the
B5-X Super Value Pack,
and am very happy with it.
Now, we need to configure the hardware in the following manner:
- The SRAM needs to be connected to ports A & B.
- The switches need to be connected to port C.
- The Peripherals Connector needs to be connected to port G.
Note: This is a 5V device, so adjust the jumper
accordingly.
- And, ultimately, we'll connect the Parallel Port cable to port H.
The way to do that is simple. Given that you've got the JTAG already
connected right there near port H already (that's you download to the
FPGA, right?), then it's a simple matter to grab another port cable
(just like all the other cables used to connect the other devices to
your FPGA B5 board) and connect it between port H of the B5 and J4 on
the download board. At this point it's worth noting that the way you
enable the Parallel Port capability is to press the button on the
download board nearest the B5 (right 'below' the J4 connector). That
should cause the "LOCK" LED to turn on (it's RED). When you push the
other button (near J3) the "PROG" LED will turn on (it's GREEN).
That's the physical connections for the B5 board.
You'll also need a VGA monitor, a VGA board, and a PS2 (or regular
PC style) keyboard.
The VGA will be the first thing to come to life when you download
the software. And, we'll get to that in a moment.
Build Software
By now you have probably downloaded the Xilinx Web-Pack development
tools for your B5. But, if you haven't, now would be a swell time to
do that. I'll wait patiently while you do that. You'll need to
register with Xilinx and they'll give you a download code, etc. So,
go off and get yourself the proper software.
Now you need to download the PDP8 source code.