Continue work on our custom CPU. We will be finishing the push and pop opcodes and writing test programs to use them with ret and call. If time permits, we will also create the flags register and a new addition opcode that adds the remainder from the last addition operation.

The code is up on GitHub at https://github.com/Unallocated/FPGA/tree/cpu

The program.pl script has been updated to make life easier for those on Windows. Since copying text from the Windows terminal is, well, dumb, notepad will now be launched with the data that needs to be copied. This only works for those on Windows!

Additionally, the script has also been updated to allow include files. Using the command ‘inc someFileHere.inc’ will cause the script to inject whatever is in the include file into the current ‘compile’.

As with last class, a breadboard with jumpers and LEDs will help out with debugging the program counter and push/pop operations.

Required Items:
1. Laptop with Xilinx ISE installed. Please ensure you already have the ISE installed!! We will not have time to wait for the install process to complete (it usually takes 15-30 minutes). Check out http://www.xilinx.com/support/download/index.html/content/xilinx/en/downloadNav/design-tools.html and download the ISE Design Suite for your OS.
2. Some Xilinx Spartan 6 or greater FPGA development board (must be Xilinx!!). We prefer the Mojo or Digilent Nexys3.
3. USB cable for your FPGA dev board.
4. Breadboard (full size!)
5. Jumpers
6. LEDs (there are loads at the space if needed)

We are to a point in the class where anyone wishing to join will need to E-Mail fpga@unallocatedspace.org. The reason being that we will need to verify that you know VHDL well, and have a development board already.

Because of the cost of FPGA dev boards, we will not have extras. If you have questions about what board to get, please E-Mail fpga@unallocatedspace.org.

We have recently been given ‘academic’ status from Digilent Inc (http://www.digilentinc.com). This means that the instructor can purchase boards from Digilent at the academic price. This discount will only apply to people who are attending the class regularly!

Since the space runs off of donations, we would like to mention that the recommended donation for this class is $5. It is by no means a requirement! Attendance to the space, and this class, is 100% free to all!