Search found 101 matches

by Sugarplum
04 Feb 2025, 09:40
Forum: Hardware and software hacking
Topic: vCPU Questions and Necessary Details
Replies: 7
Views: 14011

Re: vCPU Questions and Necessary Details

The video line is managed by the code in page 2 of the ROM. The row is tracked by zero page parameter videoY and frameCount is used as a simple system clock. There isn't a column value since the column is just 160 ora([Y,Xpp],OUT) instructions in a row with no time to do anything else. Thanks. I do...
by Sugarplum
25 Jan 2025, 05:35
Forum: Hardware and software hacking
Topic: New Gigatron architecture idea
Replies: 6
Views: 4189

Re: New Gigatron architecture idea

I've been refining my thoughts. Hardware vCPU Support, Continued If you want to make a machine like a Gigatron closer to Von Neumann, one of the first steps would be to make the rest of the machine not rely on bit-banging. After designing for that, give a Giga-similar machine a ROM paragraph jump. I...
by Sugarplum
18 Jan 2025, 07:17
Forum: Escape Meta Alt Control Shift
Topic: An 80 column monochrome display?
Replies: 1
Views: 6970

Re: An 80 column monochrome display?

I haven't explored it. Making a 25 MHz VGA circuit on a PCB is pushing things for most people. You'd need tricks such as using 74ACT logic and likely pipelining. If the Gigatron is driving it, it would be simpler in that you wouldn't need a sync circuit, and the CPU has no problem with producing the...
by Sugarplum
17 Jan 2025, 01:13
Forum: Escape Meta Alt Control Shift
Topic: Beyond the Gigatron
Replies: 8
Views: 18613

Re: Beyond the Gigatron

Okay, I've come up with an idea in my mind for multiplication. It would take 8 cycles plus any overhead. The idea is 8/8/16 unsigned. I realized that you can do it the same way as you multiply by hand. It is just place, add, and shift. The way this would work is to use shift registers and adders, an...
by Sugarplum
17 Jan 2025, 00:55
Forum: Escape Meta Alt Control Shift
Topic: 16-bit Gigatron similar machine
Replies: 4
Views: 13984

Re: 16-bit Gigatron similar machine

Thank you Monosonite! I still haven't started as I'm trying to work it out in my mind. My focus is now more on what amenities can be added to the base hardware to make interpretation easier. Things like: 1. Proper flags and related instructions. If we had proper ADC/SBB instructions, chaining additi...
by Sugarplum
17 Jan 2025, 00:27
Forum: Hardware and software hacking
Topic: New Gigatron architecture idea
Replies: 6
Views: 4189

Re: New Gigatron architecture idea

I'll touch on what is already here and then post some ideas. I use "Gigasimilar" to refer to homebrew ideas/projects that heavily borrow from the Gigatron. We really shouldn't try to promote something as a "Gigatron 2.0" or similar since you cannot significantly "improve&quo...
by Sugarplum
30 May 2024, 16:38
Forum: Hardware and software hacking
Topic: What does 'Xpp' mean?
Replies: 2
Views: 13621

Re: What does 'Xpp' mean?

Ah yes, Xpp is also X++. The pp part is "plus plus," so post-increment X.
by Sugarplum
03 Apr 2024, 21:55
Forum: Support
Topic: Controller/Serial input problem
Replies: 5
Views: 22739

Re: Controller/Serial input problem

Yes, that was what I assumed as I was first reading. The controllers operate at different voltage levels and have some quality control issues. As for where the inputs were coming from, I would guess it could be an improperly soldered connection in the controller. It is a serial device, so it would n...
by Sugarplum
06 Nov 2023, 04:53
Forum: Escape Meta Alt Control Shift
Topic: Forum performance issues
Replies: 5
Views: 17802

Re: Forum performance issues

I've noticed that.
by Sugarplum
05 Nov 2023, 20:43
Forum: Escape Meta Alt Control Shift
Topic: 16-bit Gigatron similar machine
Replies: 4
Views: 13984

Re: 16-bit Gigatron similar machine

Thank you Monosonite! I agree, the Gigatron fits the design philosophy well. I'm seriously considering spinning something similar. I think I'd want to play with some working pulls of the limited 16-bit ALUs that were around. They could replace at least 10 chips (and possibly more such as the accumul...