Gigatron TTL
Vorlage:Infobox information appliance The Gigatron TTL is a retro-style 8-bit microcomputer, where the CPU is implemented by a set of TTL chips instead of a microprocessor, imitating the hadrware present in early arcades.[1] The "emulated" CPU supports a set of 17 instructions.
Hardware
The microcomputer is sold as assembling kit,[2] that includes:
- A PCB.
- 7400 series TTL chips.
- A swappable ROM chip (for firmware updates).
- Joystick and VGA (D-SUB) ports.
- USB port and cable for power.
- A joystick similar to the NES one.
- A keyboard controller with built-in non-volatile memory.
- Transistors, condensers y diodes.
- A set of 4 customisable leds.
- Instruction manual
- A wooden box for presentation and assembling
The kit does not include a keyboard nor non-volatile memory, and the inputs are made through the joystick. Since the version 3, a keyboard controller connectable to the joystick port is available, with a small built-in non-volatile memory, for storing BASIC programs. An Arduino board can be programmed for interacting between a computer and the microcomputer, as for programming, as well as for additional storage.
As the program execution and screen rendering is made by the emulated CPU, scan line numbers in screen can be configured, in order to save CPU time to the detriment the display (black lines will appear), and viceversa.
Software
The programs are included in the ROM, and them are written in GCL (Gigatron Control Language), an Assembly-like programming language with 34 instructions set.
The following programs are included:
- Snake
- Racer: a Pole Position-like game.
- Mandelbrot.
- Pictures: a visor for the pre-loaded pictures.
- Loader: feature to load GCL or BASIC programs from the non-volatile memory.
- Credits: shows the credits in text that change colours.
Since the version 3, the following is included:
- Tetronis: a Tetris clone.
- Briks: a Breakout clone.
- TicTacToe: a text-mode TicTacToe written in BASIC
- BASIC: a Tiny BASIC interpreter.
- WozMon: a Woz Monitor rendition.
The Tiny BASIC interpreter allows to create programs, change the systems parameters, and load and save programs to the non-volatile memory in the built-in keyboard controller.
The software included is licensed under the 2-clause BSD license.[3]
Availability
The kit is available for purchasing at €149.50. The updates are provided through a new ROM chip, shipped as update, that should be changed manually.
There is also an emulator available online.[4]
Refferences
- ↑ Mike Barela: The Gigatron – a TTL microcomputer without a microprocessor #VintageComputing #8bit. In: Adafruit Industries - Makers, hackers, artists, designers and engineers! 5. Dezember 2018, abgerufen am 15. April 2019 (amerikanisches Englisch).
- ↑ Gigatron! The TTL computer as a kit | Details | Hackaday.io. In: hackaday.io. Abgerufen am 15. April 2019 (englisch).
- ↑ Vorlage:Citation
- ↑ Gigatron. In: gigatron.io. Abgerufen am 15. April 2019.