Hardware

I like making hardware-y type things, but unlike software, hacking around with hardware can cost a lot of money, so I don't do as much of it as I'd like. Given the sparsity of this section, I document even less of it!

The CFT Project

The CFT is my home-designed, home-built mini-computer made from scratch. I've designed and built the instruction set, data path, processor, computer, software stack, cross-assembler, emulator, software toolchain and even some of the tools needed to do this. You can call this a ‘fantasy mini’. I'm in the process of testing the processor and building peripherals and the ROM, while trying to document the whole thing.

2013

Front Panel Module

June

DFP Board

Last October

Backplane: It Fits!

Parts for the backplane have arrived and everything fits properly.

Last September

MEM Board Render

The MEM board holds 512 kW to 6 MW of RAM and 512 kW of ROM.

Last September

DFP 2 Render, revision 1939

I messed up—the previous revision of the DFP had the backplane connectors mirrored, so it'd never have mated. I chose to redo the board from scratch, but the layout is better and it looks nicer now.

Last September