QLife Processor

A 16-bit address, 32-bit data line general-purpose processor architecture. Key features include external ROM program execution and real-time I/O capabilities.

Sample Programs

• Ping Pong
  • 16x8 LED display with W/S/Up/Down keyboard controller
  • Source: ping_pong.asm
  • Generate resolved assembly: python3 -m planner asm -r programs/ping_pong.asm [example]
  • Generate binary: python3 -m planner asm -b programs/ping_pong.asm [example]
  • Run on python emulator: python3 -m planner compile_and_execute ping_pong
    • 
  • Run on verilog emulator: make verilog_simulate

Design

Specs

• Memory Address Line: 16-bits (points to a byte)
• Memory Value Line: 32-bits (4 bytes)
• Max Memory: 64KB
• Memory layout: here

Boot Sequence

• programs/boot_sequence.asm binary (aka BROM) is mapped from address_line BOOTSEQUENCE_LOAD = 0x30
• Memory Read
  • If BOOTSEQUENCE_ORG <= address_line < DEFAULT_PROGRAM_ORG, pulls value from BROM
  • Otherwise, pulls the value from RAM
• Execution starts with PC at BOOTSEQUENCE_ORG = 0x34
• BROM goal is to copy PROM to RAM at DEFAULT_PROGRAM_ORG = 0x80
• Followed by jmp DEFAULT_PROGRAM_ORG

PROM

• Programs like programs/ping_pong.asm are translated into binary and are referred to as PROM.
• PROM is connected to as input-output device.
• The equivalent program is loaded in RAM at DEFAULT_PROGRAM_ORG = 0x80, followed by execution after boot sequence.