http://neil.franklin.ch/Projects/PDP-10/README
author Neil Franklin, last modification 2002.10.15

Introduction to my PDP-10 FPGA clone microprocesor project


Aim

To make an PDP-10 compatible processor clone in an FPGA chip. In cases where
model specific differences are relevant, I will for fast initial success
implement compatibility with KA-10, the simplest model. Later extensions will
include to near KI-10 compatibility (paging, but ev no 4*16 registers), and
then partial KL-10 functionality (extended addressing, cache, definitely no
G-Float (KL10-D only anyway) and fairly shure no string stuff), and then go
above with some XKL-1 (fully extended addressing).

The FPGA should contain all components need to run an full PDP-10 OS, initially
TOPS-10 and/or ITS, later TOPS-20 and/or other. Presently I plan that to be:
processor, memory (external to FPGA), console terminal on chip (using PC
keyboard and VGA monitor), "paper tape" reader for booting (using RS232 from
PC), some form of hard disk controller/device. Later extensions may include
bitmapped video IO for desktop workstation style use, or Ethernet for remote
login or server style use.

Also I intend to implement the console operators panel and indicator lights,
but it shall be optional for users who want to avoid the costs (money, time
wiring it, space). Possibly I will make an console panel and indicator pannels
on the console terminal monitor.


Tools

I will be using the Xilinx Virtex or Spartan-II chips. Initial target is
XCV300 or XC2S200. They will be programmed using the JBits toolset. JBits
is an Java .class library offering an API to modify Virtex configuration
bitstream files, so my code will be Java code calling JBits functions.

I will be working on an Linux/x86 system, but due to the use of Java the
project should be fully portable to any system with Java 1.2 or newer.


Code

This project is fully open source. Everything I write is immediately available
for download. If I write a bug you crash the next day. Documentation gets
written together with the code.


State

The work, as far as it has progressed, is documented in an Logfile that is
updated whenever I do something:
http://neil.franklin.ch/Projects/PDP-10/Logfile


Questions

There is a FAQ file at:
http://neil.franklin.ch/Projects/PDP-10/FAQ