Gladius

An 8 Bit Computer Built From Scratch

About the Project

Gladius is an ongoing personal project to design and build a fully functioning 8 bit computer from scratch. The project involves creating both the hardware and software components necessary for the computer to operate, including the CPU, memory, input/output interfaces, and an operating system.

Currently in the design phase, I am working on making the storage module and program counter. The goal is to eventually have a complete, working 8 bit computer that can run simple programs and perform basic computing tasks.

This project is a great way to learn about computer architecture and low-level programming, as well as gain hands-on experience with electronics and hardware design.

Logisim Circuit Design

Here is the Logisim circuit design for the gladius architecture, this simulation was used to test base functionality and as a schematic for building the PCBs:

Logisim circuit design for the gladius architecture

PCB Design

The PCBs for the gladius architecture were my first attempts at designing PCBs in KiCad. The PCBs are designed to be easily readable whilst also being modular allowing for swapping and adding of components.

Below are some screenshots of the PCBs.

A rendering of the gladius program counter PCB designed in KiCad. A screenshot of the gladius program counter schematic designed in KiCad. A rendering of the gladius ROM PCB designed in KiCad. A screenshot of the gladius ROM schematic designed in KiCad. A rendering of the gladius Instruction Register PCB designed in KiCad. A screenshot of the gladius Instruction Register schematic designed in KiCad.

Photo Gallery

Logisim schematic of the work in progess program counter and ROM EasyEDA rendering of JK ripple counter PCB I designed and used for testing the program counter Physical PCB of the JK ripple counter I designed, had manufactured and soldered