Slashdot Mirror
Retro-Computing with FPGAs
zoid.com writes "I ran across a couple of really interesting projects using Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) processors. First is the C-ONE project that is a reconfigurable computer. The default mode is a C64 compatible one, but the machine just boots the FPGA from an IDE device at
power on, so it could theoretically be pretty much anything. The second one is the FPGA Arcade. This site is about recreating gaming hardware from the past in modern programmable devices. They currently have Pacman, Space Invaders and Galaxian implemented in FPGAs."
Quick quiz: What is MAME? Software, right. Second question: What's an FPGA? Field Programmable Gate Array - a chunk of reconfigurable silicon. Now you tell me :--)
Gordon
That's nice...but, this will not be very useful compared to todays apps and emulators...now if they could get the hardware down to size, this would be a great PDA...
You've entirely missed the point... this is not meant to be a "useful" machine, but rather a hobbyist machine. Something for people who want to be able to tinker and play with a computer with a relatively simple design that allows a programmer to have more or less complete control of the machine. Modern PCs are much too complex to fit this niche.
Think of it as something like a more advanced version of the C64 (or other 8-bits). Not something for people trying to do serious work -- that's what your desktop computer is for -- but something for people that like really get into the guts of the system.
Hallo, the C-One can be many things. Lets not think so outright that the C-One is strictly about "Retro-Computing". It is in ways as ultra-modern by concept that hardware can be reconfigurable. One chip that can be turned into different kinds of hardware. That is a feat that will take incredible CPU power to make as virtual machines. With FPGAs its not virtual and its not emulated. Think of an array of silicon gates that can be rewired on the fly without use of soldering gun or expensive fabrication labs. The C-One's C-64 mode and compatibility is a feat about retro but think of tha past and the future being put into one point. Futuristic hardware concepts can literally be "proven". Now we can make hardware alot like we can make software. We can make efficient hardware with the same efficient principles of efficient software programming with understanding of hardware. What about real-world prototyping. Developers will love this. In all reality, we can even be a DVD Player as well. The future of the C-One would be the use of FPGA technology and a new revolution of software that incorporates hardware add-ons on CD-ROM. Now imagine this, I have this super fancy SuperNintendo cartridge, I can now incorporate a SuperFX chip all on CD-ROM. How, it is called VHDL the revolutionary bridge between software and hardware. Our ability to reprogram the hardware via software. The ability to incorporate our very own hardware in every CD-ROM we sell. Now, we can distribute hardware in 10-15 cent CD-R disc (CD-ROM). This is some of many possibilities we can see. This is only the beginning. Reconfigurable hardware is used in even modern DVD Players and digital setop boxes and other luxeries and state of the art products.