This project details the design and implementation of an 8-bit single-cycle microprocessor. The processor includes a register file and an Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU). The design was crafted to handle a simple instruction set architecture (ISA) that supports basic ALU operations, load/store operations, and status checks for the ALU carry – all within less than a week. While the current version lacks a program counter and external memory, thus omitting any form of jump operations, it provides a solid foundation for understanding basic computational operations within a custom CPU architecture.
The ISA is straightforward and is primarily focused on register operations and basic arithmetic/logic functions. Below is the breakdown of the instruction set:
// ISA --------------------------------------------------------------
//-- R level
`define MVR 4'b0000 // Move Register
`define LDB 4'b0001 // Load Byte into Regsiter
`define STB 4'b0010 // Store Byte from Regsiter
`define RDS 4'b0011 // Read (store) processor status
// 1'b0100 NOP
// 1'b0101 NOP
// 1'b0110 NOP
// 1'b0111 NOP
//-- Arithmatics
`define NOT {1'b1, `ALU_NOT}
`define AND {1'b1, `ALU_AND}
`define ORA {1'b1, `ALU_ORA}
`define ADD {1'b1, `ALU_ADD}
`define SUB {1'b1, `ALU_SUB}
`define XOR {1'b1, `ALU_XOR}
`define INC {1'b1, `ALU_INC}
// 1'b1111 NOP
The processor has been tested through a suite of 12 testbenches, each designed to validate a specific functionality or operation. These testbenches cover basic ALU operations, data movement between registers, and the load/store functionalities. Although basic operational tests are passing, timing interactions between instructions have not been exhaustively verified, and it is anticipated that a sophisticated compiler would handle these timing considerations effectively, reminiscent of approaches taken in historical computing systems.
Currently, the processor does not interface with any external hardware components. It operates entirely within a simulated environment where all inputs and outputs are managed through testbenches. This setup is ideal for educational purposes or for foundational experimentation in CPU design.
| # | Input | Output | Bidirectional |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | Register 1 (R1) Address bit 0 | Data out bit 0 (either register data / Processor stat) | Data in bit 0 / Register 3 (R3) Address bit 0 |
| 1 | Register 1 (R1) Address bit 1 | Data out bit 1 (either register data / 0) | Data in bit 1 / Register 3 (R3) Address bit 1 |
| 2 | Register 1 (R1) Address bit 2 | Data out bit 2 (either register data / 0) | Data in bit 2 / Register 3 (R3) Address bit 2 |
| 3 | Register 1 (R1) Address bit 3 | Data out bit 3 (either register data / 0) | Data in bit 3 / Register 3 (R3) Address bit 3 |
| 4 | Instruction ISA Opcode bit 0 | Data out bit 4 (either register data / 0) | Data in bit 4 / Register 2 (R2) Address bit 0 |
| 5 | Instruction ISA Opcode bit 1 | Data out bit 5 (either register data / 0) | Data in bit 5 / Register 2 (R2) Address bit 1 |
| 6 | Instruction ISA Opcode bit 2 | Data out bit 6 (either register data / 0) | Data in bit 6 / Register 2 (R2) Address bit 2 |
| 7 | Instruction ISA Opcode bit 3 | Data out bit 7 (either register data / 0) | Data in bit 7 / Register 2 (R2) Address bit 3 |