Update from breadboard computer!

Well, it’s that time of the year again… We get to boast about all the great accomplishments breadboard computer (BBC from here on out) have achieved so far into this semester.
Sooo, what have happened since last time? Let me tell you…

GRAPHICS CARD

Yep, you heard me, we’re currently working on the next RTX 6090, packed with ray tracing and AI frame generation. It’s going to be running at a whopping (hopefully) 2 FPS with the capability of supporting a Quarter Quarter VGA-resolution, mapping to a screen of 160 x 120 pixels. Holy pixels! After experiencing this new resolution, 4K ain’t gonna cut it anymore! Your eyes are literally going to need therapy after this.

We are working steadily towards finishing the card, but we still got a couple of hurdles ahead of us. Mainly how the CPU is going to both tell the graphics card what to draw, and do it’s own calculations at the same time. And a bunch more complicated stuff. But that’s a problem for future breadboard. 🥺

*still in the works, will be released the next century

KEYBOARD INTERFACE

Now, what use is a display if you can’t write on it? That’s why we’re also working on a interface for a PS/2 keyboard. This is what came before USB keyboard, and are much easier to work with than with usb protocols. Our design for this is fortunately much simpler than the graphics card, and we don’t expect many hurdles during construction. Furthermore, Ben Eater has made videos on this topic as well, and we’re using them for what they’re worth!

What next?

At the beginning of this semester, BBC lost all of it’s members. Kinda. We’re still meeting as a group, and working on the CPU. But! All our members are either in a leadership position, or have “retired” as we call it. We’re planning on keeping up the work for a little while longer, but the project is coming to a close. Of course, we’re hoping that the new members of Hackerspace would like to start up a new project group that continues working on our dearest CPU, keeping the BBC spirit going in Hackerspace. Maybe you’re interested in electronics, and know a friend or two who are like you? Send us a mail at hackerspace-styret@idi.ntnu.no, and pitch your ideas to us!

That’s all from Breadboard Computer. Thank you for reading!