Epsilon
# About BoxLambda
**BoxLambda** is a project that creates a retro-style FPGA-based microcomputer from open-source components. The microcomputer serves as a platform for both software and RTL experimentation.
BoxLambda is a software-hardware crossover project, providing opportunities for experimentation on both the FPGA RTL side and the software side.
## Key Goals
- Create a sandbox for experimenting with software and FPGA gateware:
- It should be **easy** to jump in and do something: create, hack, tinker.
- **Simple Enough for One Person**: A motivated individual can develop a solid understanding of the entire system, including both software and hardware.
- **Deterministic Behavior**: The duration of operations such as internal memory or register access must be predictable by design.
- **Self-Contained Run-Time Environment** supporting high-level interactive and low-level systems programming.
- Create a **Modular Architecture** allowing for a mix-and-match of software and hardware components. Optionally, support Partial FPGA Reconfiguration.
- Target Hardware: Digilent's [Arty-A7](https://digilent.com/reference/programmable-logic/arty-a7/start).
- The computer supports the following peripherals:
- USB HID Keyboard
- USB HID Mouse (optional)
- USB HID Joystick (optional)
- Real-Time Clock and Calendar (optional)
- Serial port
- SD card storage
- Flash Memory storage
- VGA Display
- Audio output
- Sound and graphics support retro-style 2D demos and gameplay.
## Status (Dec. 2024)
- **Infrastructure** (build system, etc.): Complete, with room for simplification.
- **Gateware**: Complete as pictured in the Block Diagram. Of course, there’s always room for additional or alternate components.
- **Software**: Early stage development.
## GitHub
- **Source Code**: [https://github.com/epsilon537/boxlambda/](https://github.com/epsilon537/boxlambda/)
- **Project Blog**: [https://epsilon537.github.io/boxlambda/](https://epsilon537.github.io/boxlambda/)
- **Project Documentation**: [https://boxlambda.readthedocs.io/en/latest/](https://boxlambda.readthedocs.io/en/latest/)
josephi200264
crowbol
x653
EM