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.

• 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/
• Project Blog: https://epsilon537.github.io/boxlambda/
• Project Documentation: https://boxlambda.readthedocs.io/en/latest/