Introduction
Welcome to the home of the As of Yet Unnamed Console Project, one of
ACM@UIUC's SigArch projects.
The goal of this project is to design and implement an architecture that is
optimized for computer games. The system should have a small learning curve
for developers while allowing convienent access to software and hardware
facilities. In addition to ease of use, the system should provide a wide
array of hardware acceleration features to minimize main CPU usage.
Figure One shows the potential that the AYUCP
will offer programmers. Coupled with a powerful OS, games can fully
use advanced techniques in AI and game play instead of wasting cycles
dumping pixels one the bus.
Overview of Goals
While the main goal of the project is to design and implement a 32 bit
console gaming system, the project also has a list of technical goals and
target skills. Technical goals are those items that represent
exciting research issues and new techniques for implementation. The
complete list of the technical goals represent an abstract of the hardware
available upon completion of the project. The list of target skills
represent any new occupational skills or benifits of working on the
project. One of the driving forces behind this project is to combine
as many learning experiences in one package as possible. Listed below
are the current technical goals and target skills. As the system
evolves, these pages will serve as technical documentation.
Technical Goals
- 32-bit microprocessor based system.
- Accelerated video system.
- Multitasking operating system.
- User input devices (most likely digital joysticks).
- FM sound hardware.
- Network functionality (time permitting).
Target Skills
- VHDL: The system should be designed, simulated, and synthesized
using VHDL tools. By learning VHDL, the team can aquire valuable
experience in "real world" situations of hardware design.
- ASM: The system should allow ample opportunity to learn a new
assembly language. This target nearly disqualifies the use of Intel
x86 processor as (almost) everyone on the team knows x86 assembly.
- Completion: Without a doubt, the most important skill to have is the
ability to finish a project. It is also important for the members
of the team to experience an entire design cycle from idea through
rollout. While we are not implementing anything commercial, we do have
very real dealines in that we are going to attempt to display our
finished product at the University of Illinois Engineering Open House
in the spring of 1997.
Interesting Links
Check out this stuff. Hmm. Well sooner or later.
People
The team that is attempting to bring this machine to life is a small(ish)
group of undergraduates interested in system design. Currently this project
is completely extra-curricular and a work of pleasure.
Below is a list of people currently involved with the console project.
First is a list of those on the team, and then a breakdown of who
is doing what, moreover what is being done by whom.
If you feel you should be on this list, please
mail Paul Bleisch your webpage and email address in the following format (i.e.
exactly as seen below).
<a href="http://www.my.web.host/my/web/page/">FirstName</a>
<a href="mailto:mymail@my.mail.host">LastName</a>
Please note these lists are not up to date. I have heard positive feedback
from SigArchers interested in working on different systems. I will add them
as soon as I get info.
By Person
Paul
Bleisch
Yeah, it's my fault. (Mail me for more information)
Paul
Swanson
It'll task, it'll IPC, it'll be great!
Brian
Swetland
Sure, my IP stack will run on Paul's OS.
By Topic
- Motherboard Design Currently No One Involved.
- Video System Design Paul Bleisch
- OS Design Paul Swanson
- User Input System Currently No One Involved.
- Sound Hardware Currently No One Involved.
- Network System Brian Swetland
Last modified by pbleisch@uiuc.edu 9/17/96