MCPU - Minimal CPU for a 32 Macrocell CPLD
MCPU is a minimal cpu aimed to fit into a 32 Macrocell CPLD - one of the smallest available programmable logic devices. While this CPU is not powerful enough for real world applications it has proven itself as a valuable educational tool. The source code is just a single page and easily understood. Both VHDL and Verilog versions are supplied. The package comes with assembler, emulator and extensive documentation.
This is an old project from 2001. Since it still seems to be of interest to many, I migrated it to Github for easier maintenance. Please refer to the original project description (pdf) for further information.
Addendum
A very nice write up on this design can be found on the blog of Jean-Claude Wippler here. --Nov 10th, 2018
Version History
- v1.0x - 2001
- Released on university homepage
- v1.06b - 2008
- last release on opencores.org
- v1.1 - 2013/06/23
- Initial release on github
- Converted readme to markdown
- Included bugfixed verilog version submitted by A. Wood.
Archive content
ASM/
- example programs.
- simulator.
- include file for smal.
- smal.exe - see license for smal !
VHDL/
- VHDL source of CPU.
- VHDL testbench.
- Memory files.
- The testbench requires a simple sram implementation.
I used this one:
http://tams-www.informatik.uni-hamburg.de/vhdl/models/sram-simple/sram64kx8.vhd
From the Hamburg VHDL archive (http://tams-www.informatik.uni-hamburg.de/vhdl/)
verilog/
- Verilog conversion of CPU source
- A small Verilog testbench
SMAL-source/
- SMAL sourcode.
SIM-source/
- WIN32 Simulator sourcecode. Porting to other platforms should be easy.
License
SMAL license:
/* smal32.c language: C
copyright 1996 by Douglas W. Jones
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa 52242
USA
Permission is granted to make copies of this program for any purpose,
provided that the above copyright notice is preserved in the copy, and
provided that the copy is not made for direct commercial advantage.
Note: This software was developed with no outside funding. If you find
it useful, and especially if you find it useful in a profit making
environment, please consider making a contribution to the University
of Iowa Department of Computer Science in care of:
The University of Iowa Foundation
Alumni Center
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa 52242
USA
*/
The other source is licensed under GPL2.
I am always interested in possible uses and modifications to it. Let me know what you are doing with it.