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For fun, I would like to build my own single-board computer which I can later program. I know there are already many development kits out there, sold by companies such as Altera and Xilinx, but I want to try to build such a board from scratch.
I'm aiming for something very simple. It should have system clock running on perhaps 1MHz, an 8-bit CPU (onchip multiply-and-divide unit is not required; I can simulate that in software), a small RAM (some KB should be enough) and an EEPROM where I can store my program. I would also like to connect some sensors, for example to read the temperature in the room.
I have read some digital design and CPU architecture courses, so I'm not worried about the components themselves. What I am worried about is the interconnects, especially if I need resistors and capacitors inbetween. I have some experience with analog circuitry, but it is limited. I have built my own board once for controlling four fans in my computer case using some opamps and resistors.
I don't mind writing my own compiler if need be, but it makes things much easier if such is already available. Also, getting the program on the EEPROM might be a bit difficult...
Do you know of any good books, websites or other resources to point me to in order to learn how to build my own single-board computer? Any help is much appreciated.
Did you ever consider microcontrollers such as Atmel AVR series? It has pretty much all things you mentioned in a single chip and is supported by GCC. You'd need to add power, sensors and the rest of the stuff, but the computer processor, RAM and some flash memory would be there.
– AndrejaKo – 2010-09-29T19:13:55.780@AnderjaKo: Oooh, fancy! Those appear indeed to be what I'm looking for! And all in one package! Thanks a bunch! =D But why didn't you write this as an answer...? – gablin – 2010-09-30T06:57:33.697