Breadboard Computer Documentation

WINLAB Summer Internship 2024

Advisors: Dr. Richard Howard, Dr. Richard Martin

Group Members: Rithvik Madiraju, Dilan Gandhi

The goal of our project is to build a 8-bit computer from scratch on a breadboard using different electrical components like Integrated Circuits, LEDs, Wires, etc. Our aim is to document the step-by-step process, including schematics, notes, and procedures, so that others can replicate the creation of their own Breadboard Computer.

If you’d like to try this project yourself, you can now buy a complete kit that includes all of the parts used throughout the entire project.

1. Breadboards
2. Jumper wires (various lengths)
3. LEDs
4. Resistors (various values)
5. Capacitors (various values)
6. Integrated Circuits (ICs)
   • 74LS161 (4-bit binary counter)
   • 74LS245 (octal bus transceiver)
   • 74LS373 (octal transparent latch)
   • 74LS08 (quad 2-input AND gate)
   • 74LS32 (quad 2-input OR gate)
   • 74LS00 (quad 2-input NAND gate)
   • 74LS138 (3-to-8 line decoder)
   • 74LS86 (quad 2-input XOR gate)
   • 555 Timer
   • EPROM (e.g., 27C256)
   • RAM (e.g., 62256)
   • Clock oscillator (e.g., 1 MHz)
   • 74LS181 (Arithmetic Logic Unit, ALU)
   • 74LS173 (4-bit D-type register)
   • 74LS257 (quad 2-to-1 multiplexer)
   • 74LS283 (4-bit binary adder)
7. Other components:
   • Push buttons
   • Switches
   • Crystal oscillator
   • EEPROM programmer
   • Power supply (5V)