2025 One Hertz Challenge: 16-Bit Architecture Illuminates at One Hertz Frequency
Peter's 16-bit Relay CPU Shines in One Hertz Challenge
In the realm of DIY electronics, a remarkable project has been making waves - a 16-bit relay CPU that controls a blinking light with precision. Peter, its developer, has been documenting the project in ongoing logs, providing a fascinating insight into the world of relay-based computers.
The CPU, a tower of five main levels, is a testament to Peter's creativity and ingenuity. At its base, a couple of microcontrollers provide clock signals and memory support. As you ascend, the second level down handles address calculations for commands, followed by the arithmetic logic unit level. The top board, the main control board, governs the entire system.
The heart of the CPU is its output register, which houses a 220V lamp that blinks at an impressively accurate 1 Hz. According to oscilloscope readings, the light blinking is within 1% of its intended frequency. This accuracy is a testament to Peter's meticulous design and craftsmanship.
While the initial presentation of the project may have suggested it was limited to simply blinking a light, it has proven to be far more versatile. With 19 programmable commands, the CPU can perform much more complex tasks beyond just lighting up a bulb. These tasks could include arithmetic operations, conditional branching, and address calculations typical in a 16-bit processor architecture.
The 16-bit relay CPU is not just a novelty; it's a showcase of the potential of relay-based computers. It can manage input/output control signals, implement timers and counters, control other electromechanical devices, and execute conditional logic for more complex control sequences.
This CPU's 16-bit architecture allows it to handle data and instructions in 16-bit chunks, giving it greater computational capability than simpler 8-bit relay CPUs. While blinking a light demonstrates basic functionality and timing precision, the CPU's instruction set implies it could be programmed for more sophisticated automation, control systems, or even calculations that rely on that instruction set and relay logic.
In the One Hertz Challenge, Peter's 16-bit relay CPU stands out as an example of a complex and versatile relay computer design. It's receiving recognition for its amazing-sounding design, offering "clicking goodness" to those who appreciate the beauty of relay-based computing.
Science and technology intertwine in Peter's 16-bit Relay CPU, as demonstrated in the One Hertz Challenge. The CPU's base utilizes microcontrollers, harnessing modern electronic advancements, while its design philosophically resonates with classic relay-based computer technology.
