ng_AGC FPGA Version of Apollo Guidance Computer

The AGC (Apollo Guidance Computer) was a very early computer, designed in 1964, it was the first to use Integrated Circuits and the first modern embedded processor. When I was growing up, about 11 years old, I remember the Apollo program was fascinating to me and I had my eyesglued to the TV for days on end. The Moon landing made such a lasting impression on me that it is why I decided to go to engineering school and get a degree in Electrical Engineering.

Recently I saw a link to John Pultorak’s replica computer he built in tribute to the AGC. I was incredibly impressed with his accomplishment. It is built completely out of discrete TTL IC’s, all in wire wrap, more advanced than what was available in the ‘60’s but old by today’s standards. I think it was a fantastic achievement on his part and I applaud what he did. I also think I understand the retro-tech thinking on his part of using the oldest technology possible. But another retro-tech perspective is to adapt the latest technology to the old (or vice versa). I know that there are a number of efforts around Virtual AGC’s, that is emulators that run on PC’s. These are also very cool. I think a few people have messed around with an FPGA version, but I did not see a lot of work on that front. Also, I just thought it would be a fun and interesting project that would also be a learning experience.

This GitHub repository contains a number of documents which are listed below. There is a project description file under doc.

Directory Tree

Folder	Description
doc	Documents
design	Design and diagram files
rtl	Verilog code
rtl\de0\agc	The Terasic DE0 version
rtl\de0\modules	The DE0 version modules
rtl\ng\agc	ng_AGC Dedicated PCB version
rtl\ng\modules	ng_AGC Dedicated PCB version modules
rtl\ng\dsky	ng_DSKY Dedicated PCB with LCD
src	source code files
src\ide	Complete IDE for the Block I (Borland C++)
src\vt_dsky	Virtual DSKY for testing
src\asm\agc	Colussus code
src\asm\teco	Test and Check out code
pcb	Printed circuit board and schematic files
pcb\agc	PCB and schematics for ng_AGC
pcd\dsky	DSKY PCB and schematics

Verilog Module List

File	Description	Format
agc.bdf	AGC Top Level Module	BDF
ng_MON.v	Monitor Module	Verilog
ng_CLG.v	Clock Generation	Verilog
ng_INP.v	Input Module	Verilog
ng_DSP.v	Display Module	Verilog
ng_OUT.v	Output Module	Verilog
ng_SEQ.v	Sequencer Module	Verilog
ng_SUB.v	Sub-sequence decoder	Verilog
ng_CPM.v	Code Pulse Matrix	Verilog
ng_ADR.v	Address decoder	Verilog
ng_MEB.v	Memory and Buffer	Verilog
ng_CTR.v	Counter Module	Verilog
ng_INT.v	Interrupt handler	Verilog
ng_CRG.v	Central Registers	Verilog
ng_ALU.v	Arithmetic Logic Unit	Verilog
ng_PRM.v	Priority Mux Bus	Verilog