Project Progress Summary
This week, our team achieved a major milestone: we successfully deployed the integrated CPU and PPU onto the Arty Z7-20 platform and achieved real-time execution of Donkey Kong, with the game rendering correctly on the screen. To reach this, we standardized a new debugging workflow that compares log traces from software emulators against our hardware simulation to quickly resolve behavioral divergences.
On the hardware front, we finalized the NES controller interface. This involved soldering a custom DC voltage regulator to allow the FPGA to safely drive the 5V controller logic and mapping those inputs to the PPU registers. We also integrated sprite-zero hit logic, enabling accurate split-screen scrolling. Finally, the APU is now roughly 50% validated, passing half of its functional test suite.
Significant Risks & Management
The most significant risk currently is the remaining 50% of APU functional tests. Ensuring cycle-accurate audio timing for triangle and noise channels is complex and could jeopardize the authentic experience use-case. To manage this, we are isolating APU development and using automated test cases to verify individual audio components before full system integration.
Design Changes
We have no new design changes to the system.
Schedule
Our project remains on schedule. With local single-player gameplay now functional on hardware, we are well-positioned for the interim demo. Our focus next week shifts to integrating the UDP network stack for the remote multiplayer component.