Live data from Hacker News

Virtual Apollo Guidance Computer

github.com

11–20 of 23 posts

Re: Virtual Apollo Guidance Computer

#13
post #4

Is this the same software Curious Marc is using to emulate a DSKY/AGC for their apollo comms project? Or are they using something custom spun up to support the hardware they are working on?

https://www.curiousmarc.com/space/apollo-guidance-computer#h... "Mike Stewart has developed gate accurate FPGA replicas of the AGC and its test hardware. It represents a massive amount of work. If you are Mike, you can use it to fly the real missions, and simulate every signal in the AGC. Making this work is not for the faint or heart and requires intimate understanding of the AGC hardware and software. We offer no i…

For the communications project specifically (and also a couple of other projects we have going on), I combined the FPGA AGC and the Monitor into a single design that runs on a Digilent Cmod A7-35T: https://github.com/thewonderidiot/cmod_agc

It's a lot cheaper and more accessible in this form, and much easier to integrate into projects that need AGC stand-ins.

Aside from the FPGA design though, yeah, all of the AGC software and the assembler is in the VirtualAGC repository.

Re: Virtual Apollo Guidance Computer

#14
For a comprehensive exposition of the technical aspects of the AGC, look no further than the Ultimate Apollo Guidance Computer Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xx7Lfh5SKUQ

They not only do a brilliant job of exposing this niche system, but it is a foundational lecture for my knowledge of computer architecture in general

Re: Virtual Apollo Guidance Computer

#15
post #11

https://apolloinrealtime.org/11/ AGC is one of the classic computers that would be great to see reproduced with the original controls and UI, but with modern ICs at a budget price. Similar to NES classic re-release.

I'm sure it could be emulated with a FPGA or similar, if it was a few hundred bucks and came with a DSKY lookalike I'd buy it

Re: Virtual Apollo Guidance Computer

#16
post #11

https://apolloinrealtime.org/11/ AGC is one of the classic computers that would be great to see reproduced with the original controls and UI, but with modern ICs at a budget price. Similar to NES classic re-release.

I'm sure it could be emulated with a FPGA or similar, if it was a few hundred bucks and came with a DSKY lookalike I'd buy it

I am willing to pay to have the physical interface built if anyone with the machinist/electrical engineering skills is interested. My vision is to have the screen and button interface built, with a Raspberry Pi powering it. Reply if interested.

Re: Virtual Apollo Guidance Computer

#17
post #11

https://apolloinrealtime.org/11/ AGC is one of the classic computers that would be great to see reproduced with the original controls and UI, but with modern ICs at a budget price. Similar to NES classic re-release.

I'm sure it could be emulated with a FPGA or similar, if it was a few hundred bucks and came with a DSKY lookalike I'd buy it

Check the YouTube series from @CuriousMarc, with the modern DSKY made by Ben Krasnow (@AppliedScience). They restored an original AGC, but used a gate-level accurate FPGA for testing. I believe the source is available, not 100%, but for sure Ben’s DSKY plans are available. Uses modern power and comms, but implements the original fluorescent on glass display tech.

Re: Virtual Apollo Guidance Computer

#18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm sure it could be emulated with a FPGA or similar, if it was a few hundred bucks and came with a DSKY lookalike I'd buy it

Check the YouTube series from @CuriousMarc, with the modern DSKY made by Ben Krasnow (@AppliedScience). They restored an original AGC, but used a gate-level accurate FPGA for testing. I believe the source is available, not 100%, but for sure Ben’s DSKY plans are available. Uses modern power and comms, but implements the original fluorescent on glass display tech.

N/m, this has already been documented in these comments: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=41102844

Re: Virtual Apollo Guidance Computer

#19
What I would give to have something like this in my car. Toggle switches and tactile push buttons. Solid, easily-readable heads-up display in the windscreen or above the dash, even if it was just 7/14-segment readouts, would be better than a touchscreen navigation computer.
Post reply on HN