"Next-Gen" FPGA-Based VMU for the Sega Dreamcast

Final project presentation for a graduate-level VLSI class by Falco Girgis. The project attempts to recreate and eventually enhance the Sega Dreamcast's Visual Memory Unit on a single chip using an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

Presentation (PDF): http://elysianshadows.com/vmu/cpe526_presentation.pdf

Presentation (PowerPoint): http://elysianshadows.com/vmu/cpe526_presentation.pptx

Project Proposal Paper (PDF): http://elysianshadows.com/vmu/cpe526_proposal.pdf

I figured that while I'm finishing up my Masters in Computer Engineering, I would attempt to make all of my final projects related to Elysian Shadows. This was hardware design and verification course on VHDL and System Verilog, requiring a final hardware project to be implemented on an FPGA. What better way to integrate a hardware project with the Elysian Shadows project than to recreate the beloved Sega Dreamcast Visual Memory Unit?

The first step was to implement all of the functionality of the original VMU, which was the project's scope for the class. It's about 85% there and will soon be fully playable. This core functionality will remain in the new design for backwards compatibility with existing VMU functionality and software.

The plan is to eventually upgrade the design into a VMUv2.0 with the following features:

1. PC Connectivity: The Steam/PC versions of ES and other homebrew can interface with the device just as the DC would.
2. Mass storage Device: Simply drag and drop save files and other data onto the device.
3. Upgraded Display: Color support, higher resolution, backlit screen.
4. Upgraded Architecture: 16-bit architecture and more powerful instruction set architecture.
5. More Storage Capacity: No more running out of space and needing 10 VMUs.
6. High-Quality Audio: Much more than just a simple buzzer.
7. Rechargeable Batteries: Yes, we're all so goddamn sick of the CR2032 batteries dying every two seconds.
8. Store Multiple Simultaneous VMU Games: No more only allowing one VMU-game per device. The new architecture would allow you to swap between any number of VMU games.

Schoo is out, and I don't plan on taking this many classes at once again any time soon. Look forward to more updates on Elysian Shadows and ElysianVMU coming soon! ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcdw7fIOlfA