One Hertz Challenge Highlight: 16-Bit Structure Flashes at One Hertz Frequency
In the realm of computing, a remarkable project has taken centre stage in the 2025 One Hertz Challenge - the creation of a 16-bit relay CPU. This intricate contraption, masterminded by [Peter], is a testament to the fusion of mechanical and electrical engineering.
The 16-bit relay CPU is a towering structure, comprising five main layers: a main control board, an address calculation level, an arithmetic logic unit (ALU) level, an output register with a 220V lamp blinking at 1 Hz, and a base with microcontrollers for a clock signal and memory. This layered design allows for a variety of complex tasks to be executed[1].
The heart of the system is the ALU, where calculations take place, and the output register, which controls the blinking of the lamp. The lamp, a physical embodiment of the CPU's output, blinks at a precise 1 Hz, with timing accuracy within 1%. This is achieved through the use of a clock microcontroller at the base level, which generates timing signals and orchestrates the relay switching through the control and ALU boards[1].
The characteristic clicking sound heard as the circuit energizes and de-energizes the lamp load is a testament to the relay-driven switching layers at work.
The 16-bit relay CPU boasts a 19-command instruction set, offering a modest programming environment built from relay logic circuits combined with microcontroller timing[1]. This instruction set allows the CPU to perform more complex operations beyond simple blinking, including arithmetic and logic operations, jumps, and output control.
In the One Hertz Challenge, this unique entry stands out for its complexity and innovative approach. The diversity of relay computer designs on display in the challenge underscores the ingenuity and creativity of its participants.
In essence, the 16-bit relay CPU is a mechanical marvel that goes beyond simple blinking lights to offer a functional, albeit unconventional, computing device. It serves as a testament to the power of human ingenuity and the endless possibilities of technology.
[1] Documented in ongoing logs, these facts provide a detailed account of [Peter]'s progress in creating this clicking and clacking masterpiece.
The 16-bit relay CPU's base is equipped with microcontrollers that manage the clock signal and memory, a crucial component for its advanced functionality. This CPU, built by Peter, is not just a mechanical marvel blinking at 1 Hz, but a data-and-cloud-computing-enabled gadget, thanks to its 19-command instruction set rooted in relay logic circuits and microcontrollers.
