Chip 8 Emulator Implementation in C++

This project is a Chip 8 emulator written in C++. The Chip 8 is a simple, interpreted programming language used on early computers and gaming systems. This emulator replicates the behavior of the Chip 8 virtual machine, allowing you to run Chip 8 programs and games.

Features

• Instruction Set Implementation: Full support for the Chip 8 instruction set, including opcodes for graphics, input, and timers.
• Graphics Rendering: Emulates the 64x32 monochrome display using modern rendering techniques.
• Input Handling: Maps the Chip 8's hexadecimal keypad to modern keyboard inputs.
• Timers: Implements the delay and sound timers as specified in the Chip 8 specification.
• Debugging Tools: Includes optional logging and debugging features to trace program execution.

Implementation Details

• CPU: The emulator's CPU processes Chip 8 instructions in a cycle-based manner, fetching, decoding, and executing opcodes.
• Memory: Emulates the Chip 8's 4KB memory, including reserved areas for the interpreter, font set, and program data.
• Graphics: Uses a simple framebuffer to emulate the Chip 8's pixel-based display.
• Sound: Implements a basic sound system to emulate the Chip 8's buzzer.
• Input: Maps the Chip 8's 16-key keypad to modern keyboard keys for user interaction.

Build

To build the project, ensure you have a C++ compiler and CMake installed. Then, follow these steps:

1. Clone the repository:

   git clone <repository-url>
   cd SDLearn

2. Create a build directory and navigate to it:

   mkdir build && cd build

3. Run CMake to configure the project:

   cmake ..

4. Build the project:

   cmake --build .

Usage

1. Run the emulator executable:

   ./chip8_emulator <path-to-chip8-rom>

2. Use the mapped keys to interact with the program. Refer to the documentation for key mappings.

Allowed Keyboard

The Chip 8 uses a 16-key hexadecimal keypad, which is mapped to modern keyboard keys as follows:

Chip 8 Key	Keyboard Key
1	1
2	2
3	3
C	4
4	Q
5	W
6	E
D	R
7	A
8	S
9	D
E	F
A	Z
0	X
B	C
F	V

Special character ESC close the emulator

Future Improvements

• Add support for Super Chip 8 instructions.
• Improve sound emulation for better accuracy.
• Add a graphical user interface for easier ROM selection and configuration.

License

This project is licensed under the MIT License. See the LICENSE file for details.

Acknowledgments

• The Chip 8 instruction set and architecture are well-documented thanks to the efforts of the retrocomputing community.
• Special thanks to online resources and tutorials that provided guidance on emulator development.