Programmable logic device in the context of "FPGA"

Play Trivia Questions online!

 or

Skip to study material about Programmable logic device in the context of "FPGA"

⭐ Core Definition: Programmable logic device

A programmable logic device (PLD) is an electronic component used to build reconfigurable digital circuits. Unlike digital logic constructed using discrete logic gates with fixed functions, the function of a PLD is undefined at the time of manufacture. Before the PLD can be used in a circuit it must be programmed to implement the desired function. Compared to fixed logic devices, programmable logic devices simplify the design of complex logic and may offer superior performance. Unlike for microprocessors, programming a PLD changes the connections made between the gates in the device.

PLDs can broadly be categorised into, in increasing order of complexity, simple programmable logic devices (SPLDs), comprising programmable array logic, programmable logic array and generic array logic; complex programmable logic devices (CPLDs); and field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs).

↓ Menu

👉 Programmable logic device in the context of FPGA

A field-programmable gate array (FPGA) is a type of configurable integrated circuit that can be repeatedly programmed after manufacturing. FPGAs are a subset of logic devices referred to as programmable logic devices (PLDs). They consist of a grid-connected array of programmable logic blocks that can be configured "in the field" to interconnect with other logic blocks to perform various digital functions. FPGAs are often used in limited (low) quantity production of custom-made products, and in research and development, where the higher cost of individual FPGAs is not as important and where creating and manufacturing a custom circuit would not be feasible. Other applications for FPGAs include the telecommunications, automotive, aerospace, and industrial sectors, which benefit from their flexibility, high signal processing speed, and parallel processing abilities.

A FPGA configuration is generally written using a hardware description language (HDL) e.g. VHDL, similar to the ones used for application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs). Circuit diagrams were formerly used to write the configuration.

↓ Explore More Topics
In this Dossier

Programmable logic device in the context of Logic design

In computer engineering, logic synthesis is a process by which an abstract specification of desired circuit behavior, typically at register transfer level (RTL), is turned into a design implementation in terms of logic gates, typically by a computer program called a synthesis tool. Common examples of this process include synthesis of designs specified in hardware description languages, including VHDL and Verilog. Some synthesis tools generate bitstreams for programmable logic devices such as PALs or FPGAs, while others target the creation of ASICs. Logic synthesis is one step in circuit design in the electronic design automation, the others are place and route and verification and validation.

↑ Return to Menu

Programmable logic device in the context of Glue logic

In electronics, glue logic is the custom logic circuitry used to interface a number of off-the-shelf integrated circuits. This is often achieved using common, inexpensive 7400- or 4000-series components. In more complex cases, a programmable logic device like a CPLD or FPGA might be used. The falling price of programmable logic devices, combined with their reduced size and power consumption compared to discrete components, is making them common even for simple systems. In addition, programmable logic can be used to hide the exact function of a circuit, in order to prevent a product from being cloned or counterfeited.

The software equivalent of glue logic is called glue code.

↑ Return to Menu

Programmable logic device in the context of Programmable array logic

Programmable Array Logic (PAL) is a family of programmable logic device semiconductors used to implement logic functions in digital circuits that was introduced by Monolithic Memories, Inc. (MMI) in March 1978. MMI obtained a registered trademark on the term PAL for use in "Programmable Semiconductor Logic Circuits". The trademark is currently held by Lattice Semiconductor.

PAL devices consisted of a small PROM (programmable read-only memory) core and additional output logic used to implement particular desired logic functions with few components.

↑ Return to Menu
LINKED FROM (PARENTS)
← Logic design ← FPGA ← Glue logic ← Programmable array logic
LINKS TO (CHILDREN)
Programmable array logic → AND gate → OR gate → Electronics → Reconfigurable computing → Digital circuits → Logic gate → Microprocessors → Simple programmable logic device → Programmable logic array → Generic array logic → Complex programmable logic device → Field-Programmable Gate Array →