Unlocking the infinite possibilities of programmable logic devices

We often say that logic devices are the "glue" of every electronic product design, but they are often the last thing you consider when selecting components for your system. It is true that there are many proven standard logic devices to choose from. However, as designs become more complex, we need to integrate logic components on the board to leave room for more functions.

More and more engineers are choosing programmable logic devices (PLDs), complex PLDs (CPLDs), or field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) to help reduce solution size, lower design and manufacturing costs, manage their supply chain, and shorten time to market. There are many trade-offs to consider when designing with CPLDs or FPGAs, which support thousands of logic elements, are available in a variety of package sizes, and may require advanced software programming expertise.

New PLDs in the Texas Instruments (TI) PLD portfolio integrate dozens of sequential logic and analog functions into a single package, reducing overall board space by 90 percent or more and component count by at least 80 percent compared to discrete logic devices. Figure 1 shows multiple Texas Instruments functions integrated into a single, industry-standard package.

Configurable logic in a reasonable size

Texas Instruments' PLD product line includes products that integrate logic functions, D-type flip-flops, pipeline delays, pattern generators, counters, delays, comparators, and more. You no longer need to change hardware designs to support different or new functions or parameters; instead, you can use standard and configurable logic elements to develop solutions that provide the performance you need. Texas Instruments' PLDs do not require software development and hardware description language coding experience. Figure 1 outlines the configurable logic elements of the TPLD1201.

Figure 1: TPLD1201 Block Diagram – Configurable Logic

Programmable logic in industry-standard packaging

Many PLDs on the market today come in application-specific packages to support consumer electronics applications. Texas Instruments' PLDs come in standard Joint Electron Device Engineering Council (JEDEC) leaded and leadless package options, allowing you to easily implement programmable logic in automotive and industrial applications. Texas Instruments' PLD product line includes 0.5mm pitch leaded packages that help you achieve solderability and automated optical inspection to ensure system safety and long-term reliability. These devices have an operating temperature range of –40°C to 125°C and are qualified to the Automotive Electronics Council (AEC) Q-100.

Configure in seconds

Texas Instruments PLDs simplify the programming process by using an easy-to-use graphical interface to configure the desired circuit. After designing the logic circuit, you can temporarily configure the device for evaluation or permanently program the device for use in a final product. Texas Instruments developed InterConnect Studio to provide convenience to designers, allowing them to configure Texas Instruments PLDs without coding experience. InterConnect Studio helps you complete development and simulation in minutes and prototype in seconds. Figure 2 shows the circuit design for a power sequencing application using InterConnect Studio.

Figure 2: InterConnect Studio desktop view.

Demonstrates power sequencing application using Texas Instruments TPLD1201

From the menu on the left side of the GUI, you can add different components by selecting the plus sign next to the component. You can make connections between components by simply dragging and dropping, and further fine-tune them in the menu below the main window.

Once you have designed the circuit and run the simulation, you can easily temporarily configure the device through the TPLD programmer and evaluation module by simply pressing the CONFIGURE TPLD button. If you would like to permanently program the device, you can select a checkbox in the menu.

Conclusion

Today, designers have a wide range of programmable logic solutions to choose from. Compared to more advanced programmable products, Texas Instruments' PLDs offer smaller packaging options, smaller printed circuit boards, lower production costs, ultra-low power consumption, fewer logic elements, analog capabilities, and easier programming. You can be sure that you now have more choices to meet your programmable logic needs to meet your application requirements.

Additional Resources

• Learn about Texas Instruments' growing PLD product family: PLD Product Family.

• Compare Texas Instruments PLD products to this parametric table.

• Read the Power Supply Sequencing via Feedback Using TI Programmable Logic Devices application note.

• Learn more about using lookup tables in programmable logic.