COURSE NAME :APPLY FUNDAMENTAL DIGITAL ELECTRONICS

LEARNING OUTCAME 4: Apply

Programmable Logic Devices

GROUP 3 ACTIVITY

Understanding Complex Programmable Logic Devices

Complex Programmable Logic Devices (CPLDs) are a great tools in today's

technology, helping to create versatile and efficient electronic systems
across various industries. These powerful devices allow you to build
custom systems that can adapt and scale to meet different needs, from
telecommunications to manufacturing. In this content, we'll explore what
CPLDs do, how they've developed over time, and their main features and
uses. We'll also show how CPLDs make designing and testing new
electronics faster and more reliable, proving to be great in advancing
modern technology. Whether used in sophisticated manufacturing
processes or complex communication networks, CPLDs are invaluable in
pushing the boundaries of what electronic systems can do.

Understanding CPLD

A Complex Programmable Logic Device (CPLD) is a compact yet powerful

tool that enables you to create custom digital systems by designing logic
functions using schematic diagrams or programming languages like VHDL
and Verilog. These designs are uploaded directly to the CPLD chip through
a process called in-system programming, which allows for updates and
adjustments without the need for hardware replacement. This flexibility
speeds up development, simplifies refinements, and supports innovation,
making CPLDs a favorite for applications like prototypes and embedded
systems, where adaptability and energy efficiency are major. With the
ability to simulate and test designs before implementation, tools like VHDL
and Verilog reduce errors and enhance reliability. As technology evolves,
CPLDs are becoming increasingly important in creating smarter, more
efficient, and adaptable systems.

CPLD Applications

CPLDs play a big role across various industries:

• Telecommunications - CPLDs enable the development of reconfigurable
network switches and routers. Their ability to adapt to changing protocols
and standards makes them great for modern communication systems.
• Automotive Electronics - CPLDs are used in advanced driver-
assistance systems (ADAS), supporting features like lane-keeping
assistance and collision detection with high reliability and fast processing
capabilities.
• Aerospace - CPLDs contribute to avionics systems, including flight data
recorders and satellite subsystems, where their precision and ability to
endure harsh environments are requisite.
• Industrial Automation - In CNC machining, CPLDs are used for motion
control and signal processing, providing the accuracy and customization
needed for high-precision manufacturing.

Evolution of Programmable Logic Devices

In the 1970s, new devices called programmable logic devices (PLDs)

changed technology by being more flexible than old hardware circuits.
These early PLDs were basic and worked well for small jobs, showing how
adaptable designs could open up new tech opportunities. By the 1980s,
more complex versions called Complex Programmable Logic Devices
(CPLDs) came out. CPLDs could manage complicated designs better than
earlier versions, giving you the ability to create custom solutions for tricky
problems.

CPLDs Features

• Flexible Setup - CPLDs are adaptable, allowing you to change your

digital logic setups to meet the requirements of your different projects. This
flexibility is useful in environments where the design needs frequently
change, enabling you to create custom solutions that meet your specific
demands.
• Efficient Design and Integration - CPLDs can combine multiple
functions into a single chip, which helps you save space and reduce costs.
This ability to integrate various features simplifies the design process and
speeds up the development from initial idea to final product, helping
maintain a competitive edge in fast-paced tech markets.
• Cost-Effective and Easy to Start - CPLDs are economical, offering
affordable development tools that are accessible to you. Their low cost
makes them suitable for educational purposes and commercial projects
alike, encouraging innovation and participation in digital design on a
smaller scale.
• Large-Scale Circuit Handling - CPLDs are reliable for creating large-
scale circuits, useful during the prototyping and small production phases
(typically less than 10,000 units). They fit well into plans that require
scalability and risk minimization, supporting strategic production
management.
• Versatility in Modern Electronics - CPLDs are great in both consumer
electronics and specialized industrial equipment, supporting designs that
need a mix of adaptability and dependability. You can rely on CPLDs for
developing systems that are both robust and innovative, cementing their
role in the continuously advancing field of electronics.
Operational Principles of CPLDs

Complex Programmable Logic Devices (CPLDs) are advanced circuits

used in electronics, similar to devices like PALs and GALs. CPLDs and
another device called FPGAs both use special programming languages,
VHDL and Verilog, to design circuits. They're different in structure, making
them suitable for different tasks.
CPLDs have core components called programmable logic macrocell arrays,
which have logic gates for managing various tasks, allowing adjustments
for space and power efficiency. This is specially useful in compact devices
like smartphones.
They also feature interconnect matrices that manage signal paths to ensure
smooth communication within the device, great for maintaining
performance in complex designs. CPLDs can handle complex logic
operations quickly, making them ideal for fast data processing. However,
they have fewer flip-flops compared to FPGAs, making them less suitable
for extensive sequential logic tasks.
CPLDs are commonly used in automation systems and communication
devices, favored for their cost-effectiveness, ease of programming, and
quick processing capabilities.
The product term array shown in the figure is an AND array. At each
intersection of this array, there is a programmable fuse. When the fuse is
enabled, the circuit performs an AND operation. This AND logic is
combined with the product term selection matrix, which functions as an OR
array. Together, these two arrays form the core of the combinational logic.
A programmable flip-flop (trigger) follows these arrays, completing the
design of the smallest programmable logic unit. When comparing the logic
implementation mechanisms of CPLDs and FPGAs, a difference becomes
clear. In CPLDs, the combinational logic is implemented using
programmable AND and OR arrays. By contrast, FPGAs store the logic
truth table in SRAM to achieve the same result. Additionally, each logic unit
in a CPLD typically contains only one programmable flip-flop, whereas
each logic unit in an FPGA typically includes eight flip-flops.
Flip-flops, as components, are for creating sequential logic circuits. CPLDs
excel in providing abundant combinational logic resources due to their
AND/OR arrays, making them well-suited for applications requiring complex
fixed logic. On the other hand, FPGAs offer extensive sequential logic
resources thanks to their numerous flip-flops, which makes them ideal for
designs involving data storage or dynamic logic reconfiguration. By
understanding these distinctions, it becomes evident why CPLDs are
commonly used in scenarios requiring deterministic and predictable logic,
while FPGAs are better suited for more flexible and dynamic designs.

Using Process

The process of utilizing Complex Programmable Logic Devices (CPLDs)

begins with you designing the system, much like architects creating
blueprints. You can use computer programs to draw detailed diagrams,
ensuring all parts integrate seamlessly.
Next, they write specific instructions for the system's behavior using a
coding language, similar to crafting a detailed recipe. Before the actual
device is constructed, the design undergoes computer simulations, akin to
a play's rehearsal, to ensure functionality and to address any issues. You
can determine the connections for external components like buttons and
screens, similar to setting up a home entertainment system.
Throughout this process, adjustments can be made easily, allowing for
improvements without starting over, much like tweaking a room's layout
during renovations. Once the design is finalized and tested, it can be
replicated and used to efficiently produce multiple devices, using a method
comparable to creating multiple copies with a mold.
Finally, you can continually refine the design based on feedback and
learning from each version, ensuring that each new device performs even
better than the last. This iterative and adaptive approach helps in
developing highly efficient and reliable systems.