Atmel’s EPLD product line comprises two major categories: simple programmable logic devices (SPLDs) and higher density complex programmable logic devices (CPLDs). Essentially, Atmel SPLD lineup consists of industry standard 16V8 and 22V10s in a variety of voltage and power-saving options.
“We offer low-voltage, zero-power and quarter power versions as well as our proprietary ‘L’ automatic power down low-power devices including the battery friendly ATF22LV10CQZ,” an Atmel engineering rep told Bits & Pieces. “All popular packages are supported in addition to the Atmel-only, TSSOP package – the smallest package offered for any SPLD device. All versions are EE-based for high-reliability and easy re-programming and are supported by all popular third party programmers.”
Meanwhile, the ATF15xxAS/ASL/ASV/ASVL CPLD family offers pin-compatible supersets of the popular Altera 7000 and 3000 series, devices ranging from 32 to 128 macrocells with propagation delays from 7.5 to 15 ns for 5V standard power versions and 15 ns for 3.3V versions. Specifically, Atmel’s proprietary low-power (“L”) versions use Input Transition Detection (ITD) to power down the device automatically when nothing is switching. All devices also support JTAG in-system programming (ISP).
“The Logic Doubling features of the ATF15xx family make these products ideal for new designs. The ATF15xx family offers the most powerful switch matrix and routing resources of any CPLD while also supporting multiple independent feedbacks, individual output enable, global clear and D/T/latch configurable flip-flops,” the Atmel engineering rep continued. “More global clock pins, a programmable pin-keeper and the ability to realize two latches per macrocell are further examples of the enhanced features available from this CPLD product family.”
In addition, Atmel CPLDs can be used for I/O expansion as well as for memory, control and Interfacing with different types of memories such as compact Flash or mobile SDRAM. Simply put, converting an Altera EPM7000 series design is easy with Atmel’s push button POF2JED software utility that generates an industry standard JEDEC programming file from an Altera POF file.
Last but certainly not least, Atmel offers the ATF750C/CL and ATF2500C CPLDs, with the ATF750C boasting twice the logic of a standard 22V10 in a pin-out compatible 24- or 28-pin package. The ATF750C is ideal for 22V10 designs requiring a bit more logic than is typically offered in a 22V10 device, but still needs to maintain the 22V10 pin-out. The ATF2500C is a very high-density (2500 usable gates) 44-pin CPLD, ideally suitable for the most difficult 44-pin designs. It should probably be noted that the ATF2500C (electrically erasable) has replaced the ATV2500B/BQ/BQL/BL in commercial, industrial and military temperature grade offerings.
Interested in learning more? Be sure to check out extensive product category breakdown here.
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