Complex Programmable Logic Device (CPLD) Definition

CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Device) is a device developed from PAL and GAL devices. It is relatively large in size and complex in structure and belongs to the scope of large-scale integrated circuits. It is a digital integrated circuit that users construct their own logic functions according to their needs.

CPLD Architecture

CPLD Architecture

The basic design method is to use the integrated development software platform, use the schematic diagram, hardware description language and other methods to generate the corresponding target file, and transfer the code to the target chip through the download cable (“in-system” programming) to realize the designed digital system.

The CPLD is mainly composed of a programmable logic macro unit (MC, Macro Cell) around the center of the programmable interconnect matrix unit. The MC structure is complex and has a complex I/O unit interconnection structure and bring a great amount of difficulty for CPLD Cracking, and the user can generate a specific circuit structure according to needs to complete a certain function. Since the internal length of the CPLD is interconnected by a fixed length of metal lines, the designed logic circuit has time predictability, which avoids the disadvantage of incomplete prediction of the segmented interconnect structure timing.

EPM7128SLC84 CPLD Chip

EPM7128SLC84 CPLD Chip

In the 1970s, the earliest programmable logic device, PLD, was born and engineer develop the way to Reverse PLD IC Altera EPM7064LC44-15 in the same period of time. Its output structure is a programmable logic macro unit, because its hardware structure design can be done by software (equivalent to artificially designing a local indoor structure after the house is covered), so its design is more flexible than pure hardware digital circuits. But its overly simple structure also allows them to implement smaller circuits. In order to make up for the defect that PLD can only design small-scale circuits, in the mid-1980s, a complex programmable logic device, CPLD, was introduced. This application has penetrated into the network, instrumentation, automotive electronics, CNC machine tools, aerospace measurement and control equipment, etc.