March
1999, Issue 104
JTAG—Working
with CoolPLD
REAL
ESTATE BROKER
Using
programmable logic may have been thrust on you for reasons
other than flexibility of reconfiguring the internal
logic. Population density may have been a factor.
With
programmable-logic devices, you can eliminate a large
number of the standard bubblegum-logic devices. Although
the programmable device costs more, it pays for itself
in saved real estate both on the PCB and in the inventory
room.
Today,
programmable devices are growing in size and density.
The complex programmable logic device (CPLD) not only
has more I/O pins but also more macrocells. In fact,
the number of macrocells available can outnumber the
actual I/O pins. This added density can potentially
eliminate even more support chips.
Your
company may have already made the leap of faith into
the world of SMT designs. SMT parts aren’t easily
socketed, so reprogramming these logic devices is a
hassle. What’s a designer to do?
Enter
JTAG. (You probably knew I was going to say that.)
