THE MAGAZINE FOR COMPUTER APPLICATIONS
Circuit Cellar Online offers articles illustrating creative solutions
and unique applications through complete projects, practical
tutorials, and useful design techniques.

WHATýS THE LOGIC BEHIND THE DESIGN?

Working with Programmable Logic

by George Martin

Start ý The Search Begins ý Navigating ý Counting the Ways ý Simulation ý Sources and PDF

THE SEARCH BEGINS

I recently needed to design a simple test set. I needed to use the latest devices, and that meant the latest software. Searching the Internet, I ended up on the Lattice Semiconductor home page. Working my way to the free software section, I found ispDesignEXPERT Starter. Itýs a big download, but itýs worth it, as you will see.

Manuals and tutorials come with the product. You can print them out or follow an online slide show as if in class. This is a big help because, in about a week, youýre ready to tackle a new design.

ispDesignEXPERT is an integrated environment that makes the PLD design problem a whole lot easier. The PLD portion of the test set I was designing needed to receive a clock and divide that clock by either 500 or 3200. The divide selector was an input pin, and the divided signal was an output pin. So, I was looking at a good first project.

PREVIOUS • NEXT