Design Tools and Logic Design with FPLDs

Abstract

This chapter covers aspects of the tools and methodologies used to design with FPLDs. The need for tightly coupled design frameworks, or environments, is discussed and the hierarchical nature of digital systems design is emphasized. All major design description (entry) tools are introduced including schematic entry tools and hardware description languages. The complete design procedure, which includes design entry, processing, and verification, is shown in an example of a simple digital system. An integrated design environment for FPLD-based designs, the Altera’s Max+PLUS II environment, is introduced. It includes various design entry, processing, and verification tools.