I need to do a quick design with a CPLD - estimate is 128 cells with 64 I/O pins. I don't really want to buy design software unless it is cheap and I know some of the vendors are doing limited spec free versions.
Are there any experts on here who have evaluated what is currently available and could point me in the easiest direction? Thanks!
Altera and Xilinx both have freely downloadable tools that will easily implement designs that size. comp.arch.fpga is a better place to look for tips on CPLD design, too.
-- Ben Jackson http://www.ben.com/
No expert I, but Lattice ISPLever and Xilinx Webpack spring to mind. Both free and downloadable (though registration is a pain). Unless you've got a lot of patience and fast broadband I'd try to dun a CD out of the local sales force.
Paul Burke
Unless
and if that doesn't work, check out Xilinx's website - I believe you can order a Webpack CD online, but it will cost you a small amount for post/packaging.
Regards.
If you are looking for small quantities (so that component price is not too important), then there are lots of manufacturers, and most have free software. You still have to buy some sort of jtag-type download cable for programming them, however, and you might find the easiest and cheapest way is to get hold of a starter kit or small development kit.
Personally, I'd go for Altera, because I think their tools are better than the (old) Lattice software I've used, and the Xilinx software I tried out.
Not an expert.
What package ? What voltage ? what IO voltage ?
Xilinx coolrunner2
The coolrunner2 starter kit is US$50 from the xilinx online store comes with software including webpack has a coolrunner2 256 macrocell cpld.
Can also buy it and addon modules from Digilentinc who make it for xilinx
Quite a nice board and easy to use. Just get some faster oscillators (4 pin, dip8)
cpld matrix
Usually can sink more current than they can source.
The cheapest of the xilinx cplds in 128 cells probably the coolrunner2's. Costwise for large cplds you may find it cheaper to use a smaller fpga depending on the features you need and quantities.
spartan and spartanxl have 5V versions
Don't know about Altera cplds as have never used them
Alex
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