Re: GAL vs CPLD

From: Michał Pleban <*lists_at_michau.name*> Date: Tue, 18 Sep 2012 09:02:12 +0200 Message-ID: <50581C74.8060505@michau.name> · lists_at_michau.name

didier@aida.org wrote:

> What is best GAL or CPLD ?

That of course is a very general question ;-)

* GAL is an old chip, comparable to the PLA of 8-bit Commodores plus
flip-flops at the outputs. CPLD is bigger, has more IOs and more
flexible architecture allowing for much more sophisicated design.

* CPLD is harder to program and will need a special JTAG programmer, GAL
should be programmable by a decent EPROM programmer as well (at least
that's what my programmer advertises, never tried that) and building
your own GAL programmer is easy.

* It is hard to find 5V CPLDs now, the old Altera and Xilinx ones are
rare and expensive. I personally am working with Atmel 15xx chips which
are still available.

* Basing on the complexity, I am surprised about the price difference
you are quoting, it should be the other way around. I am sure you will
be able to find much cheaper GALs/PALs, but you will not find cheaper CPLDs.

Regards,
Michau.

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