Programmable Logic Devices

Programmable logic devices (PLDs) belong to the integrated circuits (IC). They divide up into immediately available standard ICs and ‘application specific’ integrated circuits (ASIC), which are yet to be made in a rather time consuming way. From the manufacturer’s point of view PLDs are standard products for a maximum clientele, from the customer’s point of view, however, they are application specific after programming. Thus the PLDs combine the advantage of immediate availability with application specific functionality which explains their attractiveness.