Tools for programming 16V8 GAL

[perdrix]

OK I know about WinCUPL, but this isn't C or anything like, and I'd like to be able to use Schematic entry which the MicroChip version doesn't seem to support.

If there's a version out there that does allow schematic entry please point me to the DL location.

Are there any tools out there that will allow me to do schematic entry for programming the 16V8 and also use VHDL which seems easier for me to understand then CUPL.

Thanks
David

[oPossum]

Schematic and VHDL for GALs

http://www.latticesemi.com/ispleverclassic

[perdrix]

Thank you, I'll give it a try, but have a nasty suspicion it will only support Lattice parts.

D.

[james_s]

Schematic entry is a waste of time, it's just a gimmick that is used to impress people at trade shows. Take the time to learn enough HDL and you'll save a lot of time in the long run. The logic you'd be putting in a little GAL like that is going to be pretty trivial.

[amspire]

Schematic entry is a waste of time, it's just a gimmick that is used to impress people at trade shows. Take the time to learn enough HDL and you'll save a lot of time in the long run. The logic you'd be putting in a little GAL like that is going to be pretty trivial.

I totally agree with James. These devices are so simple that you basically need to use code that directly specifies how the device will be configured. When I have programmed devices like this, I could literally list the state that will be needed for every programmable link. They are not like the bigger chips that need routing.

Also many of these devices use a lot of power. If you are used to microcontrollers running off 5mA, these are in another league.  75mA or 45mA before you even look at switching power losses. Since the chips are so simple, designs often need several chips and that makes the power dissipation worse. Forget it for battery operation. I would really advise you look for some more recent cmos based chips that uses near zero power in a static mode.

[TomS_]

I dont find WinCUPL to be all that bad. Well, CUPL the language isnt too bad, but WinCUPL the software has some quirks that take some time to get used to...

I like CUPL because youre basically writing the logic that will be implemented in almost the most direct form possible. Its like assembly language for logic devices. Maybe Im just weird like that. 

A GAL is so simple that to define your logic in schematic would probably end up taking longer than writing a few equations in CUPL. Take the time to learn it (some kind of HDL whether CUPL for GAL or one of the Vs for CPLD/FPGA), if you ever end up having to work with this stuff in the real world you probably wont be working with schematics.