Robert F. Hartmann

Erasable Programmable Logic Devices

Various acronyms are used to describe programmable logic, such as FPGA, GAL, PAL, EPLD, FPLA. Several of these acronyms have come to imply a particular architecture. EPLD, for example, is usually identified with array-based (AND-OR) programmable logic. This structure is particularly well-suited for implementing wide fan-in logic functions. These array-based structures were popularized in several families of bipolar, fuse-programmable logic devices but most particularly the PAL [Birkner 1978] which was introduced by MMI (Monolithic Memories, Inc. which was later acquired by Advanced Micro Devices.)