Programmable Logic Arrays

TL;DR

Programmable logic arrays (PLAs) are simple, versatile digital devices used to implement combinational logic, with various types available, that have contributed significantly to rapid prototyping and system design.

Contribution

This paper provides an overview of PLAs, highlighting their structure, types, and applications, emphasizing their role in modern digital system design.

Findings

PLAs are used in diverse digital systems.

They offer simplicity and predictable performance.

Renewed interest in AND-OR PLAs persists.

Abstract

Programmable logic arrays (PLAs) are traditional digital electronic devices. A PLA is a simple programmable logic device (SPLD) used to implement combinational logic circuits. A PLA has a set of programmable AND gates, which link to a set of programmable OR gates to produce an output. The AND-OR layout of a PLA allows for implementing logic functions that are in a sum-of-products form. PLAs are available in the market in different types. PLAs could be stand alone chips, or parts of bigger processing systems. Stand alone PLAs are available as mask programmable (MPLAs) and field programmable (FPLAs) devices. The attractions of PLAs that brought them to mainstream engineers include their simplicity, relatively small circuit area, predictable propagation delay, and ease of development. The powerful-but-simple property brought PLAs to rapid prototyping, synthesis, design optimization techniques, embedded systems, traditional computer systems, hybrid high-performance computing systems, etc. Indeed, there has been renewable interests in working with the simple AND-to-OR PLAs.