On Thu, 16 Sep 2004, Herbert Graf wrote:

> Depends on your definition of "pointless". Had a look at that part,
> nice, except for two things (which is sadly common of most FPGAs and is
> the reason I've never used them in a hobbyist project):
>
> 1. requires extra chips to program at powerup (programming proms),
> annoying to deal with considering a CPLD doesn't need that, and cost
> extra.

True.

> 2. HORRIBLE packages from a hobbyist's point of view. PLCC = easy for
> hobbyist, TQFP = not easy. Let's not mention BGA.

I have a hand soldered Cyclone here ;-) Not as bad as you may think after 
a bit of practice. Agreed on BGA, however.

> I'm not saying an FPGA is a bad idea, I'm saying, for the op's
> application, a CPLD is more then enough.

I'd actually probably still use an FPGA and get the PIC out of the 
equation. I can run a 75Mhz PIC clone on even the smallest Cyclone part, 
but I digress...


-marc
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