The Hindu Business Line : `Programmable logic tools market to expand fast'

IN an era where technological changes are impacting every aspect of human life and computing getting increasingly pervasive, can `programmable logic' solutions bringing greater flexibility, faster adaptability, be far behind?

In fact, that is what these programmable logic solutions are doing to the semiconductor industry, touching every conceivable area in the electronics industry, automotive sector and defence applications, thereby bringing in a paradigm shift in the industry.

The Executive Vice-President, Programmable Logic Solutions of Xilinx Corporation, a $1.6-billion major, Mr Richard W. Sevcik, told Business Line, "Unlike the traditional fixed logic systems, programmable logic solutions are faster to design, cheaper to implement and provide the flexibility for constant upgrade and change as required."

Just imagine a top-end limousine having a high-technology content. With programmable logic applications, this can be upgraded without having to change the existing design.

On the contrary, if it were a fixed programme application, the entire hardware with software has to be extracted and a fresh set incorporated.

So what is programmable logic?

In the world of digital electronic systems, there are three basic kinds of devices — memory, microprocessors and logic. Memory devices store random information such as the contents of a spreadsheet or database.

Microprocessors execute software instructions to perform a wide variety of tasks such as running a word processing programme or video game.

Logic devices provide specific functions, including device-to-device interfacing, data communication, signal processing, data display, timing and control operations and almost every other function a system must perform.

Mr Sevcik said with programmable logic devices, designers use inexpensive software tools to quickly develop, simulate and test their designs.

In areas such as entertainment devices, DVD players, and automotive navigation system, these programmable logic systems are being used thereby helping faster development and deployment.

"The beauty about the programmable logic solutions is that they are pre-defined and tested software modules the customer can use to create system functions instantly. They save customers a lot of time and expense. As opposed to fixed logic, which could possibly take about $5 million to $20 million and up to two years, this can be handled with a few thousand dollars and deployed rapidly," Mr Sevcik said.

"Xilinx has emerged as the market leader in the programmable logic applications. With a thriving electronics industry in the Asia-Pacific region, about 40 per cent of Xilinx revenues come from the region. The market for programmable logic solutions, just about 10 per cent of the $13 billion worldwide presently, is likely to expand rapidly," he said.

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`Programmable logic tools market to expand fast'