What Is a Programmable IC?
Programmable integrated circuit, or IC, is not a term that the average computer user hears often. When you get a computer, you probably turn it on without thinking too hard about the electrical components. The different parts that make up a computer are collectively called the hardware. A programmable IC allows flexibility to those who put together that hardware when creating circuit boards.
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Motherboard
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Of all the equipment that makes up a computer, the motherboard is one of the most crucial. This is the central nervous system of your computer. It is the motherboard that manages the processes, and without it, your computer will not work. There are a number of components that go into making a motherboard, including logic chips. A logic chip is an integrated circuit that performs functions on the board. The programmable IC is a single logic chip.
PLD
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A programmable logic device, or PLD, is another name for a programmable IC. This is a logic chip that is not preset with a function. Whoever puts the motherboard together can assign a task to this chip. This is different than most chips on a board. A motherboard is a complex piece of hardware and most of the components must be preassigned in order for the board to be viable. The PLD allows some flexibility in certain functions. This way the technician building the computer can customize it.
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Fusion-Based
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Fusion-based chips are one form of programmable IC, or PLD. These components are single use, or can only be programmed once. When a technician receives the chip, he assigns the job to it using a melting process. This "fuses" the chip into place on the board and it cannot be moved. Fusion-based chips still provide the architect with some flexibility when designing a system, but are limiting in some ways. When a computer is broken down for parts, that chip cannot be taken off and reused for another board.
Reprogrammable
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A reprogrammable IC is another type of programmable IC, or PLD. It is a chip that can be changed around and reused for a variety of processes. The reprogrammable chips work in conjunction with a memory cell. It is the combination of the two elements that add to the flexibility of the chip. When the designer allocates a chip for a specific process, the choice is set into the memory cell. When the process changes, the new order replaces the old one in the cell.
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References
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