®
MAX
World’s Most Popular CPLDs
January 2003
World’s Most Popular CPLDs
The industry-leading Altera® MAX®
complex programmable logic devices
(CPLDs) are world-class highperformance and low-cost solutions
for a wide variety of digital applications. Non-volatile,
instant-on MAX CPLDs represent the ultimate in flexibility,
as they can be independent programmable solutions or
complement other semiconductors in a system. Their
deterministic routing guarantees fast, fixed, and predictable
pin-to-pin (propagation) delays. Based on the advanced
Multiple Array MatriX (MAX) architecture, these generalpurpose devices range in density from 32 to 512 macrocells.
Altera's MAX families include the cost-optimized
MAX 3000 and the high-performance MAX 7000 CPLDs,
each of which offers densities, packages, and speed grades
to meet a variety of design needs. Altera also offers easy-touse design software to get MAX designs running quickly.
A comparison of device voltages and features is shown in
Figure 1.
MAX CPLDs are ideal for a range of applications including
those shown in Figure 2.
Common MAX Features
The proven features of MAX CPLDs make them stand above
the rest. With an established track record, these industryleading devices deliver the performance and quality that
Altera customers trust. By choosing MAX devices, engineers
know that they are choosing a low-risk path for their
product development.
MAX devices offer straightforward design implementation
with the flexibility to meet most requirements. These
devices also offer inherent non-volatile and instant-on
operation as well as unique features such as MultiVolt™
I/O operation and Jam™ STAPL support for easy system
integration.
Non-Volatile & Instant-On Operation
MAX CPLDs are non-volatile, single-chip solutions that
do not require additional configuration devices. This means
that they can be pre-programmed and reprogrammed
using in-system programmability (ISP) and will retain the
programming algorithm securely, even when the device is
powered off. Since there is no configuration delay, MAX
CPLDs are also instant-on devices, meaning that they are
live at power up.
2
Figure 1. MAX Device Features & Voltage Comparison
MAX 7000B
t PD = 3.5 ns
MAX 7000AE
Features
t PD = 4.5 ns
MAX 3000A
MAX 7000S
t PD = 5.0 ns
t PD = 4.5 ns
2.5 V
3.3 V
5.0 V
Voltage
Figure 2. MAX Device Applications
Communication
Infrastructure Systems
Consumer Systems
■ Switches & Routers
■ DVD Recorders
■ Asynchronous Transfer
■ Plasma Display Modules
Mode (ATM) Line Cards
■ Set-Top Boxes
■ 3G Basestations
Computing Systems
■ Storage Servers
Automotive &
Industrial Applications
■ Application Servers
■ Infotainment
■ Printers
■ Test Equipment
■ System Monitoring
Density & Package Options
Altera’s MAX 3000 and MAX 7000 families offer 32 to
512 macrocells and several I/O options per density to meet
changing logic design needs. These devices are available
in a broad range of package options, including the lowcost, thin quad flat pack (TQFP) packages, the space-saving,
1.0-mm ball-pitch FineLine BGA® (FBGA) packages, and
0.8-mm ball-pitch Ultra FineLine BGA (UBGA) packages.
All of the packages are optimized to support density
migration, where different density devices in the same
package have the same pin-out structure. In addition, the
FineLine BGA packages feature the SameFrame™ pin-out
structure, which provides I/O migration within the same
density. These migration options provide added flexibility
to accommodate changes in design requirements.
In-System Programmability & Jam STAPL Support
All MAX devices support ISP and Jam STAPL through the
built-in IEEE 1149.1 Joint Test Action Group (JTAG)
interface. This allows designers to program a device after
Altera Corporation
Figure 3. ISP Increases Manufacturing Efficiency
Program In-System
Mount Unprogrammed
■
■
Eliminates Handling of Devices
Prevents Bent Leads
■
■
Allows Generic End-Product Inventory
Specific Test Protocol or Algorithm Can Be
Programmed During Manufacturing or Test Flow
it is mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB), as shown
in Figure 3. Using ISP reduces the risk of lead damage
and allows designers to program enhancements into a
device after it has been installed in the field. This eliminates
the need for expensive hardware upgrades. Jam STAPL
complements ISP by providing a software-level standard
for in-system programming. In addition, MAX devices
can be programmed using in-circuit testers, embedded
processors, and programming hardware from Altera or
third-party vendors.
MultiVolt I/O Operation
All MAX devices support MultiVolt I/O operation, which
allows devices to communicate in a mixed-voltage design
environment. From industrial applications that traditionally
call for 5.0-V I/O signals to consumer applications that
require lower voltages such as 2.5 V, MAX devices meet
the increasing demand for compatibility with devices of
different voltages on the same PCB.
Cost-Optimized MAX 3000 CPLDs
The cost-optimized MAX 3000 devices are the ideal choice
for high-volume CPLD applications. Featuring the packages,
densities, and propagation delays customers requested,
MAX 3000 devices provide designers with exceptional
performance at the lowest price per macrocell among MAX
devices. The 3.3-V MAX 3000 devices have an enhanced
ISP feature set and range in density from 32 to 512 macrocells,
as shown in Table 1.
Table 1. MAX 3000A Highlights
Feature
Benefit
Low Price per Macrocell
Ideal for low-cost, high-volume
applications
4.5-ns Propagation Delays
Provides fast system performance
Altera Corporation
Reprogram in the Field
■
■
No Need to Return System for Upgrade
Add Enhancements Quickly & Easily
High-Performance MAX 7000 CPLDs
Fabricated on a CMOS EEPROM process, the MAX 7000
family is a fast, easy-to-use programmable logic solution.
Because of its flexibility and simple programming requirements, MAX 7000 devices are the world's most popular
CPLD architecture.
MAX 7000 devices provide a rich feature set that includes
global clocking, fast input registers, and programmable
slew rate control, as shown in Table 2. High-speed global
clocks coupled with 3.5-ns propagation delays and fast
clock-to-out times create superior system performance with
high-speed, device-to-device communication. The programmable slew-rate control reduces system noise by slowing
the switching time of outputs that are not speed-critical.
Additionally, a programmable power-saving feature allows
for 50% or greater power reduction in each macrocell.
MAX 7000 devices are well-suited for mixed-voltage
environments, offering 2.5-V, 3.3-V, or 5.0-V core supply
operation with MultiVolt I/O operation to interface with
1.8-V, 2.5-V, 3.3-V, and 5.0-V devices.
MAX 7000AE
The popular MAX 7000AE devices are the industry-standard
3.3-V CPLD family. Fabricated on a 0.3-µm, four-layer-metal
Table 2. MAX 7000 Highlights
Feature
Benefit
3.5-ns Propagation Delays
Provides fast system performance
1.8-V I/O Interface
Supports emerging 1.8-V systems
Support for Advanced I/O
Standards
Supports GTL+ and SSTL-2/-3 I/O
standards
Programmable PowerSaving Mode
Reduces power consumption by
over 50%
Vertical & SameFrame
Migration
Addresses changing density and I/O
requirements without the need to
re-spin the board
3
process, these devices provide very fast propagation delays.
MAX 7000AE devices include an enhanced ISP algorithm
for faster programming times, an ISP done-bit to ensure
complete programming, and a pull-up resistor on the I/O
pins during in-system programming.
MAX 7000B
MAX 7000B devices feature the widest array of supported
I/O standards in an instant-on CPLD. Fabricated on a
0.22-µm, four-layer-metal process, MAX 7000B devices
are the industry’s first 1.8-V I/O pin-compatible CPLD.
Maintaining pin compatibility with MAX 7000S and
MAX 7000AE devices, MAX 7000B devices offer designers
a seamless path to lower voltages, faster propagation times,
and compatibility with new I/O standards. MAX 7000B
devices offer propagation delays as fast as 3.5 ns and
counter frequencies of over 300 MHz.
Altera offers five high-performance MAX 7000B devices
that feature 2.5-V ISP and support the following advanced
I/O standards:
■
■
LVCMOS
GTL+
■
■
LVTTL
SSTL-2 and SSTL-3
MAX 7000S
MAX 7000S devices feature 5.0-V core supply operation
and are ideal for system-level integration. With 5.0-V ISP,
these devices are pin-, function-, and programming-filecompatible with all MAX 7000 family members.
Easy-to-Use Design Software
Altera offers MAX developers the powerful yet easy-to-use
Quartus® II design software. This software offers unmatched
flexibility and performance and allows for seamless integration with industry-standard design entry, synthesis,
and verification software tools. The Quartus II software
supports all MAX 3000A, MAX 7000AE, and MAX 7000B
devices, and MAX developers are encouraged to use this
software for all new 3.3-V and 2.5-V MAX designs. Offering
a complete solution for CPLD design, the Quartus II
software includes features such as schematic and text-based
entry, HDL synthesis, place-and-route, and verification.
MAX developers also have the option to use the
MAX+PLUS® II design software, which supports all
MAX 3000A, MAX 7000AE, MAX 7000B, and MAX 7000S
devices.
Quartus II Web Edition and MAX+PLUS II BASELINE are
free versions of Altera design software that can be downloaded from the Altera web site at www.altera.com.
Contact Altera Today
The Altera MAX products are low-cost, high-performance
CPLD solutions for a wide variety of applications. To
learn more about MAX CPLDs, visit the Altera web site
today at www.altera.com.
®
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