Along with digital programmable logic devices-- FPGAs, CPLDs, and GALs, Lattice also provides mixed-signal programmable devices. These products were originally know as ispPAC, short for "Programmable Analog Circuits". Over the years, Lattice's programmable analog devices have grown into mixed-signal devices, combining digital and analog, on the same chip.
The way these Lattice programmable mixed-signal devices are configured is by using a free Lattice software tool called PAC-Designer. A code snippet for PAC-Designer is shown on the right.
Through simulation utilities and direct programming of evaluation boards, PAC-Designer provides multiple ways to verify designs before use. Just like with FPGA software, algorithmic modifications that would require changing of components or re-spinning circuit boards if done traditionally, can be accomplished in PAC-Designer simply by pointing, clicking, and downloading.
The latest programmable mixed-signal devices from Lattice are called Power Manager II, which are principally used for-- you guessed it-- programmable power management. Power Manager II devices can simplify the task of developing and optimizing power management algorithms because the sequencing behavior itself, as well as all supply ramp rates, voltage monitoring thresholds, and timing can be changed quickly and easily through software.
Power Manager II devices bring into a single package, a collection of features that might require several ICs and dozens of discrete passive components if they were implemented using more traditional means.
Shyam Chandra from Lattice is holding a webcast on using the Power Manager II devices: "Digital power management of analog supplies"
This webcast will show how a centralized programmable power management IC could be used to implement most of the Digital Power Management features, while using analog DC-DC converters and LDOs.