PBX84 Xilinx Prototyping Board

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New: What do you get when you join a PIC and a Xilinx CPLD? [click for answer]

Have you ever wanted to design a complex logic circuit? Microcontrollers are great, but sometimes you need the speed of actual logic. Logic gates can do what microcontrollers can only simulate: true parallel processing.

Not very long ago, working with digital logic meant wiring up dozens (or hundreds) or 7400-series ICs. But today design engineers use programmable logic devices -- devices like the Xilinx 9500 (specifically, the XC9572 and XC95108) series CPLDs (sometimes known as FPGAs). These chips have a wealth of logic gates and flip flops (up to 2400 usable gates in this case) plus a giant programmable switch. You use software on your PC to design and test your logic design and the software figures out how to program the switch to connect your logic inside the gate. After your program the device, it is like a custom IC -- at least, until you decide to reprogram it.

The PBX84 kit makes it simple to experiment and build with the XC9500 complex programmable logic device (CPLD). With "the works" you get the following:

	A PBX84 board with three wire sockets for easy prototyping and one header that mates with a standard solderless breadboard.
	A XCP1 JTAG programmer board that lets you program the chip from your PC's printer port.
	A Xilinx XC9572 which contains 72 flip flops and 1600 usable logic gates. (The board will also accept an XC95108 that has 108 flip flops and 2400 logic gates.)

Key Benefits

	Easily connects to solderless breadboard
	Perfect to use in a development environment
	CPLD in socket for easy removal/replacement
	Removable JTAG interface

Key Links

Tutorials

You'll need a 5V power supply (like our PS-I), a breadboard, and a standard male/female 25 pin cable for your PC. You'll also need free software you can download from Xilinx.

Please note that this is a kit and does require soldering and basic electronic tools. This allows you to customize the board to fit your needs. All the parts are through hole, and the solder masked board is very easy to assemble.

Don't know how to use programmable logic? No problem. Our free online tutorials will help you get started fast. Also check out our Project of the Month.

The PBX-84 in action (shown with optional JTAG programmer, PLD IC, a third-party breadboard, and other user-supplied components on breadboard).

BONUS: The XCP1 JTAG adapter can program many Atmel AVR microprocessors. Find out how!

Prefer Altera or Atmel? Check out the ABX84.

Get it Now!

The PBX-84 kits are currently out of stock

PBX-84 board kit (all parts; no PLD included) $49.95

PBX-84 board + XCP1 JTAG adapter (no PLD included) $69.50 (currently out of stock)

The works! PBX-84, XCP1, and a Xilinx XC9572 PLD) $79.50 (currently out of stock)

XCP1 JTAG adapter kit $24.95 (you only need one of these; currently out of stock).

PBX-84 bare board and manual only $24.95

XC9572-15PC84C CPLD $12.00

Extra 20 pin socket $5.00 (only required if you want to build a version without breadboard connector)