Sorting Through the Low Voltage Logic Maze

Digital systems are running at faster speeds, operating at lower voltages, and they are becoming more highly integrated. Many functions can be integrated into FPGAs or ASICs, however, this does not mean that generic standard logic has gone away. Designers may choose to design with standard logic for the following reasons:

• The need for cheap, simple fixed functions with high speed and lower power consumption
• Space constraints requiring small packaging
• Bus driving capability
• Interfacing between mixed voltage systems
• Need for hot insertion capability
• Need for bus switching.

Today designers are challenged with the task of choosing among many low voltage logic families. This paper provides information on the various families, their key features and how to choose among them, based on the criteria listed above.