Its strength lies in algorithm and software design, intelligent systems, programmable logic and embedded systems, mobile computing, etc.
PLDs are being sold now that contain a microprocessor with a fixed function (the so-called core) surrounded by programmable logic.
In the early days of programmable logic, every PLD manufacturer also produced a specialized device programmer for its family of logic devices.
Emulation builds a version of system using programmable logic.
Game Blender, a sub-project, offers interactivity features such as collision detection, dynamics engine, and programmable logic.
Until the advent of programmable logic, discrete bipolar logic was used to prototype and emulate microarchitectures under development.
As demand for programmable logic continued to grow, so did Xilinx's revenues and profits.
However programmable logic was hard-wired between logic gates.
The company said sales of communications, programmable logic and memory products remained strong, but that it would ship fewer 486 products than it expected.
In more recent years, small products called PLRs (programmable logic relays), and also by similar names, have become more common and accepted.