Computers and Computing

A Dictionary of Computing The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military Further reading

PLA

A Dictionary of Computing | 2004 | | Copyright

PLA Abbrev. for programmed logic array, or programmable logic array. A read-only device that is a generalized combinational circuit and may include a sequential circuit. By means of connections on a semiconductor device, the PLA usually provides a “programmable” sum of products function that feeds an output register, and sometimes an internal register. When the internal register is used to provide part of the input variables, the PLA is a sequential circuit; otherwise it is a combinational circuit.

The product terms in the function can be thought of as representing values that are to be acted upon when they occur; thus the PLA is a form of fixed associative memory or a specialized table lookup device adapted to the situation when the truth table has sparse entries.

Since the PLA is made specific only by the interconnections, it represents a general-purpose building block that requires changes in only one or two steps of the production process to provide different functionality. PLAs can be programmed at the time of manufacture; alternatively they may be programmed by the user, and are then called field-programmable. See also programmable device.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

JOHN DAINTITH. "PLA." A Dictionary of Computing. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 29 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

JOHN DAINTITH. "PLA." A Dictionary of Computing. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 29, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O11-PLA.html

JOHN DAINTITH. "PLA." A Dictionary of Computing. 2004. Retrieved May 29, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O11-PLA.html

Learn more about citation styles

PLA

The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military | 2001 | Copyright

PLA abbr. People's Liberation Army.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

"PLA." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. 29 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"PLA." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. (May 29, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O63-PLA.html

"PLA." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Retrieved May 29, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O63-PLA.html

Learn more about citation styles

Free newspaper and magazine articles

	PLA calls for coddling, but can pay off. Magazine article from: Plastics News; 10/6/2008
	PLA film: all corn. No fossil fuel. Magazine article from: Label & Narrow Web; 4/1/2006
	PLA film shrinks to fit: demonstrating excellent printability and... Magazine article from: Packaging Digest; 9/1/2006