platform/tool selection

[Altera_Forum]

I am absolutely brand new to FPGA. I am an old analogengineer with logic design experience. I did some coding a long time ago. Ourproducts are simple and stress the analog performance—very low noise amplifiersand timing circuitry that operates in the pico second region. Therefore my backgroundis heavy on analog and discrete logic. Some products are getting a little moredemanding for logic and control and an FPGA seems like a good fit for me. My demands are few—I have to deal with maybeten digital inputs and about as many outputs. Need gates and counters. I willstick with discrete logic for my high speed timing and I see the FPGA assomething that can handle UI, built-in test. Mid- level complex logic—but not as demandingfrom a speed/timing standpoint. Will need to be able to drive a 16 char 2 linedisplay and maybe a ten pad key board. Some non-volatile memory would be great. 

Most importantly—it needs to be something I can learn todesign easily. My long-suit is analog—it what enjoy—it is how I make myliving-it is what I am good at. I viewthe FPGA as ideally a means to implement some more complex products. But I haveno desire to become a FPGA Guru. Asimple part with great development tools to allow me to quickly get up andrunning fast. Part price is a minor issue- I design very expensive products andtime is more important than money as many of my products are custom.  Also the part must operate from--~-20 to 85C, we do not have BGA capability—like to stickto surface mount. 

[Altera_Forum]

I would say you can take MAX V CPLD (more here: http://www.altera.com/literature/hb/max-v/max5_handbook.pdf ) for your needs.  

The problem is that you will need to learn VHDL or Verilog. Drawing the schematic in Quartus is an option too, but I wouldn't go for it.