Create application‑specific state behavior using hardware configuration rather than firmware execution.
React quickly to input events with <1 µs state‑to‑state transition time.
Consume <1 µA standby current when not actively transitioning between states.
Ideal for systems that wait long periods with little activity, then react immediately to inputs.
Design and visualize state diagrams using the ASM Editor in GreenPAK Designer tools.
Route transition inputs and state outputs to pins or internal GreenPAK resources.
The ASM macrocell allows you to define the states in your design, specify which “next states” are allowed from each state, and create a clear state diagram that reflects application behavior. Because state behavior is defined by configured transition conditions, the design responds to events deterministically based on configured logic rather than a firmware polling loop.
For each state transition, designers define the signals that cause the transition to occur. Transition inputs can originate from I/O pins or from internal GreenPAK resources, enabling the state machine to react directly to real system events such as edges, thresholds, or logic conditions.
ASM outputs can be routed to other GreenPAK resources or out to I/O pins, allowing each state to drive downstream behavior such as enables, gating, timing inputs, indicators, or supervisory control signals. Output values can be defined per state using the ASM output configuration (output RAM array.
Because the ASM macrocell does not require a clock input, it can remain in an ultra‑low power standby state when no transitions are occurring, then respond quickly when a transition condition is met. This is especially useful in event‑driven systems that wait long periods with little activity but must react immediately when an input change.
The ASM macrocell is supported in an ASM Editor window in GreenPAK Designer, enabling point‑and‑click creation and editing of state diagrams. The editor supports selecting states, editing state names, adding transitions, arranging the diagram for clarity, and setting output values for each state.
