TransWarp GS

What Are GALs

The Generic Array Logic (also known as GAL) device was an innovation of the PAL (Programmable Array Logic) and was invented by Lattice Semiconductor. The GAL was an improvement on the PAL, which itself was an improvement on standard Gate Locig ICs like the 74-series. A GAL can emulate many PALs and 74-series ICs in one device, saving cost, power, and PCB real estate. Its primary benefit, however, was that it was eraseable and re-programmable, making prototyping and design changes easier for engineers. AE used a set of 8 GALs on the TransWarp GS.

AE's GAL Markings

AE sometimes used the part number suffix "N" and other times they used "I". "N" labeled parts have a "-" separating them, whereas the early "I" labeled parts have a "-" for separation and later used ".". It is not clear why the differences in suffixes. However there does not seem to be a difference in the way the GALs are programed. This separation and suffix change was product wide and not limited to the TransWarp GS. The differences could have been from when Don Pote sold AE to a new owner in the early 1990's.

The earliest GALs have a "-I" suffix, and all labels are silk screen printed to the GALs. It appears most TransWarp GS boards AE date coded from early 1989 have GAL date codes from 1988 and/or 1989. The earliest production boards would have an "A" revision for GAL3. GAL3 revision "B" is a lot more common for early boards, and usually the GALs all have a 1989 date code on them.

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  Early Revision "A" GALs, Mostly 1988 Date Codes

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  More Typical GAL Assortment From Early TWGS

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  Early 1990 Datecode TWGS Board GAL Assortment With "-N" Labels

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  Mid 1990 Datecode TWGS Board GAL Assortment With Mix Of Labels