Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for the development, testing and verification of a logic design of a programmable logic device in a real-time user environment to simplify the development of the programmable logic device and associated systems. The apparatus comprises an emulation programmable logic device based on the same family and package of the target programmable logic device. The adapter further comprises a plurality of individually programmable switches for selectively coupling the emulation device to the target device or to a logic device substituting for the target device. The apparatus further comprises a controller, which configures the switches based on control signals received from a host computer system, such that a stimulus applied to the input pins of the target or substitute device are also applied concurrently to the corresponding input pins of the emulation device.