.25 micron chips from Xilinx using DPMI's masks at UMC's fab (who supplied the steppers?)................
SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 27, 1997--Leading the
logic industry into the most advanced semiconductor manufacturing
processes, Xilinx, Inc., (NASDAQ:XLNX) in partnership with United
Microelectronics Corporation (UMC) announced the first FPGA product
built with 0.25-micron process technology.
This leading-edge technology is the basis of a new Xilinx FPGA
family whose initial device incorporates 25 million transistors in a
single piece of silicon--more than three times that of today's
highest performance microprocessors, such as the Intel Pentium II
with 7.5 million transistors. UMC and Xilinx are jointly developing
0.25-micron FPGA technology with expected volume production in
January 1998.
"As the first dedicated foundry to market with 0.25-micron
technology, we lead the industry in this next generation of
processing. The UMC 0.25 micron CMOS process with dual-gate oxide
and five layer metal is a very demanding and rugged technology that
will enable end products with better integrity, yields, quality, and
performance," stated Don Brooks, UMC board member. "Furthermore,
UMC offers Xilinx and other customers additional advanced technology,
including low-voltage and mixed signal capability. With our progress
in 0.18 micron technology, we will continue our leadership in process
introductions."
"Our close partnerships with industry-leading manufacturing
partners has directly aided our delivery of advanced processes,"
said Wim Roelandts, Xilinx president and chief executive officer.
"Furthermore, it's more than just having access to industry-leading
technology in order to deliver on this process. Our unique methods
for rapid deployment of new architectures on new processes allows us
to bring better products to market faster and, in turn, bolster the
success of our customers."
Made possible through partnerships
For its 0.25-micron product development, Xilinx partners with
suppliers such as Cadence Inc., San Jose; DuPont Photomasks Inc.,
Round Rock, Texas; and United Microelectronics Corp., Taiwan.
"With 25 million transistors on an FPGA, Xilinx is providing a
dramatic increase in capability for its customers," said Bill
Portelli, vice president and general manager, Cadence Custom IC
Business Unit. "Xilinx turned to Vampire, Cadence's state-of-the-art
hierarchical physical verification tool, in order to verify the
correctness of the world's most complex FPGA device. First pass
working silicon is a testament to excellent IC design, a great tool,
and impressive teamwork between Xilinx and Cadence on this project."
Xilinx partner, DuPont Photomasks, Inc. (NASDAQ:DPMI), more commonly
referred to as DPI, met the challenge of developing a set of
photomasks that would unite the Xilinx design specifications with
UMC's manufacturing process technology. The extraordinary density of
the larger Xilinx FPGA die required DPI's extensive technical
expertise to meet the demanding 0.25-micron design and manufacturing
specifications. DPI also drew on the strengths of its global network
to manufacture the photomasks, with data collection and coordination
occurring in Santa Clara, Calif., and actual production taking place
in its Ichon, Korea, facility.
Xilinx also announced today the availability of the industry's
first FPGA products based on 0.25-micron process, the XC4000XV FPGA
family. (Xilinx Announces Industry's First Half-Million-Gate FPGA
Family). Samples of the first product in this new family, the
XC40125XV -- the industry's largest FPGA device -- are available now.
Production shipments will begin in January 1998.
About UMC
Based in Hsin-Chu City, Taiwan, UMC is Taiwan's first private
sector manufacturer of integrated circuits. UMC operates two wafer
fabs in the Science-Based Industrial Park in Hsin-Chu City. UMC is
also involved in three joint ventures including United Semiconductor
Corp. (USC), United Integrated Circuits Corp (UICC) and United
Silicon Inc. (USIC).
About Xilinx
Founded in 1984, Xilinx is the world's largest supplier of
programmable logic solutions producing industry-leading device
architectures and world class design software. Headquartered in San
Jose, Calif., the company pioneered the market for field programmable
gate array (FPGA) semiconductor devices that provide high integration
and quick time-to market for electronic equipment manufacturers in
the computer, peripheral, telecommunications, networking, industrial
control, instrumentation, consumer, and high reliability/military
markets. For more information on Xilinx, access the World Wide Web
site at www.xilinx.com .
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Note to Editors: Xilinx is a registered trademark of Xilinx, Inc.
All XC-prefix products referenced above are trademarks of Xilinx,
Inc. Other brand or product names are trademarks or registered
trademarks of their respective owners.
CONTACT:
Xilinx Inc.
Ann Duft, 408/879-4726
publicrelations@xilinx.com
or
Oak Ridge Public Relations (for Xilinx)
Frankie Borison, 408/253-5042
frankie@oakridge.com
or
Aries Semiconductor
Public Relations Group (for UMC)
Kristen Parsley, 972/239-5119 |
