SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 24, 1997--Synopsys, Inc.
(NASDAQ:SNPS) the leader in high-level EDA design solutions, and
Xilinx Inc. (NASDAQ:XLNX), the leader in programmable logic
solutions, today announced a new generation of FPGA, the Virtex
series, developed using Synopsys' FPGA Compiler(TM) product.
This new high-density FPGA architecture requires a high-level
top-down ASIC design methodology featuring hierarchy control and
integration of high-speed COREs. The basic building blocks of the
Virtex architecture provide a smooth transition to high-density
FPGAs. Synopsys was chosen as the development vehicle because of
their expertise in ASIC design solutions.
"Xilinx and Synopsys have significantly advanced productivity,
ease-of-use, performance, and quality of high-level design for
FPGAs," stated Aart de Geus, president and CEO of Synopsys. "As a
system-level solution, Virtex series represents a greater opportunity
to raise designer productivity by adapting and applying leading ASIC
design methodologies to FPGA design."
The Virtex architecture maximizes the optimization capabilities
of the existing Synopsys synthesis tools for designers targeting
high-density FPGAs. The basic building blocks allow for direct
one-to-one mapping into the architecture. Direct mapping provides
higher accuracy of pre-implementation timing estimations, faster
synthesis and implementation runtimes, and improved HDL simulation
speed. Newly created libraries and interfaces increase design
performance and productivity via FPGA Compiler, taking advantage of
synthesis optimization algorithms.
The Xilinx Foundation Express tools, based on Synopsys' FPGA
Express(TM), incorporate features developed with FPGA Compiler.
Xilinx introduced the Foundation series in 1996 to provide a complete
ready-to-use software solution that enables customers to quickly
begin designing with programmable logic devices.
The incorporation of Synopsys FPGA Express technology in the
Xilinx Foundation series provides the advanced synthesis technology
needed for high-density FPGA devices without compromising ease-of-use
benefits. This support represents an extension of Xilinx Foundation
series capabilities to one million gates, making it an ideal desktop
solution at any density.
"With the increasing complexity of programmable logic devices and
design applications, software solutions must provide the technology
support necessary for customer success," stated Wim Roelandts, Xilinx
president and chief executive officer. "Support for Virtex is a
significant milestone in our relationship with Synopsys in that it
provides system-level design access to the broad spectrum of
programmable logic designers who have chosen the value and
time-to-market benefits that our Foundation series provides."
Virtex synthesis support is available from both Synopsys and
Xilinx, the latter as a result of an agreement (June 9, 1997) between
Xilinx and Synopsys to fully integrate Synopsys FPGA Express
technology into the Xilinx Foundation series. In a separate press
announcement Synopsys announced today support for Virtex in Synopsys'
FPGA Express, FPGA Compiler, and Design Compiler(TM) products. These
synthesis products are used in conjunction with Xilinx Alliance
Series software. |
