Ann Duft
Xilinx, Inc.
(408) 879-4726
ann.duft@xilinx.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BEST SELLING AUTOMATIC BOARD TEST SYSTEM NOW SUPPORTS
INDUSTRY'S MOST-COMPLETE ISP CPLD

SAN JOSE, Calif., February 28, 1997-Xilinx, Inc., (NASDAQ:XLNX), the leader in the programmable logic industry, announced today that the leading test equipment in the semiconductor industry, the HP 3070 Automatic Test Equipment (ATE), is now supported by Xilinx JTAG software. Users can now perform in-system programming as an integrated part of the manufacturing test process. Xilinx's JTAG programming software, vector translations tool, and an HP 3070 ATE equipped with an HP Control-Plus card can turn test equipment into Xilinx-device programmers--reducing valuable manufacturing costs and resources.

"Using the HP 3070 testers, our customers may now benefit from the full ISP capabilities of the XC9500 family to support "just-in-time" programming in manufacturing," said Evert Wolsheimer, vice president and general manager of the Xilinx CPLD Business Unit. "This reduces inventory costs and improves yields by streamlining flows and eliminating the need for multiple pre-programmed devices."

Enhanced JTAG

By offering the most complete in-system test, programming, and manufacturing capabilities in the industry, the XC9500 family sets a new standard in development and manufacturing support. Xilinx XC9500 family is the only CPLD family to incorporate support for both USERCODE and INTEST functions within the IEEE 1149.1 standard USERCODE allows user-specified in-system serialization of programming codes for pattern tracking and version control during manufacturing and field upgrades. The INTEST operation is useful during prototyping and systems integration, where newly programmed devices may be fully tested before connecting to the system. Integrated with the FastFLASH development software, this capability is essential in supporting rapid prototyping as well as field diagnostics and upgrades.

Other key IEEE 1149.1 instructions supported include IDCODE and HIZ, which allow device inventory control and simplified board testing. Together, the enhanced JTAG capabilities provide the best support for the development and manufacturing of the most sophisticated systems.

Customer can get the free "gen_hp" vector translation software tool and user documentation from Xilinx. The files are called: h3070_hp.tar.Z for the HP platform; h3070_pc.zip for the PC platform; and h3070_sn.tar.Z for the Sun platform. Files can be downloaded from the Xilinx web at http://www.xilinx.com/apps/epld.htm; the Xilinx FTP location at ftp.xilinx.com/pub/swhelp/cpld; or the Xilinx BBS at Software Help --> CPLD

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 electronics, and high-reliability/military markets. For more information on Xilinx, Inc., access the World Wide Web site at http://www.xilinx.com.

--30--

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.

#9710