Xilinx and Model Technology have teamed together to deliver the ModelSim Xilinx Edition (XE) VHDL / Verilog Simulator to Xilinx customers. ModelSim XE is a complete HDL simulation environment that has been optimized for programmable logic design, enabling designers to verify source code and functional and timing models of their design using a common "self-checking" testbench. 

ModelSim XE simulation is available from Xilinx in two product configurations: the ModelSim XE Starter which is available for free to all registered, in-warranty Xilinx customers, and ModelSim XE which Xilinx sells as a Development System Option for $995.00 under a Xilinx Time-Based License model. For customers who wish to
evaluate the performance and capacity of ModelSim XE, ModelSim XE Evaluation is also available directly from the MXE CD. 

Browse through the information below to learn more about the benefits of HDL verification, the ModelSim family of products, and how you can become a more productive designer.

Today, more and more Programmable Logic Designers are creating their designs using Hardware Description Languages (HDL). And why not?  With advancements in synthesis and optimization for programmable logic, HDL design flows not only improve a designer's productivity, they also consistently deliver high-performance designs.

Designers who use an HDL simulator in their HDL development methodology are far more productive because they can discover problems earlier in the design process.  Using a common testbench throughout the design creation, synthesis, and place-and-route process, designers can more quickly generate highly verified designs, simplifying the test and integration task.

The benefit of a full HDL design flow that includes HDL simulation is simple: you get your designs fully debugged and working in the system, faster.  How?

• HDL simulation allows you to debug your design at the source code level, pinpointing design problems directly to the line of code responsible for the failure. Powerful HDL simulator debugging features make you more efficient. For example, you can stop the simulation whenever a variable changes, or step through a piece of code line by line, or trace a signal flow through a design.

 
• HDL simulation enables you to use reusable HDL testbenches throughout the verification process. You can write tests in VHDL or Verilog which apply stimulus to your design and check for the correct response. The same “self-checking testbenches” can be used before synthesis, after synthesis, and after place-and-route. As a way to improve design quality, it is easier to let the testbench inspect the design for failures.

 
• HDL simulation allows you to explore alternatives and determine design tradeoffs quickly. You can create designs with thousands of logic gates with just a few small modules of high level VHDL or Verilog code. And, you can make major changes to the design quickly and simulate those changes without running any synthesis or implementation tools.

To make your investment in ModelSim XE risk free, Xilinx is including a $1,000 voucher from MTI with the purchase of your ModelSim XE product. This voucher is good towards the purchase of any ModelSim PE or ModelSim SE product from Model Technology. With the purchase of a product upgrade, you retain the right to use ModelSim XE through the remainder of the term of your Time Based License.  Coupling your purchase of a ModelSim XE with an MTI upgrade means that your license to use ModelSim XE is free! 

• Who will receive a copy of the ModelSim XE CD?

The MXE CD is shipped as part of all Xilinx v2.1i Alliance and Foundation Series programmable logic development systems. To purchase your copy of Xilinx Alliance Series or Xilinx Foundation Series tools, contact your local Xilinx Sales representative, or visit the Xilinx Silicon Xpresso Cafe. If you feel you are entitled
to a copy of the MXE CD, and have not received one, please contact your Xilinx Customer Service representative. 

The ModelSim XE is exclusively distributed, sold, and supported by Xilinx and its distributors. 
 

• What is included on the ModelSim XE CD?

The ModelSim XE CD is the ModelSim XE Starter, ModelSim XE, and evaluation versions of ModelSim XE, PE, EE, and SE. A license for the ModelSim XE Starter is available for free to all registered, in warranty users.  Licenses for the ModelSim XE product are sold by Xilinx as a development system option. 

Each of the ModelSim tools includes a complete HDL simulation and debugging environment providing 100% VHDL and Verilog language coverage, a source code viewer/editor, waveform viewer, design structure browser, list window, and a host of other features designed to enhance productivity. The following table illustrates the features available from various ModelSim products.
 

Features		ModelSim Configuration
		XE-Starter		XE*		PE		SE/EE
Available from		Xilinx		Xilinx		MTI		MTI
100% compliant VHDL or Verilog simulation
Complete HDL debugging environment
Windows 95, 98, and NT Support
Unix Support
Appropriate for Device Densities in the range of		Less than 500 lines of HDL code		Xilinx 9500, Spartan, low-density 4000X, and Virtex FPGAs up to approximately 60,000 gates		High Density CPLD and FPGA designs		All designs, including extremely large FPGAs
Typical simulation times		10 Min.		10 Min.		2 Min.		30 Sec.
Supports mixed VHDL/Verilog designs
Language-neutral licensing

• ModelSim XE Starter - Enables designers who are new to HDL design to experiment with creating small HDL designs and test benches. Fully featured, the ModelSim XE Starter version helps ease the transition to high-level FPGA design methodologies. This product is most valuable for designers who have never investigated the benefits of VHDL or Verilog simulation. It is available in both VHDL and Verilog versions. ModelSim XE Starter has been optimized to use with v2.1i and later design flows.

 
• ModelSim XE - Provides a powerful step into the world of HDL simulation with capacity and performance designed for the verification of the Xilinx XC9500 CPLD and Spartan FPGA series of programmable logic devices as well as lower-density XC4000 and Virtex series FPGAs.  ModelSim XE supports behavioral, RTL, and gate-level simulation of Xilinx cell libraries. This product is most valuable for designers who understand the benefits of VHDL or Verilog simulation and are now looking for a cost effective solution for low density programmable logic design. It is available in both VHDL and Verilog versions.  ModelSim XE has been optimized to use with v2.1i and later design flows.

• ModelSim XE Evaluation - Supports the same set of MXE devices and offers the full performance capabilities of the MXE product. A 30 day trial license allows you to evaluate the MXE product so that you may determine if it meets your performance criteria before making an investment. 

 
• ModelSim PE (Personal Edition) - Delivers the performance required for  designing High-Density Programmable Logic devices. ModelSim PE is sold and supported exclusively by Model Technology and its distributors; however, Xilinx includes an evaluation version of this product with every shipment of the ModelSim Xilinx Edition Simulation CD. ModelSim PE is the product of choice for designers who already understand the benefits of VHDL or Verilog simulation and are investing in a HDL development environment that supports the design of Xilinx higher density programmable logic devices. ModelSim PE supports VHDL, Verilog, and mixed language design verification. A separate license is required to enable the support of each Hardware Description Language.

 
• ModelSim EE/SE (Elite Edition/Special Edition) - Includes all of the capabilities of the ModelSim PE product plus a variety of advanced design verification features that further improve simulation performance, frequently resulting in even faster time to market. The list of features includes advanced analysis algorithms (like Bus Contention and float checking), Accelerated VITAL and Verilog primitives, RTL acceleration, SmartModel Support, and an ability to run your simulation on a UNIX based workstation. More information on the ModelSim PE, EE, and SE products is available from the Model Technology Product web site at http://www.model.com/pdf/prodcomp.pdf.

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• Model Technology Sales