SAN JOSE, Calif., May 25, (May 10) 1999—Facilitating the creation of Xilinx Online field upgradable applications, Xilinx, Inc. (NASDAQ:XLNX) announced the availability of JBits, ChipScope and the Java application programming interface (API) for Boundary Scan tools. These tools, previously announced as part of the award-winning Internet Reconfigurable Logic (IRL) methodology from Xilinx, enable the network delivery of design updates to programmable logic devices already deployed in the field. Xilinx also announced the addition of Memec Design Systems and Cadence Design Systems, along with previously announced Siemens, to its array of design support providers. Xilinx Online applications will be demonstrated at the Design Automation Conference in June in Xilinx booth #2532. 

"As committed in our October announcement, we are now delivering the tools that make field upgradability via the Internet a reality," said Rich Sevcik, senior vice president software, cores and support. "Our customers can begin taking advantage of the tremendous time-to-market benefits and the flexibility of field upgradability today by using our tools and the design services available from many of our business partners." 

"The advent of commercially available online reprogrammability for FPGAs expands the range of reconfigurable applications," said Jim Douglas, vice president and general manager of Cadence Embedded Systems Design Group. "Cadence's expertise in embedded systems design enables customers to rapidly capitalize on this expanding market. In fact, our Java expertise was used in the development of critical functionality for the Xilinx Online tools." 

"As usual, Xilinx is leading the way with tools, examples, and technology into this exciting and lucrative new marketplace—field upgradable applications through a network," said Timothy Smith, managing director at Memec Design Systems. "We have seen a huge interest among our customers for these Xilinx Online enabling tools." 

Cadence offers customers a broad line of design services, including Java-enabled embedded systems while Memec Design Services and Siemens Information Technology for Industrial Plants are consultant companies that help customers design Xilinx Online applications. For additional information, contact Diana Anderson at Cadence at 408-894-3478 or email to diana@cadence.com or call the help line at 1-800-746-6223. For Memec contact Timothy Smith by phone at 602-491-4311 or email: info@memecdesign.com. For Siemens, contact Miguel Hernandez by phone at 49-89-636-47580 or email: miguel.hernandez@mchr2.siemens.de. 

The JBits bitstream programming API is available through third parties: Annapolis Microsystems, Mirotech, and Virtual Computer Corporation. The JBits API is a Java-based tool set that allows designers to write information directly to a Xilinx FPGA to carry out whatever customer logic operations were designed for it. The JBits API permits the FPGA bitstream to be modified quickly, allowing for fast reconfiguration of the FPGA. With Virtex FPGAs, the JBits API can partially or fully reconfigure the internal logic of the device. 

Also available is the ChipScope tool, a JBits-based tool that verifies programmable logic over a network; it's available directly from Xilinx. This portable, interactive debugging tool allows designers to examine the operation of Xilinx FPGA circuits; it is designed to show data flow and to display the internal states of all FPGAs in the system. The tool simplifies the tedious design verification required for system-on-a-chip designs. 

Xilinx Online field upgradable solutions will be targeted at emerging network appliances, such as multi-use set top boxes, mobile network devices, security systems and process controllers, and in network equipment, such as ATM, cellular base stations, and satellite communications systems. The hardware for these Virtex-based products can be upgraded over the Internet to add new features or capabilities after product deployment. 

Xilinx is the leading innovator of complete programmable logic solutions, including advanced integrated circuits, software design tools, predefined system functions delivered as cores, and unparalleled field engineering support. Founded in 1984 and headquartered in San Jose, Calif., Xilinx invented the field programmable gate array (FPGA) and commands more than half of the world market for these devices today. Xilinx solutions enable customers to significantly reduce the time required to develop products for the computer, peripheral, telecommunications, networking, industrial control, instrumentation, high-reliability/military, and consumer markets. For more information, visit the Xilinx web site at www.xilinx.com. 
 

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