SAN JOSE, Calif., October 12, 1998—Xilinx, Inc., (NASDAQ:XLNX), today announced the new release of its Foundation Series and Alliance Series software, version 1.5i, as the second phase of its new Silicon Xpresso initiative for internet-based design. This new software release has a direct connection to the new Xilinx support website, at support.xilinx.com, built into the graphical user interface. 

Complementing the resource rich programmable logic website, WebLINX, this new support site helps designers through a comprehensive knowledge database of thousands of solutions along with design tips, pre-tested IP, HTML-based documentation, online registration, and automatic notification of new information based on registered agents. 

"Xilinx is helping lead the programmable logic marketplace into a new age of interactive design over the Web," said Marc Andreessen, executive vice president, products, at Netscape Communications Corporation. "The new browser friendly design tools will not only make the design process faster and easier, but will also open broad new markets for programmable logic." 

Today's programmable logic designers must have up-to-date technical information at their fingertips while using their design tools. This direct connection to the website provides immediate access to a searchable knowledge base for the databook, application notes, online documentation, and technical updates. In addition, the support site provides access to the Xilinx CoreLINX site, which contains the latest reusable and parameterizable cores. These cores plug into the Java-based CORE Generator system that is included in the 1.5i release. 

"We know that already thousands of our customers turn to our website as a technical information resource on a daily basis," said Rich Sevcik, Xilinx senior vice president software, cores, and support solutions. "With the 1.5i release, the design environment is now web-interactive. Our customers can get that interactive technical information and IP immediately and easily." 

The new version of the Foundation Series software,  version 1.5, containing this direct connection is available now. The Alliance Series software will contain this connection in a separate release v1.5i in November. Customers currently under maintenance warranties will automatically receive it. The new website is accessible now; the online support documentation will be available by November. 

Last month Xilinx introduced the Silicon Xpresso initiative with two new products for interactive design and boundary-scan programming: the WebFitter design tool and the Java API for boundary-scan. Today's announcement marks the second phase of the Silicon Xpresso initiative announcing improvements to its already feature rich software and extensive web offerings. Xilinx is dedicated to the Silicon Xpresso initiative for design and deployment of programmable logic. 

Future Silicon Xpresso announcements will include internet reconfigurable logic and the ability to create network appliances. 

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.