San Jose, Calif., May 25, 1998—Furthering its leadership in standards-based HDL design methodologies for programmable logic, Xilinx, Inc., (NASDAQ:XLNX), today announced a joint marketing agreement that provides VHDL simulation capabilities from Aldec, Inc. to the growing number of Foundation Series users. By partnering with Aldec, Xilinx has extended the capabilities of its ready-to-use Foundation Series software in order to make it a complete VHDL design and verification solution. 

"Our emphasis in delivering the industry's most capable HDL-based design environment will ensure our customers’ success in adopting this new design methodology," said Rich Sevcik, Xilinx senior vice president of software and cores. "We chose to enter this joint marketing agreement because of Active-VHDL’s seamless integration into the Foundation Series environment, high-performance and software quality." 

Push Button Integration 

Active-VHDL's integration into the Foundation design environment benefits designers by enabling push-button VHDL simulation, reuse of simulation test vectors, and a common HDL editor. Active-VHDL simplifies the process of learning HDL verification methodology by simplifying the tool start-up sequence and including an automated test-bench generation capability. 

Much of Aldec's technology is already featured within the Foundation Series design environment, as part of an existing OEM relationship with Xilinx. "The ongoing technology contract between Xilinx and Aldec has cultivated close working relationships between the research and development organizations. The result is an integrated HDL design and simulation environment which work very well together," said David Rinehart, director of strategic marketing at Aldec, Inc. 

Price and Delivery 

Aldec's Active-VHDL software, with a free 30-day "Load-and-Go" evaluation license and a Xilinx Application Guide, is available today from Aldec. Xilinx Foundation Series customers will receive the free evaluation version of the Active-VHDL simulator with all new Foundation Series product shipments, beginning with the next version of the software later this summer. All in-warranty Foundation Series customers will automatically receive an update, which includes an evaluation copy of the simulator. Aldec will provide all sales and support for Active-VHDL products. 

More digital designers use Xilinx software than any other competitors’ tools. In addition, Xilinx software last quarter outsold its nearest competitor by more than 100 percent. 

Aldec, Inc., headquartered in Henderson, Nevada, produces a universal suite of Windows-based EDA tools that allow design engineers to implement their designs using several different design entry methods (schematic capture, state machine, VHDL, Verilog, or ABEL). Active-CAD and Active-VHDL incorporate patented simulation technology and several design entry tools that provide a complete design entry and simulation solution. Founded in 1984, the company continues to evolve in the Windows-based EDA market as the fastest growing, privately held EDA supplier in the world. Additional information about Aldec is available at www.aldec.com. 

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 reduce significantly 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. 

Xilinx is a registered trademark of Xilinx, Inc. Foundation is a trademark of Xilinx. Aldec and Active-VHDL, Active-CAD, and Active-VHDL are trademarks of Aldec, Inc. Other brands or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.  
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