SAN JOSE, Calif., May 25, 1998—Xilinx, Inc., (NASDAQ:XLNX) and Model Technology, Inc. today announced a strategic agreement aimed at accelerating the adoption of hardware description language (HDL)-based  design flows among programmable logic users. Working closely together, the companies have developed a program to significantly improve the future of programmable logic design using HDLs. The agreement includes delivering evaluation versions of Model Technology’s ModelSim HDL simulator to all Xilinx Foundation Series and Alliance Series customers. Under the terms of the agreement, Xilinx and Model Technology have also agreed to a roadmap of cooperative research and development efforts to further improve the use of HDLs in programmable logic design and simulation. 

"HDL-based design flows accelerate a design's time to market," said Rich Sevcik, Xilinx senior vice president of software and cores. "Our emphasis on delivering the best-in-class HDL tools like ModelSim within the Foundation Series product will help all our customers take advantage of these powerful design flows." 

HDL simulation for programmable logic designers 

"Traditionally, only ASIC designers have had access to top-quality HDL tools with seamlessly mixed VHDL and Verilog HDLs," said Kevin Curtis, general manager of Model Technology. "As Xilinx delivers intuitive mixed-level, mixed-language design tools, more designers will begin using HDLs for programmable logic design. ModelSim's integration into the Foundation Series software will assist designers in becoming proficient in HDLs and ultimately assist them in designing higher density devices, faster." 

Xilinx Foundation Series 

Through this agreement, Xilinx has extended the capabilities of its Foundation Series software to include all essential elements for VHDL and Verilog HDL design and verification. The Foundation Series software is designed to simplify the transition from schematic to HDL design methodologies and to meet higher-density design challenges, while maintaining ease-of-use and time-to-market benefits. The robust mixed-level design capabilities of the software accelerate the HDL learning curve while the FPGA Express technology from Synopsys and the ModelSim simulator from Model Technology establish the Foundation Series software as a complete, high-density, high-performance design solution. 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. 

Xilinx Alliance Series 

The ModelSim simulator will also be included in the next release of Alliance Series software shipping this summer. HDL simulators are designed to help users reduce their design cycle, thus gaining valuable months of early market advantage. In this next release, Xilinx has enhanced the quality of results in its Alliance EDA HDL simulation partners’ offering and is shipping two new HDL design guides focused on HDL simulation. The inclusion of Model Technology’s evaluation CD is the first in a series of agreements for delivering HDL verification tools within the Xilinx Alliance Series package. 

Xilinx also uses Model Technology's ModelSim simulator in the development and test of Xilinx cores. "ModelSim is a key component of our IP development process, providing a powerful, flexible, and easy-to-use simulation environment," said Michael Frazier, Xilinx core solutions engineering manager. "One of the principle reasons we chose ModelSim for our core development was that it provides a common development environment for both VHDL and Verilog. Our engineers no longer have to hop between tools and neither do our customers using the ModelSim simulator." 

Price and Delivery 

A 30-day evaluation copy of Model Technology's ModelSim simulator is available today, from the Model Technology's web site at www.model.com. Xilinx customers will receive a free evaluation copy of the ModelSim simulator in the next release of the Xilinx Foundation Series and Alliance Series software, due later this summer. Model Technology will provide all sales and support for ModelSim products. 

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. 

Model Technology Incorporated is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mentor Graphics Corporation and is the leading supplier of high-performance, easy-to-use, cost-effective HDL simulation tools for workstations and PCs. With more than 20,000 licensed units sold worldwide, ModelSim is the most popular HDL simulator in the industry. Model Technology is headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon, with 28 sales and distribution offices in the United States, Europe, Japan, and the Pacific Rim. For information on the nearest Model Technology representative or Model Technology products, call 503-641-1340, email sales@model.com, or visit www.model.com.