FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
 

XILINX USES SYNOPSYS FPGA COMPILER  TO AID DEVELOPMENT OF NEW XILINX VIRTEX SERIES   SAN JOSE, Calif., November 24, 1997--Synopsys, Inc. (NASDAQ:SNPS) the leader in high-level EDA design solutions, and Xilinx Inc. (NASDAQ:XLNX), the leader in programmable logic solutions, today announced a new generation of FPGA, the Virtex series, developed using Synopsys’ FPGA CompilerTM product. This new high-density FPGA architecture requires a high-level top-down ASIC design methodology featuring hierarchy control and integration of high-speed COREs. The basic building blocks of the Virtex architecture provide a smooth transition to high-density FPGAs. Synopsys was chosen as the development vehicle because of their expertise in ASIC design solutions. "Xilinx and Synopsys have significantly advanced productivity, ease-of-use, performance, and quality of high-level design for FPGAs," stated Aart de Geus, president and CEO of Synopsys. "As a system-level solution, Virtex series represents a greater opportunity to raise designer productivity by adapting and applying leading ASIC design methodologies to FPGA design." The Virtex architecture maximizes the optimization capabilities of the existing Synopsys synthesis tools for designers targeting high-density FPGAs. The basic building blocks allow for direct one-to-one mapping into the architecture. Direct mapping provides higher accuracy of pre-implementation timing estimations, faster synthesis and implementation runtimes, and improved HDL simulation speed. Newly created libraries and interfaces increase design performance and productivity via FPGA Compiler, taking advantage of synthesis optimization algorithms. The Xilinx Foundation Express tools, based on Synopsys’ FPGA ExpressTM, incorporate features developed with FPGA Compiler. Xilinx introduced the Foundation series in 1996 to provide a complete ready-to-use software solution that enables customers to quickly begin designing with programmable logic devices. The incorporation of Synopsys FPGA Express technology in the Xilinx Foundation series provides the advanced synthesis technology needed for high-density FPGA devices without compromising ease-of-use benefits. This support represents an extension of Xilinx Foundation series capabilities to one million gates, making it an ideal desktop solution at any density. "With the increasing complexity of programmable logic devices and design applications, software solutions must provide the technology support necessary for customer success," stated Wim Roelandts, Xilinx president and chief executive officer. "Support for Virtex is a significant milestone in our relationship with Synopsys in that it provides system-level design access to the broad spectrum of programmable logic designers who have chosen the value and time-to-market benefits that our Foundation series provides." Virtex synthesis support is available from both Synopsys and Xilinx, the latter as a result of an agreement (June 9, 1997) between Xilinx and Synopsys to fully integrate Synopsys FPGA Express technology into the Xilinx Foundation series. In a separate press announcement Synopsys announced today support for Virtex in Synopsys’ FPGA Express, FPGA Compiler, and Design CompilerTM products. These synthesis products are used in conjunction with Xilinx Alliance Series software. About Synopsys Synopsys, Inc. is a leading supplier of electronic design automation (EDA) solutions to the global electronics market. The company provides comprehensive design technologies to creators of advanced integrated circuits, electronic systems, and systems on a chip. Synopsys also provides consulting services and support to its customers to streamline the overall design process and accelerate time to market. Additional information about Synopsys is available at http://www.synopsys.com About Xilinx Founded in 1984, Xilinx is the world’s largest supplier of programmable logic solutions producing industry–leading device architectures and world class design software. Headquartered in San Jose, Calif., the company pioneered the market for field programmable gate array (FPGA) semiconductor devices that provide high integration and quick time-to-market for electronic equipment manufacturers in the computer, peripheral, telecommunications, networking, industrial control, instrumentation, consumer electronics, and high-reliability/military markets. For more information on Xilinx, Inc., access the World Wide Web site at www.xilinx.com. --30-- Xilinx is a registered trademark of Xilinx, Inc. Virtex, Foundation, and Alliance referenced above are trademarks of Xilinx, Inc. Other brand or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. #9743