Engineering and R & D at Xilinx Ireland

Xilinx has redefined the future of programmable logic, giving you the power to create designs that were never possible before. Our latest technology includes a broad and deep selection of 2.5V, 3.3V, and 5V programmable logic families that feature advanced new architectures, densities up to 1,000,000 system gates, and system performance beyond 200 MHz. These new devices, coupled with our advanced development software and intellectual property, deliver the most complete solutions ever, with unprecedented features and capabilities.

Our current product line is exceptional because it includes the most advanced programmable logic technology ever produced, and many of these devices now compete with ASICs in cost sensitive applications. Now, more than ever before, FPGAs are the easiest, quickest, most reliable way to design, develop, and manufacture your next-generation, high volume products.

Since we invented the Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) 15 years ago, we have consistently produced the most advanced device technologies and development tools, allowing each new generation of your systems to run faster, use less power, and reach the market sooner than before. Our current products continue that tradition, and set new performance standards.

Within our R & D function in Xilinx Ireland we have 4 engineering departments:

IC Design
Software Development
Systems Verification
Product Test Engineering

IC Design
Integrated Circuit Design Engineers develop CMOS FPGAs based on advanced silicon process technology. This includes IC circuit and logic design and simulation, layout and device debug and characterisation. Xilinx IP developers generate functional cores to allow customers to quickly complete their designs.

Xilinx has created the role of Global Centre of Expertise for Mixed Signal Design for its Dublin IC Design Team. We have recently appointed John Jennings as Manager to this group. With increasing levels of electronic systems, Xilinx will meet the demands for real world interfaces with innovative architectures designed by this team.

Software Development
Software and IP Development forms a core strategic element of the Company's business. Software Engineers carry out development of the CAE/CAD tools used to design the complex chips of the future. These tools allow our customers to integrate our silicon components into the precise system configurations which they require. The job of software development is to define, develop, document and test new software products that complement current Xilinx component offerings. This should serve to improve Xilinx’ strategic positioning in the marketplace. Currently our focus in Ireland is to developmodules for our software products that support our FPGA ICs. These software products then are used by our end users - Electronic Design Engineers.

Systems Verification
Xilinx software incorporates powerful tools including support for HDL/synthesis design methodologies and interfaces to all leading third-party electronic design environments. The Systems Verification engineering group are responsible for ensuring that all components of new versions of Xilinx software function correctly prior to customer release. This is accomplished through a variety of tasks and a primary focus is on using our software tools as our end users would. Systems Verification engineers develop digital designs targeted at Xilinx FPGA devices, ensure that new device architectures are fully supported by new software, automate test design execution and analysis, track issues and resolve in conjunction with the various software development and marketing groups and participate in the design and specification of new product features.

Product Test Engineering
The Product Engineering group is involved in the entire life of the product. For New Products the Product Engineering Group is responsible for developing Test patterns & Characterisation routines to verify Product performance & functionality. At introduction to production the focus is on acheiving high yielding, stable product at Wafer fabrication & at Final Test. Having achieved this, the next phase is production ramp. Here the effort turns towards Cost Reduction through, for example, streamlining Test programs, multi-site testing, process optimization. During the product life cycle there will always be strong focus on Customer issues, dealing with items such as returns analysis & Customer Product queries as they arise.

Links to some of our products: