SAN JOSE, Calif., December 20, 2000—Xilinx (NASDAQ: XLNX), the world leader in programmable logic, announces Forge, a new design technology for creating efficient FPGA implementations. Complex design modules and algorithms can now be created in high-level software descriptions and optimally targeted for large scale FPGAs. High-level language software designs can now be optimized for programmable logic providing substantial time to market advantages over traditional design methodologies. Xilinx acquired LavaLogic and the Forge compiler in July 2000 and is now making the technology available to qualified applicants via their Leading Edge Access Program (LEAP).

"The Forge technology improves design productivity, portability and reuse," stated Rich Sevcik, senior vice president and general manager of IP, Services and Software at Xilinx. "Hardware, software and embedded systems developers can now realize easier and more efficient front-end FPGA design."

Implementing IP becomes critical to system performance

The Xilinx® Forge compiler technology provides engineers the capability to explore the implementation of their applications without being restricted prior to detailed partitioning and hardware specific RTL descriptions. Via a high-level language description, designers can migrate their IP between hardware and software domains to decide what is best for their application before committing to an implementation.

The current Xilinx Forge research and development effort is intended to expand the development realm by enabling a broader range of high level programming languages for system design. Embedded developers and software engineering graduates are proficient in a variety of HLLs such as Java or C/C++, and a design gap is growing between multi-million gate devices and effective development tools. Enabling engineers to make system IP tradeoffs between software and silicon in broadly available and widely understood languages is imperative. 

Xilinx intends to make the Forge research and technology available to EDA and embedded C/C++ software partners, such as Wind River and Celoxica. The electronic system design environment of the future will be similar to the embedded SW IDEs that exist today with domain-specific engines that enable high quality-of-results (QOR). Xilinx is developing the engines and working with partners to enable the QOR necessary for Platform FPGAs that include embedded processors and other domains, such as DSP and hi-bandwidth I/O applications. 

Pricing and availability

The Forge software-to-hardware compiler will first be available for Java, with C/C++ support soon following from Xilinx and selected partners. Forge with Java is currently scheduled for release in June 2001, but qualifying applicants can gain free early access to the technology by means of the LEAP program announced today. The Forge technology is compatible with existing FPGA synthesis products from Exemplar, Synopsys and Synplicity, and is optimally targeted for the Xilinx Virtex® series and Spartan®-II FPGAs. Forge pricing begins at $5,000 per license. Applications for the Forge LEAP program will be available on the Xilinx web site. The application program will run through April 30 and the technology will be updated periodically during that period to provide improvements and enhancements to LEAP participants. 

About Xilinx

Xilinx is the leading supplier 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 fulfills more than half of the world demand 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, aerospace, defense, and consumer markets. For more information, visit the Xilinx web site at www.xilinx.com.