|
For Release: March 17, 1999
Altera and PLD Applications Begin Shipping 64-Bit, 66 MHz PCI Cores for Programmable Logic Devices
- Industry's First Parameterized 64-bit, 66 MHz PCI Cores Available Now
- Targeted for Altera FLEX 10KE, First 66 MHz PCI-Compliant PLD Family
San Jose, Calif., March 17, 1999 -- Altera Corporation (Nasdaq: ALTR) today announced the immediate availability of two sets of 64-bit, 66 MHz PCI cores for use with Altera FLEX® 10KE programmable logic devices (PLDs). The new cores allow designers to begin developing new, high-performance products based on the 64-bit, 66 MHz PCI specification. With the immediate availability of these new cores, Altera has demonstrated its leadership in providing 64-bit, 66 MHz PCI compliant solutions.
Two sets of 64-bit, 66 MHz cores are now available. The first is Altera's own 64-bit,
66 MHz PCI Master/Target MegaCore™ function. Fully compliant with the PCI Rev. 2.2 specification and extensively verified at ten beta customer sites, the core is parameterized to allow designers to focus their resources on improving and differentiating their products. To guarantee PCI compliance, Altera has performed extensive hardware verification and simulation on the PCI function. The core is optimized for Altera's FLEX 10KE architecture and is available now through Altera's website at http://www.altera.com.
The second PCI core is from PLD Applications, a member of the Premier Altera Megafunction Partners Program (AMPPSM). The core is available through PLD Applications' web site at http://www.plda.com. This new VHDL source code version joins PLD Applications' wide range of PCI cores designed for Altera's programmable logic devices.
"Altera and PLD Applications have met the challenge of developing and delivering the first 100-percent software-based 64-bit, 66 MHz PCI cores for programmable logic," said Craig Lytle, senior director of Altera's intellectual property business unit. "When implemented on Altera's FLEX 10KE family, these new PCI cores expand on the Altera promise of programmable solutions that deliver easy customization and fast time-to-market, with low risk."
About Altera's PCI Core
Altera's parameterized 64-bit, 66 MHz Master/Target PCI MegaCore, also referred to as PCI/C, is fully compliant with PCI Specification Rev. 2.2 timing and functional requirements. The core has been rigorously tested on the Phoenix Technologies' Testbench, Hewlett-Packard's PCI Bus Analyzer, and Altera's PCI development board.
The PCI/C Master/Target MegaCore function features independent master and target operation, allowing maximum throughput (up to 528 Mbytes/sec) and efficient usage of the PCI bus. The core's parameters can be modified upon instantiation to provide scalability, adaptability, and efficient silicon implementation. Other features include zero-wait-state memory read/write for both master and target, support for all the required PCI bus commands, dynamic negotiation and response to 32- or 64-bit transactions, 64-bit addressing; host bridge support, Compact PCI hot swap capability, and expansion ROM.
About PLD Applications' PCI Core
The new VHDL-based PCI Target builds on the success of PLD Applications' extensive selection of PCI Master/Target cores. The new VHDL-sourced version features full compliance with PCI Local Bus Specification Rev. 2.2. The core also features fully synchronous design, easy customization via Altera's MegaWizard™ Plug-In, full plug-and-play support, and extensive hardware test using PLD Applications' PCI prototyping boards. Features that can be customized using the MegaWizard include the 64-bit addressing and dual-address cycle command, simplified interrupt signals, support for 64-bit base addresses, a new expansion ROM BAR, a capability pointer, and a Cardbus CIS pointer. The core supports unlimited burst memory transfers, zero-wait-state insertion, 64-bit data transfer and 64-bit addressing, and multiple 64- or 32-bit base address registers.
"PLD Applications' VHDL-sourced 64-bit, 66 MHz PCI core is an ideal choice for Altera's customers who demand low risk and fast turnaround time, with the assurance of design portability," said Jean-Yves Brena, president of PLD Applications. "The highly portable VHDL source code is well-suited for coding in both datapath and control-type functions, and the megafunction itself is specifically optimized for implementation on Altera's high-performance FLEX 10KE family of PLDs."
About the FLEX 10KE
Both cores will offer 100 percent compliance with all five members of Altera's
FLEX 10KE family. The largest member, EPF10K200E, implements the core in just nine-to-10 percent of available resources, leaving 180,000 gates for user logic.
Availability & Pricing
Altera's PCI/C megafunction (ordering code: PLSM-PCI/C) is available now for $14,995. A PCI development board consisting of a FLEX 10K100E device and software drivers will be available in May for $4,995. The PCI development board is expected to support 32-bit, 33 MHz and 64-bit, 66 MHz operations.
PLD Applications' 64-bit, 66 MHz PCI Target megafunction is available now for $9,990, including the PCI netlist, target .acf files, simulation test vectors, example reference designs, user parameterization through Altera's MegaWizard Plug-In and one year of megafunction updates, warranty and support from their PCI specialists. More information can be found at http://www.plda.com or any of PLD Applications'distributors (see web site).
As with all Altera megafunctions, customers can evaluate freely both megafunctions prior to licensing via the OpenCore™ feature available at http://www.altera.com.
Safe Harbor Notice
This press release contains "forward looking statements" which are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward looking statements are generally preceded by words such as "expects," "believes," "anticipates," "projects," or "intends." Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements in this release involve risks and uncertainty, including without limitation the risks that the Company's products will not satisfy customer demands, that other companies will develop products with higher densities than those offered by the Company, and that yields will not be sufficient to support projected pricing. Please refer to the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings, copies of which are available from the Company without charge, for further information.
About PLD Applications
PLD Applications is an engineering company based in Paris, France and specializing in programmable logic-based electronic systems. As a Premier member of Altera's AMPP program, PLD Applications main activity is the development of megafunctions (IP).
Since its creation, PLD Applications has focused on the Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) market, and has developed a strong competence in this area. PLD Applications' range of products includes:
- PCI megafunctions available in master/target and target only, 32/64 bits, 33/66 MHz
- PCI prototyping boards
- Software drivers
- VHDL test bench
- PCI analyzer
- PCI consultancy services and training.
About Altera
Altera Corporation, The Programmable Solutions Company™, was founded in 1983 and is a worldwide leader in high-performance, high-density programmable logic devices and associated computer aided engineering (CAE) logic development tools. Programmable logic devices are semiconductor chips that offer on-site programmability to customers. The chips are programmed using tools that run on personal computers or engineering work stations. User benefits include ease of use, lower risk, and fast time-to-market. The company offers the broadest line of CMOS programmable logic devices that address high-speed, high-density, and low-power applications. Altera products serve a broad range of markets, including telecommunications, data communications, computer peripherals, and industrial applications. Altera common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol ALTR.
|
文档资料
> 
