Tektronix, Altera, & FS2 Collaborate on Real-Time Logic Debug Solution for Altera FPGAs
Q1 2006 Issue
Tektronix®, Inc., Altera Corporation, and First Silicon Solutions (FS2) introduced FPGAViewTM, a software package from FS2 for Tektronix TLA logic analyzers that enables real-time debugging of Altera® FPGAs. Using FPGAView, design engineers can quickly and easily measure signals inside their Altera FPGA design and select which group of internal signals to probe without having to recompile their design.
"Our partnership with Tektronix and Altera enables customers to increase their productivity and reduce debugging time when designing with Altera FPGAs," said Rick Leatherman, vice president and general manager of FS2. "By leveraging our debug intellectual property, probing technology and PC software expertise to create FPGAView, we provide a tool for designers to quickly and easily measure signals without having to recompile their design. This translates into real savings of both time and money."
Installed onto a Tektronix logic analyzer, the FPGAView software package is enabled by the logic analyzer interface feature introduced in Altera's Quartus® II design software version 5.1. The logic analyzer interface feature allows for a large set of internal signals to be mapped to a small number of output pins via a user-configurable multiplexer. With the Tektronix logic analyzer connected to the FPGA through a Joint Test Action Group (JTAG) port, FPGAView controls which internal FPGA signals are mapped to the output pins for real-time display and debug. Designers will find the combination of FPGAView, Altera's logic analyzer interface feature, and the Tektronix logic analyzer easier to use and less intrusive than other debug methodologies.
"With the ever increasing density and sophistication of FPGAs, designers are looking for easier, more productive means of debugging internal nodes of the device," said David Bennett, vice president, logic analyzer product line, Tektronix. "Available for Tektronix logic analyzers, this new debug solution not only gives design teams the ability to view the internal operation of their Altera FPGA design but also allows them to correlate these signals with other signals on their board."
"As FPGA designs grow more sophisticated and pressures to reduce design cycle times increase, the ability to rapidly debug FPGAs becomes even more crucial, driving the demand for solutions such as FPGAView," said Danny Biran, Altera's vice president of product and corporate marketing. "Designers can take advantage of the advanced capabilities within Tektronix logic analyzers and the automated debugging process of FPGAView to quickly and easily complete their designs and meet their go-to-market goals."
FPGAView is available for all Tektronix TLA logic analyzers. In addition, FPGAView works with the ByteBlasterTM and USB-BlasterTM programming cables from Altera which eliminate the need to manually enter signal names into the logic analyzer.
Pricing & Availability
FS2's FPGAView is now available. Pricing for a one-year use license with support is US$1,695. Pricing for a perpetual-use license and three years of support is US$4,950. For further information, contact FS2 at (503) 489-0311 x103 or visit www.fs2.com.
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