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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
XILINX UNVEILS INTERNET RECONFIGURABLE LOGIC
New tools, Virtex FPGAs aimed at reconfigurable network appliances
SAN JOSE, Calif., November 10, 1998—Continuing its Internet-based Silicon
Xpresso initiative, Xilinx, Inc., (NASDAQ:XLNX), today announced
Java-based tools and technology that will enable FPGA devices to
revolutionize the development and deployment of network appliances. The
FPGA platform for this effort will be the new Virtex series, which
Xilinx began shipping earlier this year.
Xilinx Internet Reconfigurable Logic (IRL) solutions will be targeted
at emerging network appliances such as multi-use set top boxes, games,
security systems and process controllers. In addition, IRL will be
deployed in network equipment such as ATM, cellular base stations and
satellite communications systems. The hardware for these Virtex-based
products can be upgraded over the Internet to add new features or
capabilities.
"IRL technologies will be the basis for twenty first century products,
which will have the ability to be dynamically upgraded with both software
and logic on the customer premises," said Wim Roelandts, president and CEO
of Xilinx. "The concept of IRL will revolutionize the flexibility of
network connected products."
The combination of three fundamental technologies will empower the
design of radically new IRL products: pervasive networking, Java
technology and reconfigurable Virtex FPGAs. These technologies will allow
system-on-a-chip designers to create products that can be enhanced with
new features, after installation, at the customer site.
Xilinx today unveiled the new JBits and ChipScope tools to support
Internet Reconfigurable Logic.
JBits API
The JBits API is a new Java-based tool set, or
application programming interface (API), that allows designers to write
information directly to a Xilinx FPGA to carry out whatever customer logic
operations were designed for it. The JBits API permits the FPGA bitstream
to be modified quickly, allowing for fast reconfiguration of the FPGA.
With Virtex FPGAs, the JBits API can partially or fully reconfigure the
internal logic of the hardware device.
The Virtex architecture allows this reconfiguration to be as extensive
as necessary and still maintain timing information. The JBits API also
makes it possible to integrate the operations of the FPGA with other
system components such as an embedded processor, a graphics coprocessor,
or any digital peripheral device.
JBits applications, or "applets," can use the Java API for Boundary
Scan, unveiled by Xilinx in September, for platform independent device
configurations deployed locally or remotely over the Internet. These
applets can be control programs, consumer interface programs, or updates.
Previously, Java applets were only used to send software updates via the
Internet. The JBits API now makes its possible to create Java logic
applets that can used to send new hardware updates via the Internet.
ChipScope Tool
Xilinx also announced the ChipScope tool, a
portable, interactive debug tool, written in Java, that allows designers
to examine the operation of Xilinx FPGA circuits. The ChipScope tool, like
the JBits API, is Internet enabled, allowing for remote debugging of IRL
based products. Designed to show data flow, the ChipScope tool displays
the internal states of all FPGAs in the system. The ChipScope tool
simplifies tedious design verification required for system-on-a-chip
designs. A waveform display permits both bit-level signal and multi-bit
busses to be viewed in fashion similar to that used by circuit simulators.
Moreover, a remote access feature allows multiple users to communicate
with the hardware over a network for Internet team-based design. The
ChipScope tool also allows the designer to functionally view tagged, but
secure, intellectual property. This enables discrete core manipulation for
system-on-a-chip design.
The JBits and ChipScope tools follow two earlier Silicon Xpresso
announcements to introduce the Java API for Boundary Scan and the
Webfitter tool, plus the release of new Xilinx Foundation 1.5i design
tools that provide instant access to web-enabled design.
"This third phase of our Silicon Xpresso initiative is focused on
advanced technology that will help electronic equipment manufacturers
bring Internet-enabled products to their customers—businesses and
consumers. International Data Corp. projects that the installed base of
web-enabled devices will exceed 500 million by 2002," said Rich Sevcik,
senior vice president software, cores and support solutions at Xilinx.
"We're confident that the system-level features of our new Virtex FPGAs,
combined with the innovative JBits and ChipScope tools, will provide the
necessary foundation to help bring IRL applications into the mainstream.
The Java programming language and the Internet will play a key role in the
development of reconfigurable end products whose hardware literally can be
upgraded over the network."
"We have utilized many of these FPGA-based reconfigurable concepts in
our ATM switches at IBM," said Jean Calvignac, an IBM Fellow with IBM
Corp.'s Networking Hardware Division in Research Triangle Park, N.C. "Our
customers have been pleased to see product updates occur automatically via
the network. These seamless updates have included both software and
hardware changes. With its tools for Internet Reconfigurable Logic, Xilinx
is broadening the appeal of this exciting technology."
"Compaq's PCI Development Platform embodies many of the Internet
Reconfigurable Logic concepts which can benefit our customers today," said
Gene Nelson, vice president, Compaq CustomSystems. "We are pleased that
Xilinx selected Compaq's Xilinx FPGA-based 'PCI Development Platform' in
the development of JBits and ChipScope tools, saving them time and
development costs by providing an open and flexible reconfigurable board
on PCI bus. By Xilinx providing standardized support, we will be able to
take these IRL concepts much further in future FPGA-based products."
A number of other industry leaders, including, Siemens, Sun Microsystems Inc.,
and Synplicity, announced support for IRL services and products. In
addition, two longtime Xilinx development partners in the reconfigurable
logic arena, Annapolis Micro Systems
Inc. and Virtual Computer Corp.,
announced Virtex-based development systems that support IRL. Beta versions
of the JBits and ChipScope tools will be available in the first quarter of
1999, with pricing to be announced at that time.
Xilinx is the leading innovator of complete programmable logic
solutions, including advanced integrated circuits, software design tools,
predefined system functions delivered as cores, and unparalleled
engineering support. Founded in 1984 and headquartered in San Jose,
Calif., Xilinx invented the field programmable gate array (FPGA) and
commands more than half of the world market 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,
high-reliability/military, and consumer markets. For more information,
visit the Xilinx web site at http://www.xilinx.com/index.shtml.
—30—
Xilinx is a registered trademark of
Xilinx, Inc. ChipScope, JBits, Silicon Xpresso, Internet Reconfigurable
Logic, and Virtex are trademarks of Xilinx. Other brands or product names
are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
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