Aldec’s Active-HDL Now Available with an Advanced Hardware Prototyping Board

Henderson Nevada, May 27th, 2002 -- Aldec, Inc., a pioneer in mixed language simulation and advanced design tools for FPGA devices, announced today the availability of a new Desktop Prototyping Board. This is the first software/hardware bundle that allows users to design, prototype, test and verify a design from within a single Windows-based environment. The Desktop Prototyping Board configurations support both Altera™ and Xilinx™ devices and eliminate the need for fabrication of an FPGA prototype board and hardware test equipment, while decreasing the overall functional design verification time.

The Desktop Prototyping Board can be installed directly into the designer’s computer without external JTAG ports or power sources, simplifying the installation process. This innovative way of testing designs at the functional level instead of constructing a PCB test board typically cuts design verification time by 80%.

“Active-HDL’s new Desktop Prototyping Board is ideal for designers using IP Cores and Legacy Designs because those design components can be incorporated with the new design modules without slowing run-times. Unlike developing a prototyping board from scratch, this board can be installed directly into the PC and has practically zero set-up time. The prototyping board can be re-used on other FPGA designs without having to modify the hardware at all,” stated Megan Moran, Product Marketing Manager for Active-HDL.

Decrease Verification Time of IP Cores
Verification times are often slowed by simulation of the previously verified IP Cores at the system level. Active-HDL’s Desktop Prototyping Board allows the designer to load IP cores directly onto the hardware and execute them at hardware speeds. The Desktop Prototyping Board is universal and supports any mix of IP cores, including EDIF and other proprietary formats. It also enables the user to test the operation of the IP core in hardware to ensure that it will operate in real applications as expected.

Integrate the Old with the New
The Desktop Prototyping Board also allows downloading legacy designs directly into hardware, speeding their execution and verifying their operation in a new system architecture. Designers can test how hardware-based legacy designs interact in a closed-loop with the newly added HDL design blocks. The event-based interaction of hardware and the HDL simulator ensures that implementation results will be precisely the same as those in the prototyping environment.

By placing IP Cores and Legacy Designs directly onto the hardware board, the overall design size being verified in software is reduced, making the new modules easier to manage. Because the design components have been segmented between both software and hardware, it’s easier and faster to test and debug the design. Even though the design is segmented in a virtual environment, it performs as a unified design during the verification tests.

Integration is Key to Productivity
Designing and prototyping in a single environment is the most effective way to adhere to design schedules. Active-HDL with Desktop Prototyping hardware enables users to design the most efficient products in minimum time. Each hardware-based IP core and legacy design can be tested individually and in connection with other IP cores, legacy designs and new HDL design blocks. The Desktop Prototyping environment allows any synthesizable RTL code to be placed into hardware and tested in order to accelerate design verification and aid in the development of effective design-for-test procedures.

No Extensive Set-Up
The hardware board is installed directly into the user’s PC, without the need for additional AC/DC sources, ports and connectors. Installation is as simple as installing a graphics card, without the danger of damage that often results from discrete devices. Once the board is installed, the user can continue using Active-HDL’s environment with the added benefit of industry-leading prototyping & testing hardware.

View Direct Simulation Results
The results from the Desktop Prototyping Board can be viewed directly in Active-HDL’s Waveform Viewer, eliminating the need for logic analyzers, signal generators and LED displays. All signals from the design can be placed in the Waveform Viewer and the outputs can be viewed separately or in conjunction with software signals. There is no need to purchase additional components or equipment to view the results, a major advantage in regards to test set-up and budgetary requirements.

Availability
The Desktop Prototyping Board can be purchased as a supplement to Active-HDL’s software application. The Desktop Prototyping Board includes either Altera™ or Xilinx™ hardware as well as the Design Verification Manager software, which facilitates design distribution between the software simulator and hardware board. The capacity of the hardware board is limited to 1 million FPGA gates, but this can be expanded to greater capacity to accommodate any design size. To receive your FREE evaluation copy of both Active-HDL and the Design Verification Management software, contact Aldec at 702.990.4400 or at download at www.aldec.com.

About Aldec
Aldec, Inc., an 18-year EDA tool provider, is committed to delivering high-performance, HDL-based design verification software for UNIX, Linux and Windows platforms. Aldec is dedicated and responsive to serving its customers’ needs. It is recognized that to be productive in today’s market and to best serve customers in the future, new technologies and innovations that go beyond traditional methods of conducting business in the EDA industry must be pursued. Aldec is committed to customer service and is actively developing a company that will evolve along with its customers’ designs. Additional information about Aldec is available at http://www.aldec.com.


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