Atrenta and Xilinx Partner to Deliver Predictive Analysis for Virtex Platform FPGAs

SpyGlass Predictive Analyzer Streamlines Advanced FPGA Platform for Programmable Systems Design

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 9, 2002-- Atrenta Inc., the Predictive Analysis company, and Xilinx, Inc. (Nasdaq:XLNX - News) the programmable logic leader, today announced the release of new capabilities and Virtex-specific rules for Atrenta"s SpyGlass(TM) software. Atrenta worked directly with Xilinx to define, develop and test a comprehensive set of rules that helps designers identify downstream issues early in the design cycle.

This specialized rule deck for SpyGlass performs structural analysis on Verilog and VHDL RTL code to help ensure that code meets advanced design requirements and FPGA design best practices. Unlike conventional RTL checkers that simply analyze the text and infer potential problems, SpyGlass employs predictive analysis technologies including fast-synthesis and logic evaluation to create a structural representation of the RTL in order to perform in-depth analysis early in the design cycle. This allows SpyGlass to be more precise in pinpointing problems while more accurately guiding the user to the best results. Atrenta developed an extensive set of rules focused on helping the user quickly identify RTL constructs that should be changed to ensure compliance and best practices. SpyGlass also detects potential synthesizability and simulation problems in the RTL, thus avoiding time-consuming rework.

"Xilinx is pleased to partner with Atrenta in order to bring advanced analysis capabilities to help customers optimize their RTL when targeting the Virtex family of Xilinx FPGAs," said Rich Sevcik, senior vice president, FPGA Products at Xilinx. "SpyGlass" unique and innovative predictive analysis will help streamline the Platform for Programmable Systems design process that Xilinx FPGAs now offer in our VirtexII and VirtexII-pro series."

The first release of this exclusive Xilinx predictive analysis solution is comprised of an extensive set of rules that includes Virtex-specific rules and good FPGA design practices. SpyGlass also checks for advanced design issues like: (a) ensuring that all inferred registers use synchronous resets, (b) ensuring that FSMs (finite state machines) are coded into separate processes, (c) detecting combinational feedback loops, and (d) checking that multiple clocks are not part of the same always block or process statement, and many more.

"We are happy to work with Xilinx to bring products to market that increase productivity for our common customers," said Dr. Bernard Murphy, vice president and chief technical officer at Atrenta. "We believe SpyGlass will provide Xilinx users with an automated approach to enforce advanced design rules and play a crucial role in meeting engineering schedules."

Atrenta is a partner of Xilinx and a member of the Alliance Program.

Availability

This Xilinx-specific rule set is included in SpyGlass 3.1 at no extra charge, and is sold and supported by Atrenta and its distributors. It runs on Sun/Solaris 2.5 - 2.8, HP-UX 10.2 and RedHat Linux 7.

About Atrenta

Atrenta offers a new approach in accelerating the design of complex ASICs, FPGAs, SoPCs and SoCs through predictive analysis. Its SpyGlass is the first tool that performs detailed structural analysis on register-transfer-level Verilog and VHDL code in order to check for complex problems, which include coding styles, RTL-handoff, design re-use, clock/reset requirements, and much more. Its breakthrough and innovative "look-ahead" capability incorporates a fast-synthesis engine, logic evaluator, and testability technologies. Atrenta has over forty customers, such as Agere, Agilent, Apple, ARM, Canon, Compaq, Fujitsu, Hitachi, LSI Logic, Motorola, National Semiconductor, NCR, Nortel and Olympus, who are using SpyGlass to achieve shorter overall design cycles, increased design productivity and lower costs. Atrenta is headquartered in San Jose, California, with European headquarters in Swindon, England, a research and development center in India, and a sales and support distributor in Japan. For further information, visit the Atrenta website at http://www.atrenta.com or call 1-866 ATRENTA.

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.

Atrenta, the Atrenta logo and SpyGlass are trademarks of Atrenta Inc. Xilinx and Virtex are registered trademarks of Xilinx Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.