Aldec Updates Riviera with Linux Kernel 2.4x Support

Henderson Nevada, September 4th, 2002 - Aldec, Inc., a pioneer in mixed language simulation and advanced design tools for FPGA and ASIC devices, announced today complete support for the Linux kernel 2.4x in the Riviera product line. Riviera is based on Aldec’s mixed VHDL and Verilog common kernel simulation technology used by ASIC and high-density FPGA designers to verify integrated circuits and system-on-chip designs.

Increased Support
With the growing demand for use of the Linux operating system in EDA, Aldec and its products continue to evolve utilizing new performance enhancements available in Linux versions 7x with kernel 2.4x. These enhancements include support for up to 64GB of RAM, providing Riviera with an ideal environment to run the largest FPGA and ASIC devices on the market from a PC platform. Additionally, Rivera can now be run on a single PC with up to eight (8) processors, providing even further flexibility when performing extensive regression testing. Riviera has been optimized for use on Linux kernel 2.4x and is fully tested on all popular Linux versions including Red Hat, SuSE, and Mandrake.

“We are very optimistic about the increase of using a Linux platform to run EDA applications. In the last few years, server and desktop use of the OS has begun to explode by offering the computing simplicity of Windows with the power and reliability of UNIX. This creates added value for the customer while boosting the performance of our tools,” stated Eric Seabrook, Product Marketing Manager for Aldec.

Increased Performance
Linux is becoming more popular in many areas of EDA; FPGA vendors’ place and route tools and most logic synthesis products are running on the operating system. However, HDL verification appears to utilize the new expanded capabilities of the Linux 2.4x kernel. With the increased RAM, support of up to eight (8) processor from a single machine and speeds exceeding 2Ghz, Riviera is an ideal solution for many large verification teams seeking to decrease the overall HDL verification run times.

Cost Savings
Customers are not only using Riviera to increase their performance and time to market, but the cost savings compared to a UNIX workstation continue to entice corporations to utilize Riviera on the Linux operating system. Internally, Aldec is using Linux server clusters as part of its internal testing procedure to run over 50,000 regression tests on its simulator. Aldec has found that most case studies yield a 2X performance increase as compared to a similar configuration on UNIX.

Availability
Riviera is available today based on a floating OS independent license that supports UNIX, Windows and Linux with kernel 2.4x. It includes an industry proven mixed VHDL and Verilog simulation engine that supports IEEE VHDL 1076-87/93 and Vital 2000 in addition to Verilog 1376-95 and 2001. Code Coverage, Design Profiler and interfaces to other EDA tools are provided via PLI and VHPI function calls as part of Riviera’s product configuration. Riviera is sold directly by Aldec in the U.S. and authorized international distributors. A FREE evaluation copy of Riviera can be downloaded from www.aldec.com/riviera.


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.

Riviera is a trademark of Aldec, Inc. All other trademarks or registered trademarks are property of their respective owners.