"By using the Xilinx System Generator for DSP tool, I was able to convert a floating-point algorithm to a working fixed-point design in only two months when ordinarily it would have taken a year," said Donald Bak, staff systems engineer at Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc. "The tool allowed me to do a side-by-side comparison of the same algorithm in floating and fixed point, then quickly converge on a fixed-point solution."

"Our unique strategic alliance with the MathWorks includes joint engineering to ensure the earliest possible availability of fully compatible products from both companies so that customers can excel at each stage of the DSP design flow," said David Squires, director the Xilinx DSP Center of Excellence. "As a result, customers already are beginning new DSP designs with these tools and doing so with an unprecedented level of increased productivity."

System Generator for DSP Tool

System Generator for DSP is part of the Xilinx XtremeDSP initiative, the world's fastest programmable DSP solution that includes the industry's leading Virtex-II series devices, DSP service and training, plus a rapidly growing network of Xilinx AllianceCORE(TM) and XPERT partners who provide intellectual property cores and design services.

The System Generator for DSP tool automatically generates an FPGA implementation from the Xilinx Blockset in Simulink 5 with performance and density levels previously attainable only through hand crafted designs. Within the Virtex-II Pro device, the tool allows system architects and DSP designers to support such features as SRL16E shift-register logic, up to 556 18 x 18 embedded multipliers, and up to 10 Mbits of dual port block RAM. Design time is also significantly reduced through the tool automatically generating a test bench to verify design functionality, a constraint file for timing, command files for FPGA synthesis, HDL simulation, and implementation tools. The tool also supports multi-rate DSP applications, which represent the majority of FPGA-based DSP implementations.

MATLAB 6.5 in Release 13

MATLAB 6.5 integrates mathematical computing, visualization, and a powerful language to provide a flexible environment for technical computing. The open architecture makes it easy to use MATLAB and its companion products to explore data, create algorithms and custom tools that provide early insights and competitive advantages.

Simulink 5 in Release13

Simulink 5 is a block-diagram modeling environment for simulating dynamic systems, evaluating performance, and refining control, DSP, and communication system design. Enhancements include targeting for Virtex-II Pro FPGAs, modeling for wireless, mechanical and power systems, intrinsic fixed point for switching easily between fixed-point and floating-point, rapid control prototyping with new xPC TargetBox hardware, and next generation of automatic production code.

ISE 5.1i software tools

Announced August 2002, the Xilinx ISE 5.1i software solution delivers "ASIC-strength" design tools to exploit the power of Virtex-II Pro FPGAs. ISE 5.1i provides a two-fold improvement in compile times with speeds now of 200,000 gates per minute. ISE 5.1i also provides a 40 percent improvement in device speeds over the previous release of the software.

About Xilinx

Xilinx, Inc. is the worldwide leader of programmable logic solutions. Additional information about Xilinx is available at www.xilinx.com.