National Semiconductor Provides Optimized Power Management Solutions for Altera's FPGAs and CPLDs

A software tool, design guide and dedicated Web page allow engineers to select National Semiconductor power management products and reference designs that address all the power management requirements of Altera's newest Stratix(R), Stratix II, Cyclone(TM), Cyclone II, and MAX(R) II FPGAs and CPLDS. These tools give designers a customized, proven solution to otherwise complex power design challenges.

In a separate announcement issued today, Altera detailed its plans to provide complete power management solutions for its customers by collaborating with National Semiconductor.

"Our customers require high-density FPGA and CPLD designs to run on robust, high-performance power supplies that consume as little power as possible," said David Greenfield, senior marketing director for Altera's high- density FPGAs. "To help them accomplish this goal, Altera is teaming with National Semiconductor to provide complete power management solutions along with advanced design support tools, so that highly efficient power supplies specifically tailored for FPGA and CPLD needs are easy to select and implement."

"National Semiconductor is committed to making life easier for design engineers developing complete power management solutions for FPGAs, CPLDs and other complex digital ICs," said Jeff Bessa, Americas marketing director for National Semiconductor. "Through our collaboration with leading FPGA manufacturers such as Altera, National understands well the power requirements of these complex devices and is able to provide designers with best-in-class tools and power management integrated circuits."

Tools for Altera FPGAs and CPLDs

National Semiconductor and Altera are introducing the Power Expert selection tool and design guide, allowing design engineers to choose complete power solutions designed for specific Altera FPGAs or CPLDs.

Using National's Power Expert automated software selection tool, customers follow three easy steps to select complete power management solutions tailored to the unique operating conditions of their specific FPGAs or CPLDs:

  -- First, customers select the specific Altera device they are using, and
     the selection tool displays the specific power requirements of that
     device.
  -- Customers then choose the operating conditions of their design,
     including input voltage, output voltage and airflow.
  -- Finally, customers choose from a range of National Semiconductor power
     management solutions that meet the specific power requirements of their
     FPGA or CPLD.

Once they choose parts, customers receive links to datasheets, National's WEBENCH(R) online design environment and sample reference designs.

In addition to the Power Expert selection tool, National is offering a design guide that simplifies the power management selection process for Altera FPGAs and CPLDs. This brochure includes reference designs for Altera's Stratix series and Cyclone series FPGAs, and MAX II CPLDs; selection tables for pairing these devices with the optimal National power management solutions based on specific power-consumption requirements; and a list of application notes and information on the latest power management devices designed specifically for FPGAs and CPLDs. In addition, the design guide has information on other National ICs for use with FPGAs, including DDR memory power solutions, single-chip Power over Ethernet devices, analog-to-digital converters, high-speed operational amplifiers and interface ICs, such as low voltage differential signaling (LVDS).

Power Expert and the design guide are available at http://www.national.com/see/alterafpga, a Web page dedicated to National's power management solutions for Altera devices. In addition to content on power management, the page has information on National's high-speed data conversion, LVDS, Ethernet and Bluetooth(R) wireless technology solutions for Altera devices. The site also includes additional power management information such as application notes, bills of materials and test data for the power supply reference designs offered.

About National's Power Management Products

National Semiconductor is the number one supplier of power management ICs with 12.8 percent market share, according to iSuppli's 2004 voltage regulator/reference survey. National's power management revenue grew 29.7 percent in 2003 over the previous year, compared to 17.3 percent growth for the industry during the same time period. National's innovative power management products include best-in-class linear regulators; power monitoring, control and reference ICs; and switching converters, such as high-voltage ICs for DC/DC conversion, switched capacitor converters, lighting management ICs and inductive switching converters. National's WEBENCH online design tool allows designers to select a power management product, create and analyze a design, and then build custom prototypes that can be delivered within 24 hours. More information about National's power management products is available at http://power.national.com/.

About National Semiconductor

National Semiconductor, the industry's premier analog company, creates high performance analog devices and subsystems. National's leading-edge products include power management circuits, display drivers, audio and operational amplifiers, communication interface products and data conversion solutions. National's key markets include wireless handsets, displays, PCs and laptops. The company's analog products are also optimized for numerous applications in a variety of electronics markets, including medical, automotive, industrial, and test and measurement. Headquartered in Santa Clara, California, National reported sales of $1.98 billion for fiscal 2004, which ended May 30, 2004. Additional company and product information is available at http://www.national.com/.

WEBENCH and National Semiconductor are registered trademarks of National Semiconductor Corporation. Bluetooth is a registered trademark of Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and is used under license by National Semiconductor. Cyclone is a trademark and Stratix, Stratix II and Max II are registered trademarks of Altera Corporation.

CONTACT: Megan Carter of National Semiconductor, +1-408-721-6929 or
megan.carter@nsc.com

Web site: http://www.national.com/