Fraunhofer IIS Selects Mentor Graphics Catapult C Synthesis for Advanced Signal Processing Applications
WILSONVILLE, Ore.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—March 8, 2005—
Mentor Graphics Corporation (Nasdaq:MENT) today
announced that the Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS, a
world-renown audio and video research laboratory located in Erlangen,
Germany, has selected the Mentor Graphics Catapult C Synthesis tool
for use in next-generation digital broadcast applications. After an
evaluation comparing leading high-level synthesis tools, Fraunhofer
IIS chose the Catapult C Synthesis tool based on quality of results,
time savings, ease of use, and the tool's compatibility with the
company's C/C++ design flow.
"During our evaluation, we found Catapult C's quality of results
and ease of use to be very convincing. Using the tool, we expect a 5 -
10x improvement in productivity for algorithmic blocks, compared to
HDL synthesis," said Frank Mayer, design manager, Fraunhofer IIS. "The
Catapult C tool's ability to use pure C code as input fits very well
in our design flow, allowing us to automatically generate hardware
directly from our untimed C/C++ system models regardless of the target
technology. Based on the success of our evaluation, we immediately
deployed Catapult C in production design projects."
Fraunhofer IIS develops digital broadcast applications that depend
on complex digital signal processing (DSP) algorithms. The
organization typically implements the full system in field
programmable gate arrays (FPGA) as a prototype for real-time
performance validation before retargeting the design to an application
specific integrated circuit (ASIC) for production. Manual
register-transfer level (RTL) creation for FPGA prototypes and ASICs
were found to be too inefficient and error prone, and left no time for
design space exploration. This triggered the decision to explore
high-level synthesis to reduce manual development time and validation
effort.
For the past five years, Fraunhofer IIS has employed
first-generation behavioral synthesis, using traditional HDL input, to
shorten device development time. Recently, the organization decided to
move beyond behavioral synthesis to explore algorithmic synthesis,
which uses pure, untimed system models as input. Algorithmic synthesis
requires far less implementation effort, allowing designers to specify
interfaces and hierarchy using constraints, and instantly target FPGA
or ASIC implementations with the push of a button.
The Catapult C Synthesis tool is the only product to synthesize a
C++ source where both the core algorithm and interface are untimed. As
a result, designers can perform detailed "what-if" analysis on varying
micro-architecture and interface scenarios achieving fully optimized
hardware designs. The tool creates RTL that can be synthesized into
gates using standard RTL synthesis products, enabling it to fit within
a wide variety of tool flows.
"Fraunhofer IIS is an expert in using high-level synthesis to
achieve time-to-market and quality goals for their communication and
broadcasting systems," said Simon Bloch, general manager of Mentor
Graphics' Design Creation and Synthesis Division. "We are honored that
such an outstanding organization has selected Catapult C Synthesis as
it deploys the benefits of algorithmic synthesis."
About Fraunhofer IIS
Founded in 1985, the Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits
IIS in Erlangen, Germany employs 450 staff members, ranking first
among the Fraunhofer Institutes concerning headcount and revenues.
With the development of the audio coding method MP3, Fraunhofer IIS
has reached worldwide recognition. It provides research services on
contract basis and technology licensing.
The research topics are: Audio and video source coding, multimedia
realtime systems, digital radio broadcasting and digital cinema
systems, integrated circuits and sensor systems, design automation,
wireless, wired and optical networks, localization and navigation,
imaging systems and nanofocus X-ray technology, high-speed cameras,
medical sensor solutions and communications technology in transport
and logistics.
In the field of digital radio, Fraunhofer IIS is the leader among
the international research labs. It has been the main developer of the
most advanced audio coding schemes, like MP3, MPEG-2 AAC and MPEG-4
AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) and made significant contributions to the
definition, design and implementation of Digital Audio Broadcast DAB,
WorldSpace Digital Radio, XM Satellite Radio and Digital Radio
Mondiale DRM. World Wide Web site: http://www.iis.fraunhofer.de
About Mentor Graphics
Mentor Graphics Corporation (Nasdaq: MENT) is a world leader in
electronic hardware and software design solutions, providing products,
consulting services and award-winning support for the world's most
successful electronics and semiconductor companies. Established in
1981, the company reported revenues over the last 12 months of over
$700 million and employs approximately 3,850 people worldwide.
Corporate headquarters are located at 8005 S.W. Boeckman Road,
Wilsonville, Oregon 97070-7777; Silicon Valley headquarters are
located at 1001 Ridder Park Drive, San Jose, California 95131-2314.
World Wide Web site: http://www.mentor.com/.
Mentor Graphics is a registered trademark and Catapult is a
trademark of Mentor Graphics Corporation. All other company or product
names are the registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective
owners.
Contact:
Mentor Graphics
Nate James, 503-685-0449
nathan_james@mentor.com
or
Sonia Harrison, 503-685-1165
sonia_harrison@mentor.com
