Altera First to Offer Rijndael IP Cores to Accelerate Innovative Advanced Encryption Standard Algorithm.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 15, 2001

Altera Corporation (Nasdaq:ALTR) today announced the immediate availability of two new intellectual property cores that for the first time implement the Rijndael encryption standard on programmable logic to support the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) algorithm established by the U.S. government. The core can be implemented on Altera's industry-leading APEX(TM) 20KE programmable logic device family as a cost-effective alternative to comparable application specific standard products (ASSPs) scheduled for release later this year.

To ensure the secure transmission of information, the Rijndael IP cores utilize a higher number of bits for encrypting each key than the DES standard, thus eliminating the possibility of codes being affected by hackers. National Institute of Science and Technology (NIST) anticipates that the Rijndael algorithm will be used widely -- both domestically and internationally.

"With an inherent need to support encryption technology standards established by the U.S. government, the Rijndael cores are part of a complete suite of products that Altera customers can use to support secure communications in their systems using Altera system-on-a-programmable-chip (SOPC) products," said Justin Cowling, senior marketing manager of Altera's Intellectual Property Business Unit.

Earlier this year, the NIST selected the Rijndael algorithm to replace the Data Encryption Standard (DES) as the new AES standard. The selection is described in detail in a draft Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) publication issued by the NIST in February. This development marks the culmination of a four-year effort involving the cooperation between the U.S. Government, private industry, and academia from around the world to develop an encryption technique that could potentially be used by millions of people in the years to come.

Core Details

The high-speed Rijndael Encryption/Decryption (ordering code: PLSM-RIJNDAEL/HS) core supports block and key lengths of 128 bits. Two versions of the encryption/decryption cores are supported -- one has 128-bit parallel inputs and outputs, and the other has a 16-bit wide multi-cycle access bus for all inputs and outputs. The high-speed Rijndael decryptor core runs over 1.1 Gbps and can be implemented in Altera's APEX 20K100E device for less than $24 per unit in volume production, 70 percent less than competing ASSPs expected to be available later this year.

The low-speed Rijndael Encryption/Decryption (ordering code: PLSM-RIJNDAEL/LS) core is parameterized for key and block sizes. All combinations of key (128, 192, and 256 bits) and block lengths (128, 192, and 256 bits) are supported. The low-speed Rijndael decryptor core runs over 40 Mbps and can be implemented in Altera's APEX 20K30E device for less than $13 per unit in volume production, more than an 80 percent cost reduction compared to competing ASSPs expected to be available later this year.

Both cores come with a test case generator, which converts a file containing key and block data into a simulation file. The cores are priced at $9,995 each and can be downloaded from the IP megastore web site at http://www.altera.com/ipmegastore. Detailed documentation on both these cores can be found on the IP Megastore web site.

About Altera

Altera Corporation, The Programmable Solutions Company(R), was founded in 1983 and is a leading supplier of programmable logic devices (PLDs). Altera's CMOS-based PLDs are user-programmable semiconductor chips that enhance flexibility and reduce time-to-market for companies in the communications, computer peripheral, and industrial markets. By using high performance devices, software development tools, and sophisticated intellectual property cores, system-on-a-programmable-chip (SOPC) solutions can be created with embedded processors, memory, and other complex logic together on a single PLD. Altera common stock is traded on The Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol ALTR. More information on Altera is available on the Internet at http://www.altera.com.

Altera, The Programmable Solutions Company, APEX, are trademarks and/or service marks of Altera Corporation in the U.S. and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective holders.