Altra Broadband Teams With Xilinx To Deliver Two Microsecond 1024 Point FFT; Communications Start-Up Achieves Blazing DSP Performance Using Xilinx Virtex-II FPGAs.

Business Editors/High Tech Writers

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar 27, 2002

Xilinx, Inc. (Nasdaq:XLNX), today announced its successful collaboration with Altra Broadband, a broadband communications company and subsidiary of Ansoft Corporation (Nasdaq:ANST), to deliver a high-performance Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) and Inverse Fast Fourier Transform (IFFT) solution for use in Virtex-II(TM) Platform FPGAs. The pipelined architecture allows two-microsecond throughput required for advanced signal processing in gigabit-speed networking subsystems manufactured by Altra Broadband.

"The ability to reprogram the Virtex-II FPGA allows us to rapidly implement advanced signaling methods on fiber, coax, and wireless channels at gigabit data rates," said Dr. Lawrence Williams, Altra Broadband's Vice President of Technology. "This flexibility combined with the complete XtremeDSP initiative from Xilinx, accelerates development of new products to significantly boost data rates on existing communications infrastructures."

Altra selected Xilinx(R) Platform FPGAs, over commercial DSP processors, based upon its extreme speed requirements. The Altra FFT-IFFT core multiplexes 1024 16-bit complex numbers and performs discrete Fourier transformation using a Radix-4 decimation-in-frequency (DIF) algorithm. The implementation relies on the Virtex-II FPGA on-chip memory and 18x18 embedded multipliers to achieve the high speed and performance. Altra Broadband applied the Xilinx Integrated Software Environment (ISE) design suite for design entry, synthesis, and implementation. Physically optimized to 125 MHz clock speeds, the FFT-IFFT core provides throughput in two microseconds.

"The Virtex-II allowed us to meet a critical technology development milestone," said Dr. Lawrence Williams, Altra Broadband's Vice President of Technology. "Excellent technical support from our Xilinx distributor Insight Electronics was also crucial to our success."

"We are pleased that Altra Broadband was able to utilize the speed and flexibility offered by the Virtex-II FPGA to deliver such performance," said David Squires, director of the Xilinx DSP Division. "Our Platform FPGAs provide the industry with access to embedded multipliers and customers continue to innovate amazing products."

About Xilinx Platform FPGAs

The Virtex-II Platform FPGA family delivers the highest performance and highest density of any programmable logic solution available. The innovative Virtex-II IP-Immersion architecture enables integration of both hard and soft intellectual property (IP), enhanced system memory, and lightning-fast DSP performance, providing the best platform for advanced digital designs in the industry. With densities ranging from 40,000 to 8 million system gates, Virtex-II solutions are empowered by advanced design tools that reduce development time through fast design, powerful synthesis, smart implementation algorithms, and efficient verification capabilities. For more information on Xilinx Virtex-II FPGAs and XtremeDSP visit www.xilinx.com/dsp

About Altra Broadband

Altra Broadband, a subsidiary of Ansoft Corporation, develops communications semiconductors, subsystems and related intellectual property for the broadband communications market. The Company's products improve bandwidth efficiency allowing network equipment manufacturers to develop cost-effective network solutions that increase the capacity, extend the reach and improve the flexibility of existing and next generation broadband networks. Using advanced signal processing and automated design techniques, Altra plans to be a provider of silicon integrated circuits and subsystems for the largest and fastest growing broadband communications markets.

About Xilinx

Xilinx is the leading supplier of complete programmable logic solutions, including advanced integrated circuits, software design tools, predefined system functions delivered as cores, and unparalleled field engineering support. Founded in 1984 and headquartered in San Jose, Calif., Xilinx invented the field programmable gate array (FPGA) and fulfills more than half of the world demand for these devices today. Xilinx solutions enable customers to reduce significantly the time required to develop products for the computer, peripheral, telecommunications, networking, industrial control, instrumentation, aerospace, defense, and low-power portable and consumer markets. For more information, visit the Xilinx web site at www.xilinx.com.