Anadigm Expands Options for Dynamically Reconfigurable Analog Arrays with New Version of AnadigmDesigner2 EDA Software.Business Editors/High-Tech Writers CAMPBELL, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 27, 2003 Anadigm(R) today announced that the latest version of its AnadigmDesigner(R)2 EDA (1) (Electronic Design Automation) Using the computer to design, lay out, verify and simulate the performance of electronic circuits on a chip or printed circuit board. software includes a breakthrough feature that greatly expands the ability of Field-Programmable Analog Arrays (FPAAs) to be reconfigured on-the-fly in embedded systems Embedded systems Computer systems that cannot be programmed by the user because they are preprogrammed for a specific task and are buried within the equipment they serve. . The software's new State-Driven Dynamic Configurability (SDDC SDDC Surface Deployment and Distribution Command (formerly Military Traffic Management Command) SDDC Single Data Device Correction ) capability widens the scope of dynamic reconfigurability to allow both algorithmic updates of circuit parameters and -- in an industry first -- state-driven transformations of the FPAA's functionality. "State-Driven Dynamic Configurability means the FPAA FPAA Field-Programmable Analog Array FPAA Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association FPAA Fairmount Park Art Association (Philadelphia, PA) FPAA Fresh Produce Association of the Americas FPAA Fire Protection Association of Australia can be switched dynamically between multiple states, merely by loading a preset configuration file into the device," said Suhel Dhanani, senior product marketing manager at Anadigm(R). "With this new capability, an FPAA can switch on-the-fly from working as a sensor signal monitoring circuit to a complex control loop -- just to cite one example." In addition to the device multi-purposing and reduced component count benefits provided by the SDDC capability, using the new feature is surprisingly inexpensive. Only a simple microcontroller is needed to switch between the various configuration files. Users can thus implement the dynamic reconfiguration feature using minimal system resources (1) In a computer system, system resources are the components that provide its inherent capabilities and contribute to its overall performance. System memory, cache memory, hard disk space, IRQs and DMA channels are examples. . AnadigmDesigner(R)2 is the latest version of an advanced EDA tool that enables the design and implementation of dynamically reconfigurable FPAAs within a matter of minutes A Matter of Minutes is an episode from the television series The New Twilight Zone. Cast
With AnadigmDesigner(R)2, designers construct complex analog circuits for applications such as signal conditioning Imagine feeding the output of a temperature sensor, which is in millivolts, to an Analog-to-digital converter to be processed. Is it possible for the Analog-to-Digital converter to process such a minute voltage amplitude? The answer is probably no. , closed loop control and data acquisition using Configurable Analog Modules (CAMs) as building blocks -- dramatically consolidating discrete components and reducing manufacturing costs. With an easy-to-use drag-and-drop interface, the design process can be measured in minutes, allowing complete analog systems to be built rapidly, simulated immediately, and then downloaded to the FPAA chip for testing, validation and a direct move to manufacturing. Anadigm(R)'s second-generation FPAAs are the first programmable analog devices Analog Devices (NYSE: ADI) is an American multinational producer of semiconductor devices. Analog specializes in ADC, DAC, MEMS, and DSP chips for consumer and industrial goods. Analog is presently designing circuits in the 65 nanometer to 3 µm process feature sizes range. on the market that can be reconfigured on-the-fly within an embedded system Any electronic system that uses a CPU chip, but that is not a general-purpose workstation, desktop or laptop computer. Such systems generally use microprocessors, or they may use custom-designed chips or both. . With the release of AnadigmDesigner(R)2 version 2.2.5, now two forms of dynamic reconfigurability are possible -- algorithmic and state-driven. Both modes allow analog functionality to interact with other parts of the system through software. The benefits to manufacturers include the ability to implement adaptive control Adaptive control A special type of nonlinear control system which can alter its parameters to adapt to a changing environment. The changes in environment can represent variations in process dynamics or changes in the characteristics of the disturbances. loops; dynamically sweep filter frequencies; adapt to sensor degradation, laser aging, or changing customer requirements; as well as increase system functionality. A trial copy of AnadigmDesigner(R)2 is available for free download at http://www.anadigm.com/Down_05_a.asp. About Anadigm(R) Anadigm(R) combines the three most powerful design trends from the digital world (design automation, field programmable ICs, real-time updating) into a platform for analog design, greatly reducing cost of ownership for analog signal conditioning and processing functions across many market segments. Founded in January 2000 as a venture-backed technology spinoff from Motorola, the company maintains U.S. headquarters in Campbell, and European headquarters in Crewe, United Kingdom. For further information, visit Anadigm(R) on the Web at www.anadigm.com. |
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