Beach Solutions Extends ARM Support with AMBA 2 Interconnect Generators and SPIRIT PrimeCell Views.

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- AMBA 2 Interconnect Generators and SPIRIT PrimeCell Meta-Views Simplify the Task of Creating Complex AMBA Methodology-Based Embedded Designs

Beach Solutions, the ESL Synthesis company, today announced the introduction of additional solutions for developers of ARM Powered(R) products: Single and Multi-Layer AMBA(TM) 2 Interconnect generators, which automate the assembly of AMBA 2 interconnect, and ARM(R) PrimeCell(R) peripheral meta-views in both Beach and SPIRIT1.0 format.

Beach's Interconnect generators for AMBA 2 interfaces allow the automatic interconnect generation, and the ADK(R) toolkit (AMBA 2 Developers Kit) block inference, for blocks and sub-systems using AMBA 2 interfaces. Automatic interconnect and ADK infrastructure inference allow complex bus topologies to be rapidly assembled, easily modified and rapidly re-assembled.

ADK toolkit components, such as arbiters, decoders and bus bridges, are automatically inserted as necessary by the AMBA 2 interconnect generators. For example when AMBA 2 AHB interconnect is used; if a bus layer has two bus masters then an ADK arbiter block is automatically inserted by the generator. The AMBA 2 APB protocol standard is supported alongside single-layer and multi-layer AMBA 2 AHB interconnects.

"AMBA methodology-bus systems generated using the Beach Interconnect generators for AMBA 2 protocols can also be verified using the combined Beach Solutions eVC Generator for AMBA protocols and Verisity SpecMan-based solution which we announced on 22nd February 2005," said Doug McCafferty, President and CEO of Beach Solutions.

As systems become larger, automating the bus interconnect becomes a key value-add within the overall SoC flow. By removing one of the last major error-prone manual tasks within the system flow, Beach's Interconnect solution for AMBA 2 protocols enables companies to move rapidly from system design into implementation. When used with the wider solution offered by EASI-Studio, designers can also document, test and generate software for both individual IP Blocks and complete interconnected systems.

Beach further announces that it has produced meta-views of 19 different PrimeCell peripherals, in both Beach and SPIRIT formats, using its EASI-IP and EASI-Studio products. These PrimeCell meta-views will prove valuable to developers incorporating ARM PrimeCell peripherals in complex systems.

One of the key challenges facing the semiconductor industry is to combine IP from various sources quickly and efficiently, which is now being directly addressed by the SPIRIT consortium. As a founding member of the SPIRIT Consortium Beach Solutions shares the goals of SPIRIT, which are reflected in the availability of SPIRIT IP views through Beach's IP Portal http://www.VCXsoftware.com and Beach's meta- level design tools.

"Beach's encapsulation and provision of SPIRIT views is a positive step for the industry," said Chris Lennard, ESL technical marketing manager, ARM, "It is good to see Beach Solutions delivering tool-neutral SPIRIT descriptions of IP, as well as tools that can interpret and generate SPIRIT meta-data."

"The combination of Beach's eVC Generator for AMBA protocols, AMBA 2 Interconnect Generators, automatic ADK toolkit component instantiation, and PrimeCell meta-views offers developers of ARM Powered devices, a powerful high level design and verification solution," said Mark Edgeworth, CTO Beach Solutions.

Availability

The Beach Solutions single and multi-layer AMBA 2 AHB interconnect generators are available from Beach Solutions now, as generator add-ons to EASI-Studio.

PrimeCell views in both Beach database and SPIRIT 1.0 format are available from Beach Solutions now. They can be found on the VCX Software IP Portal. http://www.vcxsoftware.com/arm.

About Beach Solutions

Beach Solutions is a leading innovator of Electronic System Level (ESL) design tools for hardware/software co-design. Beach Solutions was a founding member of the SPIRIT Consortium. Beach's EDA tools fit into any design flow to enable hardware/software co-design from high-level system specification through the development of manufacturing tests. The company provides system-level design tools in a seamless environment for ensuring the creation of high quality systems and intellectual property (IP) for system on chip (SoC), embedded software and component-based design styles. Beach's EASI-Tools(TM) are proving their value at the world's largest cell phone company, the world's largest digital signal processor (DSP) chip manufacturer, and leading systems companies. Beach Solutions, founded in 1999, is a venture funded, privately owned company with $8.6 million received to date. MTI Partners is the lead funding partner. Beach Solutions operates on a worldwide basis with its European headquarters based in Reading, United Kingdom and U.S. headquarters in San Jose, CA. See http://www.beachsolutions.com for additional information.

Beach Solutions and the Beach Solutions logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Beach Solutions Inc., in the United States and/or other jurisdictions. All other trademarks are the property of their respective holders.

ARM, ARM Powered and PrimeCell are registered trademarks of ARM Limited. AMBA is a trademark of ARM Limited. All other brands or product names are the property of their respective holders. "ARM"' is used to represent ARM Holdings plc; its operating company ARM Limited; and the regional subsidiaries ARM INC.; ARM KK; ARM Korea Ltd.; ARM Taiwan; ARM France SAS; ARM Consulting (Shanghai) Co. Ltd.; ARM Belgium N.V.; AXYS Design Automation Inc.; AXYS GmbH; ARM Embedded Solutions Pvt. Ltd.; and ARM Physical IP, Inc.