Full-featured FPGA design tools now delivered anytime, anywhere over World Wide Web; Actel is first to use World Wide Web as FPGA development tools distribution channel.

SUNNYVALE, Calf.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 2, 1997--Today, for the first time, Logic designers can download a full suite of ready-to-use FPGA development tools from Actel Corporation's (NASDAQ:ACTL) world wide web site without cost or obligation. Actel is the first programmable logic company to offer no-cost FPGA development software downloadable from the worldwide web.

Designer Lite, a new addition to Actel Designer Series FPGA development tools, is a complete package of design tools for the PC with device libraries up to 8,000 gates. Logic designers can download Designer Lite, undertake a complete design from synthesis through place and route, or transfer a current design into an Actel device.

"Actel was an early advocate of The Internet as an information medium and today's announcement breaks new ground. For the first time, we're maximizing the full potential of the world wide web by using it as an electronic distribution system to deliver full, robust design tools to design engineers anywhere in the world, any time they want them," said Dennis Nye, Actel's Vice President of Marketing.

Designer Lite includes all of the basic Actel software tools, including pin editing, place-and-route, and ACTgen Macro Builder, DirectTime timing driven layout and analysis tool, as well as Verilog libraries, VITAL libraries, and Viewlogic Design Kit. ACTmap VHDL Synthesis will be added later in the month. Designer Lite is supported by a complete set of documentation in Adobe Acrobat Reader PDF format.

With Designer Lite, engineers can create full-featured designs for more than one hundred Actel devices, including all package and speed variants of: A1010, A1020, A1225XL, A1240XL, A1280XL, A3265DX, A1415, A1425, A1440, A1460, RH1280 and A1460BP.

"Designer Lite is not a demo. It's not a time-bombed evaluation copy. It is a full suite of ready-to-use, easy-to-use FPGA development tools aimed at the heart of the programmable logic market," explained Michael Saniei, Actel's Software Product Line Manager.

Easy To Access

Designers can choose one of two ways to download Designer Lite from Actel's Home Page (www.actel.com). First, a compressed version of the entire executable file can be downloaded. While the file is large, once downloaded, the executable file can be installed on any number of local computers. The executable file contains the entire suite of Actel Designer Lite software. When the entire software suite is downloaded, the executable files will expand to about 50 MB on the local PC's hard disk.

Designer Lite can also be downloaded using Install Shield's Install From The Web. This web installer's interface allows the user to select which components of Actel software are desired for download to the active PC, reducing download time if the entire software suite is not selected. Should the web Internet connection be interrupted, the web install interface will automatically resume installation from the point where the interruption took place, instead of requiring the user to restart the entire download from the beginning.

Designer Lite runs on Windows 95 and Windows NT operating systems for PC, requires 50 MB of free hard disk space, and a minimum of 16 MB of RAM. Either a Netscape 3.0 or higher or Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0 or higher web browser is required. FTP Downloads are not available.

Designer Lite Features

Actel's Designer Lite development system is an integrated suite of tools that feature intuitive operation, greater control and a direct interface to most EDA tools. The suite includes: -0-

-- Design Flow Manager -- A graphical display that tracks and records each step taken during the entire FPGA design process. Design Flow Manager displays the design's current status, keeps track of the information required to begin each step, and records design source changes.

-- ACTgen Macro Builder -- A powerful, graphical macro generation tool that creates optimized logic elements that are easily incorporated into schematic or synthesis designs. Architecture-specific rules control macro generation so the quality of output is "correct by construction" and requires no logic verification.

-- DirectTime Layout -- A timing driven layout and analysis tool that permits designers to enter the timing requirements for critical paths prior to place-and-route. During the place-and-route phase, DirectTime Layout interactively makes trade-offs to meet performance requirements.

-- Design Script -- A macro language that permits designers to group multiple design steps into a single operation. With Design Script, a designer can automate the FPGA design flow, making design iterations a snap.

About Actel

Actel is dedicated to providing logic designers with the capability to move up successfully to higher complexity designs. The company is the world's leading supplier of antifuse-based field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and associated software development tools. FPGAs are used by designers of communications, computer, medical, military/aerospace, industrial control, and other electronic systems to differentiate their products and get them to market faster. Actel is traded on the NASDAQ National Market under the symbol ACTL and is located at 955 East Arques Avenue, Sunnyvale, California 94086-4533. Telephone: [phone]. Internet: http://www.actel.com . -0-

Note to Editors: The Actel name and logo are trademarks of the Actel Corporation. All other are the property of their respective owners.

CONTACT: Actel Corporation

Michael Saniei or Chuck Byers, 408/739-1010

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