Novilit Unveils Anyware, Next-Generation Software Development Environment for Communications Design.

Business/Technology Editors

Design Automation Conference 2002

Booth #1247

MARLBOROUGH, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 11, 2002

Accelerates Protocol Design;

Enables Better Software, Hardware, Firmware Development, Integration

Novilit(R), Inc., an electronic design automation (EDA) supplier based here, today took the wraps off AnyWare(TM), a next-generation development environment to accelerate the design cycle for embedded communications protocols. With the introduction of AnyWare, Novilit is advancing EDA technology for better development and integration of embedded communications hardware, firmware and software.

AnyWare addresses a trend in the communications industry -- the need for higher processing speeds, along with the need for communications protocols implemented in hardware rather than just software. AnyWare shortens design cycles, enables reusability and reduces costs.

It can be used to target a variety of implementation platforms, including application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), network processing units (NPUs), and general-purpose processors (GPPs).

"Design teams have reduced implementation time by 70 percent through the use of AnyWare," says Axel Tillmann, Novilit's chairman and chief executive officer (CEO). "By eliminating the most tedious tasks, designers can concentrate on creating their own unique product innovations and feature sets. We're offering communications companies the competitive edge they need to bring differentiated products to market more quickly and reliably."

Introducing Novilit's AnyWare

Created by experts in communications and compiler technology, AnyWare automatically generates a fully portable protocol stack that can produce output in a variety of different formats. It can be used to implement protocols for any network device or product, at any point within the system -- in a central processing unit (CPU), NPU, or digital signal processor (DSP). It can be used to instantiate protocols in ASICs or programmable devices such as FPGAs.

AnyWare, a patented technology, encompasses a suite of embedded protocol development tools. It has four main components -- a protocol definition language, a 40-stage compiler, a code editor, and a test and debug environment.

AnyWare makes use of Novilit's proprietary, high-level language for describing communications protocols -- the Communication Machine Definition Language (CMDL). CMDL allows design teams to develop and maintain a single design source for each protocol. Results can be compiled and implemented into any networking product, regardless of the target architecture.

AnyWare's Communication Machine Development Engine (CMDE) is a multi-stage compiler that converts CMDL protocol descriptions into working code. To develop a protocol stack using AnyWare, designers convert the protocol specification into CMDL. They then run CMDE, automatically generating code in C, C++, Assembler code, Java, as well as synthesizable VHDL or Verilog. The output is integrated into the design database and ready for implementation, offering designers true "target independence."

Refinements and changes to the design can be made at the chip level by making edits and recompiling the code. Protocol definitions can be shared across multiple platforms, from ASICs and FPGAs to NPUs and GPPs.

Another tool to assist developers is NLEdit, which provides enhanced code creation capabilities within AnyWare. NLEdit includes a smart copy-and-paste feature that enables the auto-creation of code from any standards-based or proprietary specification or abstract.

Finally, Novilit has addressed the test-and-debug phase critical to protocol development with NLView, a full-function protocol analyzer and debug environment. Code generated by CMDE can be tested with a full decode of the protocol as a by-product of the coding effort.

Novilit will exhibit for the first time at the 39th Design Automation Conference (DAC) and demonstrate AnyWare in Booth Number 1247. DAC runs Monday, June 10, through Wednesday, June 13, at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans.

Pricing and Availability

AnyWare is shipping now. Perpetual license pricing starts at $95,000 for a team development environment. Time and royalty-based licensing is available upon request. The AnyWare development environment is Windows 2000 and NT based. Support for Sun Microsystems Solaris operating system will be available in the third quarter of 2002.

To learn more about Novilit and its AnyWare development environment, visit the Novilit website at http://www.novilit.com. Or contact Graham Morrison, Novilit's vice president of marketing, at [e-mail] or [phone], Ext. 303.

About Novilit Inc.

Novilit(R), Inc. is an electronic design automation (EDA) company located in Marlborough, Mass. that is focused on delivering an embedded systems development environment for the design of networking and communications protocols. Novilit's team has extensive management, technical, sales and marketing experience within the communications industry to address the needs of this specialized market. Founded in 1998, Novilit has received $3.5 million in seed funding and venture financing from Echelon Ventures and T-Telematik Venture. Corporate headquarters are located at 230 Maple Street, Marlborough, MA 01752. Telephone [phone], fax [phone], email [e-mail]. Or, visit its website at http://www.novilit.com.

Novilit is a registered trademark of Novilit, Inc. AnyWare is a trademark of Novilit, Inc.