Synopsys Announces Next Generation, Automated PCI MacroCell Solution; Synopsys Deploys Design Reuse Methodology to Create Easy-to-Reuse Intellectual Property.MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 23, 1998--Synopsys, the design technology leader for complex IC design, today released the DesignWare(R) DWPCI(TM) MacroCell Solution, a complete, configurable, synthesizable and automated PCI (1) (Payment Card Industry) See PCI DSS.(2) (Peripheral Component Interconnect) The most widely used I/O bus (peripheral bus). interface core. The quality and ease of use of the new DWPCI are direct results of the company's tools and proven methodology for design reuse reuse - Using code developed for one application program in another application. Traditionally achieved using program libraries. Object-oriented programming offers reusability of code via its techniques of inheritance and genericity. , and the MacroCell is already receiving favorable fa·vor·a·ble adj. 1. Advantageous; helpful: favorable winds. 2. Encouraging; propitious: a favorable diagnosis. 3. evaluations from key customers. The DWPCI includes an automated user interface that quickly and easily guides the user through installation, configuration and synthesis of the PCI core. It automatically meets 66 MHz (MegaHertZ) One million cycles per second. It is used to measure the transmission speed of electronic devices, including channels, buses and the computer's internal clock. A one-megahertz clock (1 MHz) means some number of bits (16, 32, 64, etc. timing and supports the forthcoming version 2.2 of the PCI specification. The complete package also includes the industry-leading Logic Modeling PCI verification models and PCI SIG compliance test suite. "The DWPCI really demonstrates what can be accomplished when you thoroughly understand how IP is going to be used and take a systematic approach to designing for reuse," said Joerg Landmann, ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) Pronounced "a-sick." A chip that is custom designed for a specific application rather than a general-purpose chip such as a microprocessor. design manager of Xionics Document Technologies Inc. "We were surprised at how easy it is to configure the MacroCell and then automatically synthesize To create a whole or complete unit from parts or components. See synthesis. it to meet timing in our target silicon technology." DesignWare PCI MacroCell Version 1.0 -- A Lesson Well Learned Version 1.0 of the DesignWare PCI MacroCell was Synopsys' first effort in providing core-based IP. Based on customer feedback, it became apparent that the MacroCell was too difficult to configure and synthesize. In addition, it was extremely support-intensive for Synopsys. Leveraging its tools and the methodology for design reuse that it had proven with the success of the DesignWare Foundation Libraries and DW8051(TM) MacroCell, Synopsys re-designed the PCI MacroCell. The new DWPCI MacroCell Solution has undergone significant testing, including fabrication fabrication (fab´rikā´sh  n),n the construction or making of a restoration. in silicon and PCI SIG compliance, corner and random testing (programming, testing) random testing - A black-box testing approach in which software is tested by choosing an arbitrary subset of all possible input values. Random testing helps to avoid the problem of only testing what you know will work. . The result is a fully configurable MacroCell that is easy to use, easy to reuse and easy to support. "Because of our experience with the version 1.0 of the DesignWare PCI MacroCell, we are now on a mission to help our customers make the same types of improvements in their own IP creation and IP deployment methods," said Faysal Sohail, senior vice president and general manager of Synopsys' Design Architects Group. "As we move forward to 0.25-micron technologies, the industry will have to embrace design reuse in order to take full advantage of silicon capacity and meet time-to-market requirements. And just as importantly, the industry will have to adopt design-for-reuse methodologies and tools to leverage their own IP. As the only company that provides a complete portfolio of services, technology and programs for design reuse, we stand committed to helping customers realize the greatest return on their design investment." PCI MacroCell Features and Benefits The following features and benefits make the DWPCI MacroCell Solution an ideal choice for any PCI interface application: -0- -- Automated User Interface -- The DWPCI MacroCell comes with an interface that quickly and easily guides the user through installation, configuration and synthesis. The interface includes the captured knowledge and design intent of the developers and provides guidance throughout the implementation process. It's like having the developer and application engineer shipped with the product. -- Advanced PCI Capabilities -- The DWPCI features a full burst transfer rate (0-wait state) at 66 MHz timing for all MacroCell configurations in 0.35-micron technologies. Additionally, it supports version 2.2 of the PCI specification, with Power Management Interface (PMI See Private Mortgage Insurance. ) and Vital Product Data (VPD VPD ventricular premature depolarization; see ventricular premature complex, under complex. ) featurer. -- Flexibility -- The MacroCell is designed to support a wide range of PCI interface applications and is easily configured through the automated user interface. Before generating synthesizable HDL (Hardware Description Language) A language used to describe the functions of an electronic circuit for documentation, simulation or logic synthesis (or all three). Although many proprietary HDLs have been developed, Verilog and VHDL are the major standards. code and synthesis scripts, the DWPCI thoroughly checks all parameters. This single MacroCell solution supports all PCI applications (e.g., 64-bit PCI and 32-bit application interface). -- Extensive Verification Suite -- The complete verification suite provides productive testing with higher confidence and reduces the risk typically associated with incorporating third-party IP. The bus transaction-level programming is intuitive and leads to more thorough verification, and the bus monitors ensure valid transactions. To ensure its reliability, the DWPCI developers performed extensive simulation testing, implemented the core in silicon and validated it in 64-bit systems at the PCI SIG compliance workshop. -- Complex Transaction Handling -- The MacroCell handles complex PCI transactions and exception cases, allowing designers to concentrate on adding value to the design instead of implementing PCI features. Pricing and Availability The DWPCI MacroCell is available now. The list price is $75,000 for the first use and $32,500 for each subsequent use. Prices include Logic Modeling bus functional models and the verification suite. There are no per-unit royalties. Customers can find more information on the DWPCI on Insight, a web site for Synopsys customers with maintenance agreements at http://www.synopsys.com/insight/. About Synopsys Synopsys Inc., (NASDAQ NASDAQ in full National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations U.S. market for over-the-counter securities. Established in 1971 by the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD), NASDAQ is an automated quotation system that reports on :SNPS SNPS Space Nuclear Power System ), is a leading supplier of electronic design automation (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. ) solutions to the global electronics market. The company provides comprehensive design technologies to creators of advanced integrated circuits Integrated circuits Miniature electronic circuits produced within and upon a single semiconductor crystal, usually silicon. Integrated circuits range in complexity from simple logic circuits and amplifiers, about 1/20 in. (1. , electronic systems, and systems on a chip. Synopsys also provides consulting services Noun 1. consulting service - service provided by a professional advisor (e.g., a lawyer or doctor or CPA etc.) service - work done by one person or group that benefits another; "budget separately for goods and services" and support to its customers to streamline the overall design process and accelerate time to market. Additional information about Synopsys is available at http://www.synopsys.com. -0- Note to Editors: Synopsys and DesignWare are registered trademarks of Synopsys, Inc. DWPCI and DW8051 are trademarks of Synopsys, Inc. All other trademarks or registered trademarks mentioned in this release are the intellectual property of their respective owners. CONTACT: Synopsys, Inc. Monica Lawrence, 650/943-5144 monical@synopsys.com or The Hoffman Agency Karin Gilles, 408/975-3038 kgilles@hoffman.com |
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