TOOLS AND TECHNOLOGIES

Products and services for system design

Programmable microcontroller peripherals WSI announced the 16-bit version of its 256 Kbyte programmable microcontroller peripheral ICs. The PSD304R integrates 256 Kbytes of program store, extra I/O, programmable logic, and a programmable interface to any 16-bit MCU from Motorola, Intel, Philips, or others. The PSD304R operates in a variety of commercial and industrial applications. The 16-bit PSD304R is available now in 44-pin PLDCC and TQFP packages. The 200-ns PLDCC-packaged version is $10.28 in quantities of 5,000. WSI, Fremont, CA. Contact (510) 656-5400 or www.wsipsd.com.

Behavioral synthesis tool Dasys introduced RapidPath, a behavioral synthesis tool that incorporates physical design considerations into the RTL specification process. It targets datapath-intensive designs, taking a behavioral description as its input and producing RTL. It partitions the RTL specification into controller, datapath, memory, and random logic components. It also allows iterations between behavior and layout for design space exploration and feedback of actual physical layout information. A single floating license for RapidPath on Sun or HP is $95,000. Dasys Inc., Pittsburgh, PA. Contact Charlie Cump (415) 941-4200.

Gate array Microchip Technology introduced the QuickASIC gate array family. QuickASIC offers turnkey digital design conversion of a FPGA/CPLD device by transforming its netlist into a masked ASIC. It offers drop-in functional pin-for-pin replacement of FPGAs/CPLDs, seven array sizes ranging from 6 to 72 kgates, 78 to 292 pads, fewer than 7 ns typical, and 2.7- to 5.5-V operation. Available in 5,000-piece minimum quantities, pricing for the QuickASIC ranges from $4-6 per device for 6 kgates to $20-28 per device for 72 kgates. Microchip Technology Inc., Chandler, AZ. Contact (602) 786-7200.

RISC microprocessor NEC Electronics introduced the V _R 4101, a 64-bit MIPS RISC microprocessor. Targeted for use in personal digital assistants, notepad-type devices, battery operated information units, digital cameras, set-top boxes, printers, etc., the V _R 4101 offers up to 132 MIPS/Watt performance at 3.3 V. It has a die size of 6.5 x 6.5 mm, an operating voltage range of 3.0 to 3.6 V, and its internal clock operates at 33 MHz. It is $25 per unit in volumes of 100,000. NEC Electronics Inc., Mountain View, CA. Contact NEC's Literature Hotline: (800) 366-9722.

SuperBGA package Altera and Amkor/Anam announced the availability of the Altera Flex 10K devices in Amkor/Anam's SuperBGA package. The IC package is a low-profile, high-power ball grid array (BGA) that provides a smaller outline with higher pin counts than other surface mount packages. It has an integrated copper heat sink and advanced substrate design for higher electrical and thermal performance. Altera will offer SBGAs for the FLEX 10K family of devices to permit changing to other devices in the product family without changing I/O or board layout. The EPF10K50 will be the first in the SuperBGA package. Pricing for units of 100 start at $413. Altera Corp., San Jose, CA. Contact (408) 894-7000, (800)-9-ALTERA, or www.altera.com. For further information on the packaging, contact Amkor/Anam (602) 821-5000 or www.amcor.com.

Cycle-based simulator Synopsys .com/isdweb/&lf=isd-sendtolog"> Synopsys announced the Cyclone RTL cycle-based simulator for both VHDL and Verilog. The Cyclone cycle-based simulator uses high-level cache-based techniques to accelerate not only design but RTL testbenches and memories as well. Cyclone has a "Rewind" feature that allows the * designer to instantly jump back to any prior point in the simulation timeline. "Trace-On-Demand" debug permits users to trace only desired signals, and only for the period of interest. Production shipments of Cyclone for VHDL are available now. The Verilog version will be available in Q1 of 1997. Pricing is set at $60,000, which includes access to either VHDL or Verilog. Future versions will support both languages at the same time. Synopsys .com/isdweb/&lf=isd-sendtolog"> Synopsys Inc. , Mountain View, CA. Contact (800) 388-9125.

0.18-µm ASIC Texas Instruments (TI) unveiled its 0.18-µm ASIC product. Using TI's 125-million transistor TImeline Technology, the TGC6000 Series CMOS gate array, TEC6000 Series CMOS embedded array, and TSC6000 standard cell families will deliver a combination of system integration and ultra-low power capabilities. These ASIC families will support microprocessor speeds in excess of 500 MHz and multiple Gb/s interfaces. Initial gate array beta designs are underway. First prototype shipments are forecast for mid-1997. Initial standard cell designs are planned for the second half of 1997. Texas Instruments Inc., Semiconductor Group, Denver, CO. Contact TI's Literature Response Center: (800) 477-8924 x4500.

GaAs amplifiers Oki Semiconductor announced the newest members of its family of 3-V GaAs RF products, which are characterized for 850 MHz to 2.4 GHz high-efficiency, digital communications systems at 3 V. The family of amplifiers comprises two driver amplifiers, the KGF1633 and the KGF1631, and one power amplifier, the KGF1658. Target applications include wireless industrial, scientific and medical, as well as spread spectrum and microwave cellular voice/data systems. Oki Semiconductor, Sunnyvale, CA. Contact (800) OKI-6388 or www.okisemi.com.

0.35-µm libraries Compass Design Automation announced availability of its 0.35-µm Passport logical and physical libraries, providing designers with foundry-portable silicon technology. The Passport libraries include standard cells; RAM, ROM, and datapath compilers; and other interface functions. Current foundry support incudes Chartered Semiconductor, LG Semicon, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), and United Microelectronics Corp. (UMC). The front-end design kits will be delivered to designers at no charge via the worldwide web (WWW). Pricing for the libraries, including full physical layouts, starts at $350,000. Compass Design Automation Inc., San Jose, CA. Contact (408) 433-4880 or www.compass-da.com

integrated system design  October 1996