Tools and Technology

Products and services for IC and electronic system design

FPGA compiler FPGA Compiler II Altera Edition 3.2.1 is synthesis software targeting Altera's Flex and APEX PLDs, yielding improvement in quality of results over synthesis tools without PLD-specific optimization. The compiler is the result of a partnership between Synopsys and Altera to provide Synopsys Design Compiler users with software that allows them to explore the benefits of programmable logic without altering their existing design flow. The new software contains all the features and options of Synopsys's FPGA Compiler II product, specialized for Altera PLDs, and allows customers to migrate their ASIC designs to Altera's high-density PLDs using the same design files. The product is available for free to in-maintenance Design Compiler customers for a year. Synopsys, Inc., Mountain View, Calif. Contact (800) 388-9125 or www.synopsys.com; Altera Corp., San Jose, Calif. Contact (800) 443-7610 or www.altera.com.

Code development tool Enhanced development tool support has been added to the suite of tools used to develop systems based on the Scenix SX-series microcontrollers. The SASM SX Cross Assembler ensures that virtual peripheral software modules are reusable within any design environment. Expanded development tools, including a new debugger and device programmers, offer support from third-party vendors. The new assembler converts SX symbolic assembly language into object code that is readable by the MS-DOS operating system used on IBM PC-compatible systems. The assembler facilitates the generation of virtual peripheral software modules, provides a common code environment, and ensures that the code modules can be easily reused in any new SX system design. The SASM assembler, which supplements an existing assembler from Parallax, Inc., is free and can be downloaded from the Scenix web site. Scenix Semiconductor, Inc., Santa Clara, Calif. Contact (408) 327-8888 or www.scenix.com.

Embedded memory compiler The Custom-Touch STAR, an embedded memory compiler, includes redundancy to ensure the high yield of SRAM memory blocks in system-on-a-chip (SOC) designs. The product allows customers to embed a number of SRAM memory blocks, totaling one megabit or more, into SOC designs without sacrificing area, speed, or power while improving yield. The product has redundant rows and columns within the memory. The redundant locations are dormant unless defects are found in silicon after production. Without redundancy, defects in silicon cause not only the memory, but the entire SOC, to fail. With Custom-Touch STAR, the previously unused redundant memory locations can be activated to repair the defects and increase the yield in production. In addition to redundancy, the product incorporates technology from Virage's Self-Testable Memory Cores (STMC). Custom-Touch STAR is a single-port, synchronous SRAM compiler, with a range of 4 Kbits to 1 Mbit. Virage expects that a 1-Mbit instance designed with this compiler will operate at 250 MHz under worst-case operating conditions. It features a shared redundancy scheme in which redundant locations can be auto-determined by the compiler based on defect heuristics or user-specified based on redundancy analysis. The compiler generates redundant locations for each memory instance and also a separate laser-programmable fusebox that can be shared by a group of memory blocks. Because redundant locations are also not immune to defects, Virage's architecture for redundancy allows isolated testing of the redundant locations prior to blowing the fuses when a defective memory is being repaired. The product also includes an asynchronous write-through mode to allow testing of interface shadow logic, which can be used to test the non-memory parts of an SOC. Custom-Touch STAR will be available in December 1999 on popular foundries in a 0.18-µm process. Front-end EDA models are available this month. Pricing for COT customers targeting popular foundries starts at $400,000 for a single, node-locked license. With the optional STMC features, pricing starts at $495,000. Virage Logic, Fremont, Calif. Contact (877) 360-6690 (toll free) or www.viragelogic.com.

Test and analysis tool Codetest is a HW-In-Circuit test and analysis tools for Windows CE operating system, giving developers of Windows CE-based applications optimum visibility into the interaction between applications, OS, and drivers. The tool allows the embedded developer to verify application software functionality and measure real-time performance faster than traditional software trace and debug tools. Codetest for Windows CE includes trace, coverage, and performance software modules for CEPC, 486, and PPC and is an addition to the Codeoptix family of software visibility tools. Codetest for Windows CE also supports SH3-based processors such as the 7708 and 7709. Windows CE support for Codetest HW-In-Circuit is available now. Pricing begins at $3,000 for the individual performance, trace, and statement coverage modules. Hardware probes for the 486, PPC, SH3, and CEPC platforms are available today with prices at $9,800. Pricing in markets outside the United States is available from the local distributor. Applied Microsystems, Redmond, Wash. Contact (800) 426-3925 or www.amc.com.

To voice an opinion on this or any other article in Integrated System Design, please e-mail your comments to jeff@isdmag.com.