Programmable Logic


First 0,18 µm embeddable, reprogrammable cores for IP program

14 March 2001 Programmable Logic

Actel has announced it is joining UMC's Gold IP program with its VariCore embedded programmable gate array (EPGA) star IP cores. Simultaneously, Actel said it has taped out a VariCore EPGA IP test chip in UMC's 0,18 mm fab in Taiwan.

VariCore IP is the first complete (front end to back end), commercially available product of its kind in 0,18 mm technology. The production version of the VariCore Compiler design suite is currently available, with the production version of the cores and a VariCore EPGA Developer's Kit with test chip and evaluation board expected soon.

"We are encouraged by the initial reception we have received from our customers and a world-leading semiconductor foundry, UMC, for these cores. Being the first to market with a complete solution that satisfies the growing demand for adding reconfigurability to ASICs and ASSPs is an exciting prospect for Actel," stated Dr. Yankin Tanurhan, director of embedded FPGA at Actel.

"The industry and our customers are migrating to more intricate SoC designs, and accordingly the demand for reconfigurable embedded SoCs is increasing," said Dr. Jim Ballingall, Vice President of worldwide marketing at UMC. "Actel's VariCore IP appears to be an innovative and unique offering for the ASIC and ASSP markets, particularly as the industry moves toward embedded logic designs."

Actel's embeddable reprogrammable EPGA logic cores are based on SRAM technology and are described by Actel as 'soft hardware'. Actel will license VariCore EPGA directly to UMC customers. The relatively new market of SoC products containing embedded programmability is likely to grow to as much as $2,4 billion in annual revenue by the end of 2004, as predicted by inSearch Research, says Actel.

For further information contact Kobus van Rooyen, (011) 315 8316, [email protected]



Credit(s)



Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

Siemens acquires Canopus AI
ASIC Design Services News
The acquisition extends Siemens’ comprehensive EDA software portfolio with computational metrology and inspection to help chipmakers solve critical technical challenges in semiconductor manufacturing.

Read more...
Aligning clocks over large distances
ASIC Design Services Test & Measurement
SkyWire technology from Microchip makes it easier to align and compare clocks within nanoseconds across geographic locations.

Read more...
High-accuracy time transfer solution
ASIC Design Services Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
Microchip Technology recently announced the release of the TimeProvider 4500 v3 grandmaster clock (TP4500) designed to deliver sub-nanosecond accuracy for time distribution across 800 km long-haul optical transmission.

Read more...
New RT PolarFire device qualifications
ASIC Design Services DSP, Micros & Memory
Microchip expands space-qualified FPGA portfolio with new RT PolarFire device qualifications and SoC availability.

Read more...
Siemens’ software selected for verification and validation
ASIC Design Services Design Automation
Siemens Digital Industries Software recently announced that Veloce Strato CS and Veloce proFPGA CS have been deployed at Arm, a longtime user of Veloce, as part of its design flow for Arm Neoverse Compute Subsystems.

Read more...
XJTAG launches two new Flash programmers
ASIC Design Services DSP, Micros & Memory
XJTAG has announced XJExpress and XJExpress-FPGA, a pair of Flash programmers perfect for development, debug and in-service applications.

Read more...
Siemens unveils groundbreaking Tessent AnalogTest software
ASIC Design Services Design Automation
Siemens Digital Industries Software recently introduced Tessent AnalogTest software - an innovative solution that reduces pattern generation time for analogue circuit tests from months to days.

Read more...
Advanced PMIC for high-performance AI applications
ASIC Design Services Power Electronics / Power Management
Microchip Technology has announced the MCP16701, a Power Management Integrated Circuit (PMIC) designed to meet the needs of high-performance MPU and FPGA designers.

Read more...
PolarFire SoC FPGAs achieve AEC-Q100 qualification
ASIC Design Services DSP, Micros & Memory
Microchip Technology’s PolarFire SoC FPGAs have earned the Automotive Electronics Council AEC-Q100 qualification.

Read more...
MPLAB PICkit Basic
ASIC Design Services Design Automation
To make its robust programming and debugging capabilities accessible to a wider range of engineers, Microchip Technology has launched the MPLAB PICkit Basic in-circuit debugger.

Read more...









While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.




© Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd | All Rights Reserved