EDA Blog Newsletter

Android Platform for Mobile Devices Posted: 13 Nov 2007 11:15 PM CST The Open Handset Alliance recently announced the Android platform, which is an open and comprehensive platform for mobile devices. Through Android, developers, wireless operators, and handset manufacturers will be better positioned to bring to market innovative new products faster and at a much lower cost. The end result will be a mobile platform that will enable wireless operators and manufacturers to give their customers better, more personal, and more flexible mobile experiences. The Android platform is a fully integrated mobile "software stack" that consists of an operating system, middleware, user-friendly interface, and applications. The new platform will be made available under one of the most progressive, developer-friendly open-source licenses, which gives mobile operators and device manufacturers significant freedom and flexibility to design products. The Alliance will soon release an early access software development kit to provide developers with the tools necessary to create innovative and compelling applications for the platform. Handset manufacturers and wireless operators will be free to customize Android in order to bring to market innovative new products faster and at a much lower cost. Developers will have complete access to handset capabilities and tools that will enable them to build more compelling and user-friendly services, bringing the Internet developer model to the mobile space. Consumers worldwide will have access to less expensive mobile devices that feature more compelling services, rich Internet applications and easier-to-use interfaces — ultimately creating a superior mobile experience. The Open Handset Alliance is a multinational alliance of technology and mobile industry leaders. The goal of the Alliance is to foster innovation on mobile devices and give consumers a far better user experience than much of what is available on today's mobile platforms. Founding members of the Open Handset Alliance are Aplix, Ascender Corporation, Audience, Broadcom, China Mobile, eBay, Esmertec, Google, HTC, Intel, KDDI, LivingImage, LG, Marvell, Motorola, NMS Communications, Noser, NTT DoCoMo Inc., Nuance, Nvidia, PacketVideo, Qualcomm, Samsung, SiRF, SkyPop, SONiVOX, Sprint Nextel, Synaptics, TAT - The Astonishing Tribe, Telecom Italia, Telefónica, Texas Instruments, T-Mobile, and Wind River. More info: Open Handset Alliance Free Trade Publications : : Jobs : : EDA Blog : : FPGA Blog : : Embedded Star : : EDA Geek © 2007 Online Destiny Ltd : : EDA Blog is a trademark of Online Destiny Ltd

News - 2007.11.14 - Early Edition Posted: 13 Nov 2007 11:01 PM CST Agilent Introduces Advanced Design System 2008 EDA Software Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE:A) announced Advanced Design System release 2008. Advanced Design System (ADS) is an industry-leading high-frequency, high-speed electronic design automation (EDA) software platform. This release contains productivity breakthroughs for faster communications product design. Socle Debuts ARM 9 Development Kit for Chartered's 65nm Low-Power Process Socle Technology Corporation, a leading SoC design services company in Taiwan, announced the availability of a development kit for designers targeting the ARM 9(TM) family processor for the 65-nanometer (nm) low-power (LP) manufacturing process available from Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing Ltd.(NASDAQ:CHRT) (SGX:CHARTERED). The kit features a hardened ARM926EJ-S(TM) processor, capable of operating at more than 500MHz, and all the necessary peripheral IP to create a feature-rich high-performance, low-power ARM®technology-based SoC. Impulse Announces C-to-FPGA Compiler Support for Xilinx MicroBlaze Impulse Accelerated Technologies, Inc. announced C-to-FPGA compiler support for the Xilinx® MicroBlaze(TM) v7 processor with MMU. The Impulse software tools allow embedded systems developers to create hardware-accelerated, single-chip applications that take advantage of the new MicroBlaze processor features and C-to-hardware acceleration for complex, performance-critical applications. PHYTEC Releases phyCORE-i.MX31 SBC with Adeneo Embedded CE 6.0 BSP PHYTEC announces the release of its new phyCORE®-i.MX31 Single Board Computer (SBC) subassembly. The phyCORE-i.MX31 is an ARM-11 based, small form factor, OEMable module populated with the Freescale i.MX31: a high performance multimedia applications processor. Graphics acceleration, state-of-the-art power management, Floating Point Unit, and rich peripherals such as Ethernet, High Speed USB, and integrated LCD controller make this module the ideal candidate for Windows® Embedded CE device applications. Advansus Launches 7 Scalable Barebone Systems at Embedded Technology Advansus, a joint-venture company of ASUS and Advantech, is introducing seven new system products, and a series of industrial motherboards at Embedded Technology 2007, November 14-16 in Tokyo, Japan. Simultaneously, Advansus is excited about demonstrating its line of digital signage and surveillance solutions, all in collaboration with three industry-leading companies: Network Vision Creates IntraVUE Lite for Control Networks The explosion of Ethernet devices at the control and I/O level has created a need for a cost effective and scalable diagnostic tool that can be used by control engineers and technicians. Network Vision has responded by adopting a version of IntraVUE which will be targeted at Control or I/O networks, as well as many OEM systems. CipherOptics Selects RMI's XLR Processor for CipherEngine Raza Microelectronics®, Inc. (RMI), the leading supplier of multi-core multi-threaded processors for networking, communications and consumer applications, and CipherOptics®, Inc., the leading Innovator of Compliance Grade Data Protection Solutions, announced that CipherOptics has selected RMI's XLR Processor as part of its CipherEngine Solution. Mentor Graphics, TSMC Introduce 65nm RF Process Design Kit Mentor Graphics Corporation (Nasdaq:MENT) and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (NYSE:TSM) announced the release of a 65nm RF process design kit. The design kit combines the latest 65 nanometer (nm) mixed-signal and RF process technology from TSMC with Mentor's new ICStudio(TM) custom integrated circuit (IC) design platform. Faraday Adopts Cadence Voltagestorm Power Analysis Technology Cadence Design Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CDNS), the leader in global electronic-design innovation, and Faraday Technology Corporation (TAIEX: 3035), a leading fabless ASIC and silicon intellectual property (SIP) provider, announced that Faraday has adopted the Cadence® VoltageStorm® power analysis technology for low-power signoff and to support Faraday's leading-edge low-power designs. Faraday uses VoltageStorm's static and dynamic power analysis to validate its advanced low-power design methodology, which includes power gating, de-coupling capacitance optimization, and multi-supply, multi-voltage (MSMV) scaling. TSMC Reduces Design-to-Mask Cycle-time with Synopsys PCX Technology Synopsys, Inc. (NASDAQ: SNPS), a world leader in software and IP for semiconductor design and manufacturing, announced that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. (TAIEX: 2330; NYSE: TSM) successfully implemented Synopsys' new PCX technology to reduce design-to-mask cycle-time for its advanced process technologies. Proteus-CATS® data eXchange (PCX) technology is a highly scalable parallel interface technology designed to reduce data communication overhead and turnaround time between Synopsys' Proteus optical proximity correction (OPC) and CATS mask data preparation (MDP) software. The advantage of TSMC's in-house mask services can be further enhanced by shortening the mask making cycle time, which will be difficult for the merchant maskshops to match. TI Creates MSP430 Microcontrollers for Handheld Medical Applications Low-power embedded technology reaches a new level of integration and affordability as Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI) (NYSE: TXN) announces a system-on-chip (SoC) microcontroller unit (MCU) that provides a complete signal chain for handheld medical applications. The new MSP430FG4270 MCU integrates a comprehensive range of functions needed to design low cost portable medical diagnostic equipment. The generous on-chip memory and a full suite of integrated analog peripherals keep component costs and system space to a minimum in portable applications such as personal blood pressure monitors, spirometers, pulsoximeters and heart rate monitors. Opal-RT Launches HILBOX FX FPGA Accelerator for xPC Target Opal-RT Technologies Inc., the leading provider of PC-based distributed real-time simulation and hardware-in-the-loop testing systems, announced HILBOX FX, an FPGA processor-based solution that integrates industrial computer systems using xPC Target from The Mathwork Inc. Xilinx Announces Next Generation Embedded Processing Solutions Xilinx(R), Inc. (Nasdaq: XLNX), the world's leading provider of programmable solutions, announced its next generation Embedded Processing Solutions, providing design teams with enhanced system level performance, expanded flexibility and increased design environment productivity covering a broad range of applications. Anchored by an enhanced 32-128 bit Processor Local Bus (PLB), a component of the IBM CoreConnect(TM) bus standard, the platform delivers increased performance and scalability for future performance and feature requirements from Xilinx. The award-winning MicroBlaze(TM) 32-bit processor now includes the industry's only configurable Memory Management Unit (MMU) that enables commercial-grade operating system (OS) support and is supported by a host of upgraded IP and design tools delivered with the Embedded Development Kit (EDK) version 9.2. Synopsys Offers Altera's Nios II Processor Core for ASIC Designs Altera Corporation (NASDAQ: ALTR) and Synopsys, Inc., (NASDAQ: SNPS) announced that Altera's popular Nios® II processor core will be available for licensing through Synopsys' DesignWare® Star IP Program. Expanding on Altera's existing FPGA and HardCopy® structured ASIC product deployment options, this new offering enables Nios II users to migrate their designs to standard cell ASICs. The Nios II processor core is the most widely used FPGA-based processor, with more than 5,000 electronics manufacturers—including the world's top electronics OEMs—in the customer base. Free Trade Publications : : Jobs : : EDA Blog : : FPGA Blog : : Embedded Star : : EDA Geek © 2007 Online Destiny Ltd : : EDA Blog is a trademark of Online Destiny Ltd

Embedded Multi-Core CPU Market Posted: 13 Nov 2007 12:56 PM CST According to Venture Development Corporation (VDC), revenue growth for multi-core CPUs in embedded applications is projected to be strong through 2011. Multi-core CPU revenues from embedded in 2011 will be over six times that of 2007 multi-core revenues and over 44 times 2006 levels. The embedded market is shifting from traditional single-core processors to processors with multiple cores. Single-core processors and the performance imperative of Moore's Law may be approaching an upper limit in terms of adding increasing processing power simply by increasing clock speeds. In response to this problem, processor suppliers have turned to multi-core architectures in order to achieve performance gains. Multi-core processors have the potential of increasing processing performance while reducing processor footprints and providing better thermal characteristics. There is a great deal of opportunities in the embedded multi-core market. However, a major gap currently exists between multi-core silicon and software enabled to take advantage of the available performance. More info: VDC » Free Trade Publications : : Jobs : : EDA Blog : : FPGA Blog : : Embedded Star : : EDA Geek © 2007 Online Destiny Ltd : : EDA Blog is a trademark of Online Destiny Ltd

EDA News - 2007.11.13 Posted: 13 Nov 2007 12:43 PM CST RadiSys Launches Procelerant RMS420-5000XS Embedded Quad-Core Server RadiSys Corporation (NASDAQ:RSYS), a leading global provider of advanced embedded solutions, announced the introduction of a new Procelerant® Quad-core embedded server, the industry's first server to incorporate the latest Intel® Quad-core Xeon® processors. Ideally suited for medical and other imaging, test and measurement, and other digital signal processing applications, the Procelerant RMS420-5000XSL Quad-core server supports powerful image processing at a higher resolution and with greater speed than previous embedded servers. 3DLABS Unveils Linux 2.6.21 Software Development Kit for DMS-02 3DLABS Semiconductor, a pioneer in media-rich application processors, announced the immediate availability of its Linux 2.6.21 based Software Development Kit (SDK), bringing the latest open source innovations to developers and device makers using its DMS-02 processor to deliver unrivalled application and media processing performance within low power environments. Nallatech Showcases Slipstream FSB FPGA Module at Supercomputing Nallatech, the domain expert in high-performance FPGA computing solutions, announced that it will showcase its 'Slipstream' Front Side Bus (FSB) FPGA module and conduct joint demonstrations with partners Xilinx and Mitrionics at Supercomputing 2007. Nallatech is the first licensee of the Xilinx Front Side Bus FPGA-based acceleration solution. Nallatech's 'Slipstream' module features the latest 65nm Virtex-5 FPGA technology from Xilinx and supplies high speed direct access to the Quad-Core Intel® Xeon® 7300 processor-based server allowing users to significantly accelerate the performance of computationally intensive algorithms whilst reducing latency and overall system power consumption. IDT Introduces Four PCI Express Gen2 Switches IDT® (Integrated Device Technology, Inc.; NASDAQ: IDTI), a leading provider of essential mixed signal semiconductor solutions that enrich the digital media experience, continues to extend its Gen2 PCI Express® (PCIe®) switch leadership position with the ongoing development and delivery of high-performing devices. IDT today introduces four new PCIe switching solutions optimized to address the I/O connectivity challenges faced in the volume and value server markets. Specifically, the new IDT PCI Express Gen2 devices provide industry-leading performance-per-watt and lowest total power consumption critical for server markets. Moreover, the devices enable the cost-effective development of new systems by simplifying board layout, reducing system design and manufacturing cost, thus speeding time to market. RF Engines Optimizes FPGA Resources with CORDIC IP Core RF Engines Limited (RFEL), the specialists in high performance signal processing designs, has announced the availability of its latest 'Vector Rotation/Translation' IP core product. This core offers a sub-set of the features provided by the traditional CORDIC algorithm and dependant on the application, delivers significant savings in cost, power and size. Tensilica's HiFi 2 Audio Engine to Support Blu-ray Disc, HD DVD Tensilica(R), Inc. and DTS, Inc. (NASDAQ:DTSI) announced that the two companies have entered into an agreement for Tensilica to provide leading-edge DTS technologies for both Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD and other high end consumer audio applications with Tensilica's HiFi 2 Audio Engine, the most popular commercial audio DSP core for system-on-chip (SOC) designs. Mercury, NVIDIA Team on Simultaneous Computation, Visualization for E&P Mercury Computer Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: MRCY) and NVIDIA® Corporation (NASDAQ: NVDA) announced a collaboration to combine their expertise to provide exploration and production (E&P) application developers with a comprehensive solution for simultaneous computation and visualization of huge 3D seismic data sets, or any highly demanding computing tasks in the interpretation and simulation workflows. Microchip Rolls Out Volatile Digital Potentiometers with SPI Interface Microchip Technology Inc., a leading provider of microcontroller and analog semiconductors, announced the MCP4131/2, MCP4231/2, MCP4151/2 and MCP4251/2 (MCP41/423X and MCP41/425X) digital potentiometers. The volatile, 7- and 8-bit devices have a SPI interface and are specified over the entire extended temperature range of -40 to 125 degrees Celsius. They feature a low static current consumption of just 1 microampere, maximum, and help extend battery life in a variety of consumer and industrial electronic applications. Agilent, Elektrobit Team on Toolset for FlexRay Automotive Networks Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE:A) announced a partnership to license certain automotive-network products in the Elektrobit Corp. (EB)(OMX:EBGV1) FlexRay product line, technology that EB gained as part of the DECOMSYS GmbH acquisition earlier this year. The cooperation will create an integrated design and test toolset for software and test engineers. Agilent also introduced a strengthened suite of FlexRay test product offerings. MeshNetics Launches Amplified ZigBee ZigBit Amp Module MeshNetics, a leading provider of ZigBee modules and embedded software for OEMs and system integrators, unveiled its new amplified ZigBee / 802.15.4 2.4GHz RF module at the Productronica show in Munich, Germany. RF modules can use amplifiers to extend their operating range, but the tradeoff has always been an increase in power consumption. The new ZigBit Amp module from MeshNetics is the first to successfully combine the seemingly incompatible qualities of high range and low power. Range tests showed the new ZigBit Amp module achieved a best-in-class outdoor line of sight range of 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) while keeping power consumption at a remarkably low level: only 10 µA in the sleep mode, 23 mA in receive mode, and 60 mA in transmit mode. The ZigBit Amp module's impressive performance is attributed to its unique RF design and the outperforming link budget of 124 dB, boosted by the use of the low-power amplifier. NI Simplifies FPGA Development with New Software, Hardware IP National Instruments (Nasdaq:NATI) announced a new suite of software and hardware intellectual property (IP) to make using field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) in measurement, control and signal processing applications easier. Collaborating with its worldwide network of customers, integrators and National Instruments Alliance Partners, NI is now making available the FPGA IPNet to provide an open forum for sharing LabVIEW FPGA IP and new hardware I/O modules for analog and digital I/O, communication buses/protocols and motion control. The newly available resources make it easier for engineers and scientists without hardware design experience to integrate FPGA technology into their test and control applications. Avnet Announces Xilinx Virtex-5 LXT/SXT Development Kit Avnet Electronics Marketing Americas, a part of Avnet, Inc. (NYSE: AVT), announces the release of the Xilinx® Virtex(TM)-5 LXT/SXT Development Kit – a complete development platform for designing and verifying applications based on the Xilinx Virtex-5 LXT and SXT Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) families. DiaLite Debug Tool Integrates with Mentor's Precision FPGA Synthesis Temento Systems announced the introduction of DiaLite Precision, a hardware FPGA debug solution tightly integrated with the Precision FPGA synthesis product from Mentor Graphics Corporation (NASDAQ: MENT). DiaLite Precision significantly improves a designer's ability to detect, track, and repair faults in complex FPGA designs. A special trial program will be made available to Precision customers. Free Trade Publications : : Jobs : : EDA Blog : : FPGA Blog : : Embedded Star : : EDA Geek © 2007 Online Destiny Ltd : : EDA Blog is a trademark of Online Destiny Ltd

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