Unique Memec Delivers Automotive Development Kit to Support Actel FPGAs
Module Incorporates Actel SX-A FPGAs and Memec Design's Controller
Area Network IP Core to Ease Automotive System Design
SAN DIEGO and MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., February 09, 2004 —
Actel
Corporation (Nasdaq: ACTL) and Unique Memec today announced the availability
of the Actel Automotive Development Kit, a complete solution that enables
engineers to use Actel field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) to create
designs for automotive applications. Developed by Memec Design and distributed
globally by Unique Memec, the kit combines an Actel FPGA-based development
board with Memec Design's controller area network (CAN) intellectual
property (IP) core. The development kit includes four CAN drivers and
Actel's automotive-grade SX-A FPGA devices in the Memec Design P160 adapter
card form-factor.
"CAN is now the serial bus standard of choice for the automotive
industries in Europe, North America and Asia-Pacific," said Phil
Sansone, president, Unique Memec Americas. "With this development
kit, including Memec Design's CAN IP core and Actel's FPGAs, Unique Memec
has taken the guesswork out of designing CAN-based systems. We expect
designers to use the Actel Automotive Development Kit to quickly make
their automotive concepts a reality and get their designs out on the
road."
Barry Marsh, vice president, product marketing at Actel, said, "Actel
is committed to providing robust, high-reliability solutions to the automotive
market. Combining our automotive temperature range SX-A FPGAs with Memec
Design's proven intellectual property optimized for our programmable
logic devices and Unique Memec's development system, we can deliver a
comprehensive, best-in-class solution that simplifies designs and shortens
time to market."
The Actel Automotive Development Kit is customized for use with Actel's
low-power, high-performance SX-A family of antifuse-based FPGAs qualified
for operation at ambient temperatures from -40º C to 125º C
and junction temperatures up to 150°C. These automotive-grade devices
are optimized for in-cab control and interconnect functions for a range
of telematic applications, such as navigation, speech recognition, control/comfort
systems, passenger monitors, and heads-up displays.
The Actel Automotive Development Kit is a standalone module that provides
four CAN drivers and an Actel SX-A device in the Memec Design P160 adapter
card form-factor. Although a standalone system, the Memec Design adapter
card form-factor will be compatible with future automotive FPGA system
boards. The module features an Actel A54SX72A FPGA in a 208-pin PQFP
package. It can be assembled with a socket or with the FPGA directly
mounted on the board using the same footprint. In addition to the CAN
controller IP core, the FPGA design also incorporates Memec Design's
6809 processor IP core, which operates the CAN demo from external flash
memory and UART IP core for communications with the host computer. The
module also includes a header for Actel's Silicon Explorer II debugging
system, enabling 100 percent real-time observation and analysis of a
device's internal logic nodes without wasted design iterations.
Pricing and Availability
The Memec Design Actel Automotive Development Kit is immediately available
from Unique Memec for $250. A single-use license of Memec's CAN core
is available for licensing from Memec. Please access www.unique.na.memec.com/actel_amr
or call 1-800-711-8841 for more information.
About Unique Memec
Unique Memec is a member of The Memec
Group, the world's leading distributor of advanced-technology semiconductors.
A focused line card enables Unique Memec to provide its OEM customer
base with vast product knowledge, design expertise and a team of highly
trained field applications engineers that specializes in proprietary
technologies and system-level solutions. When faced with critical time-to-market
constraints, Unique Memec analyzes customer design schedules, anticipates
requirements, and orders materials accordingly, ensuring successful product
introduction. Unique Memec also invests in technical resources and programs
with high return on investment, which adds value to and creates demand
for their suppliers' products. Additional information is available on
the Web at http://www.unique.memec.com.
About Actel
Actel Corporation is a supplier
of innovative programmable logic solutions, including field-programmable
gate arrays (FPGAs) based on antifuse and flash technologies, high-performance
intellectual property (IP) cores, software development tools and design
services, targeted for the high-speed communications, application-specific
integrated circuit (ASIC) replacement and radiation-tolerant markets.
Founded in 1985, Actel employs more than 500 people worldwide. The
Company is traded on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol ACTL
and is headquartered at 2061 Stierlin Court, Mountain View, CA, 94043-4655.
Telephone: 888-99-ACTEL (992-2835). Internet: http://www.actel.com.
Contact: Stephanie Mrus, Actel Corporation, 650.318.4614
