Aviom Chooses Actel as FPGA Supplier-of-Choice for Advanced Audio Network Products
Actel's Flash-Based ProASICPLUS Devices Offer Superior
Flexibility and Security Throughout Aviom's Entire Product Portfolio
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., August 16, 2004 —
Actel Corporation (Nasdaq:
ACTL) today announced that Aviom, Inc. has exclusively used its flash-based
ProASICPLUS field-programmable gate array (FPGA) devices throughout
its portfolio of audio network products, including Aviom's award-winning
A-16 and A-16R Personal Mixers. In addition, Actel's ProASICPLUS devices
are utilized within Aviom's Distributed Audio Network, based on Aviom's
proprietary A-Net data transmission protocol, which allows high-speed,
real-time transmission of multi-channel audio over a single Category
5 wire in both fixed and mobile audio scenarios. Chosen for superior
flexibility and security, Actel's live at power-up, nonvolatile ProASICPLUS devices
serve as the main engine throughout Aviom's audio network and perform
a wide variety of critical processing and control functions.
"Because Aviom is committed to the rapid development of new audio
technology, such as our A-net data transmission protocol, it is crucial
that we employ an FPGA that is not only highly flexible, but that also
offers the level of security needed to protect the proprietary intellectual
property that forms the foundation of our business," said Ray Legnini,
product manager at Aviom. "When considering our programmable logic
choices, Actel's ProASICPLUS FPGAs delivered on these vital
requirements and greatly enhanced our ability to quickly and securely
deliver cutting-edge solutions for audio problems found in both live-stage
settings and studio environments."
Martin Mason, director of marketing for flash products at Actel, said, "Actel's
significant presence throughout Aviom's entire portfolio of innovative
products illustrates our strength in providing customers with the required
technology to get their products to market quickly, while protecting
their valuable IP from piratization. Aviom's selection of our ProASICPLUS FPGAs
validates Actel's high level of quality in the professional and consumer
multimedia market."
Aviom has integrated Actel's APA150 device in several of its products,
including its line of personal mixers, control surfaces, transmitters,
and input and output modules. Within these systems, the APA150 device
performs key functions such as input control and LED scan output, audio
I/O control and media access control (MAC). Additionally, Actel's device
serves as the interface to the analog-to-digital (ADC) and digital-to-analog
(DAC) converters within Aviom's products.
About ProASICPLUS
The ProASICPLUS family consists of devices ranging from 75,000
to 1 million system gates. The combination of a fine-grained, single-chip
ASIC-like architecture and nonvolatile flash configuration memory makes
Actel's ProASICPLUS offering a strong ASIC alternative. The
devices are live at power-up, low power, highly secure, immune to neutron-induced
firm errors and require no separate configuration memory, all characteristics
shared by ASICs. The ProASICPLUS architecture and design methodology
support popular FPGA and ASIC tool flows, reducing time-to-market and
permitting designers to migrate easily between FPGA and ASIC solutions.
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
