Altera and Synplicity boost programmable IP

Altera and Synplicity have announced a multilevel partnership that will enhance the implementation of intellectual property (IP) in system-on-a-programmable-chip (SOPC) applications.

Altera and Synplicity have announced a multilevel partnership that will enhance the implementation of intellectual property (IP) in system-on-a-programmable-chip (SOPC) applications.

Synplicity has agreed to provide Synplify Pro and Amplify licenses to Altera for use in the development of Altera's MegaCore functions.

In addition, Synplicity has agreed to provide a special version of its synthesis software to Altera customers for use with Altera's encrypted MegaCore functions.

"As more customers adopt our SOPC solutions, the development methodology is critical in the successful implementation and integration of IP", said Craig Lytle, Altera vice president of intellectual property business unit.

"Leveraging Synplicity's synthesis technology for the development of our MegaCore functions will enable Altera to continue to deliver the highest performance cores to our customers.

Our customers, in turn, will have access to Synplicity synthesis technology when integrating our MegaCore functions in their SOPC designs".

Altera's MegaWizard technology allows users to parameterise MegaCore functions to meet specific design objectives, greatly reducing the time spent in design.

In addition, the MegaWizard parameters can be passed through to third-party design tools, providing a highly integrated design solution.

As a result of the agreement, the companies expect Altera customers will be able to use Synplicity synthesis technology to synthesise encrypted MegaCore functions to achieve superior results.

"Partnering with Altera, the pioneer of system-on-a-programmable-chip products, is consistent with our strategy to provide synthesis technology at both the development and implementation stages of IP use," said Joe Gianelli, director of channel marketing at Synplicity.

"We are looking forward to working with Altera to provide an advanced design synthesis flow so that our mutual customers can achieve high performance and efficiency from Altera's MegaCore functions".

In addition, under terms of the agreement, Altera will also distribute evaluation copies of selected Synplicity synthesis products with the Quartus II development software, which provides a comprehensive environment for SOPC design.

Altera's Quartus II software supports the APEX device family and Excalibur embedded processor solutions and the Mercury family of programmable ASSPs.

The Quartus II development software also includes new system-level design features such as PowerGauge analysis software, the industry's first integrated power analysis software, and enhancements to system-level verification.

The special version of Synplicity software that supports Altera encrypted MegaCore functions will be available in Q3 2001.

Evaluation copies of Synplicity products that are bundled with Quartus II software will be available in Q3 2001.

Both will be available directly from Altera to all active subscribers at no additional charge.

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