Logic analysers turn to FPGA debug duties

A new software package for Tektronix TLA logic analysers enables real-time debugging of Altera FPGAs.

Tektronix, Altera and First Silicon Solutions (FS2) have announced FPGAView, a software package from FS2 for Tektronix TLA logic analysers that enables real-time debugging of Altera FPGAs.

Using FPGAView, design engineers can quickly and easily measure signals inside their Altera FPGA design and select which group of internal signals to probe without having to recompile their design.

"Our partnership with Tektronix and Altera enables customers to increase their productivity and reduce debugging time when designing with Altera FPGAs", said Rick Leatherman, Vice President and General Manager of FS2.

"By leveraging our debug intellectual property, probing technology and PC software expertise to create FPGAView, we provide a tool for designers to quickly and easily measure signals without having to recompile their design".

"This translates into real savings of both time and money".

Installed onto a Tektronix logic analyser, the FPGAView software package is enabled by the logic analyser interface feature introduced in Altera's Quartus II design software version 5.1.

The logic analyser interface feature allows for a large set of internal signals to be mapped to a small number of output pins via a user-configurable multiplexer.

With the Tektronix logic analyser connected to the FPGA through a JTAG port, FPGAView controls which internal FPGA signals are mapped to the output pins for real-time display and debug.

Designers will find the combination of FPGAView, Altera's logic analyser interface feature and the Tektronix logic analyser easier to use and less intrusive than other debug methodologies.

"With the ever increasing density and sophistication of FPGAs, designers are looking for easier, more productive means of debugging internal nodes of the device", said David Bennett, Vice President, Logic Analyser Product Line, Tektronix.

"Available for Tektronix logic analysers, this new debug solution not only gives design teams the ability to view the internal operation of their Altera FPGA design but also allows them to correlate these signals with other signals on their board".

"As FPGA designs grow more sophisticated and pressures to reduce design cycle times increase, the ability to rapidly debug FPGAs becomes even more crucial, driving the demand for solutions such as FPGAView", said Danny Biran, Altera's Vice President of Product and Corporate Marketing.

"Designers can take advantage of the advanced capabilities within Tektronix logic analysers and the automated debugging process of FPGAView to quickly and easily complete their designs and meet their go-to-market goals".

FPGAView is available for all Tektronix TLA logic analysers.

In addition, FPGAView works with the ByteBlaster and USB-Blaster programming cables from Altera which eliminate the need to manually enter signal names into the logic analyser.

FS2's FPGAView will begin shipping in December 2005.

Pricing for a one-year use licence with support is US $1695.

Pricing for a perpetual-use licence and three years of support is US $4950.

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