Altera Announces First PCI-X Core for PLDs From Newest AMPP -SM- Partner, DCM Technologies

IP News

SAN JOSE, Calif.----Nov. 29, 1999--Altera Corporation (Nasdaq:ALTR) today announced that a new Altera Megafunction Partners Program (AMPPSM) member, DCM Technologies, has developed the first PCI-X core, Corex-V10, for programmable logic devices (PLDs). DCM Technologies, developer of PCI and PCI-X buses, is the latest company to join the growing membership in the Altera Megafunction Partners Program (AMPP), a program created in 1995 to offer programmable logic users access to ``best-in-class'' IP cores. DCM's Corex-V10 provides a high-speed, flexible interface between the PCI-X bus and customer backend applications for communications system designers. Developed for high-performance applications such as Gigabit Ethernet, Fibre Channel, Wide-Ultra SCSI-3, Multi-Port Network Interface Controllers (NICs), hubs, routers, and switches, the Corex-V10 is capable of operating at a frequency of 66-MHz when implemented into an Altera EP20K400E-1 device.

``We are pleased that DCM Technologies has joined our AMPP partnership program and are equally excited that the company's advanced PCI-X cores are now available to our programmable logic user community,'' said Luanne Stechert, Altera's AMPP program manager. ``DCM's fully verified PCI-X solution will not only accelerate development cycles for customers making the transition to this high performance bus, but will also allow them to quickly develop advanced communications systems using Altera's System-on-a-Programmable-Chip(TM) (SoPC) methodology.''

``DCM is excited to announce its membership in Altera's AMPP program,'' said Anil Tickoo, DCM Technologies marketing manager. ``DCM's new IP products and services targeted specifically at the PLD community allow Altera customers to take advantage of DCM's technology leadership in the PCI-X applications area.''

About DCM's Corex-V10

DCM's Corex-V10 supports peak transfer rates of up to 1.0 Gbytes/second in both Master and Target Mode. The Corex-V10 implements 64/32-bit, 133-MHz PCI-X functions and is PCI-X 1.0 and PCI 2.2 compliant. The core features a common local side interface and is capable of supporting a fully synchronous design. Corex-V10 can also be used to migrate 64/32-bit, 66/33-MHz designs to PCI-X.

Availability and Pricing

The DCM Corex-V10 AMPP core is now available directly through DCM Technologies. The purchase of the core includes a CD consisting of a high-level testbench, a synthesis script, and a user guide. The Corex-V10N netlist version is available for $30,000. The Corex-V10S, a source code version, is also available for $150,000.

About AMPP

The Altera Megafunction Partners Program, established in August 1995, was created to bring the advantages of design reuse to users of Altera PLDs. AMPP is an alliance between Altera and developers of IP cores that encourages megafunction development. Altera provides technical information and training to the AMPP partners, who create and support IP cores targeted for Altera programmable logic devices. Currently, there are over 30 AMPP partners who offer 100 megafunctions. Customers may automatically request a free evaluation of any of these cores through Altera's megafunction listings at http://www.altera.com/ipmegastore.

About DCM Technologies

DCM is a highly integrated, technology oriented organization, sensitive to the needs of its customers. DCM has highly skilled and experienced engineering talents. It's engineering resources help its customers catch the shrinking opportunity windows by reducing the time to market on their new product designs. DCM provided ASIC/PLD design and verification services in the areas of PCI and PCI-X buses to its customers worldwide. It has a proven track record of long-term relationship with blue chip companies. DCM is striving hard to build close relationships with technology leaders as they keep pace with increasing product complexity and tight market windows. More information can be obtained on the worldwide web at http://www.dcmtech.com.

About Altera

Altera Corporation, The Programmable Solutions Company(TM), was founded in 1983 and is a leading supplier of programmable logic devices and associated logic development software tools. Programmable logic devices are semiconductor chips that can be programmed on-site, using software tools that run on personal computers or engineering workstations. User benefits include ease of use, lower risk, and fast time-to-market. Altera's CMOS-based programmable logic devices address high-speed, high-density and low-power applications in the telecommunications, data communications, computer peripheral, and industrial markets. Altera common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol ALTR. More information on Altera can be obtained on the Internet at http://www.altera.com.

Note to Editors: Altera, The Programmable Solutions Company, AMPP, System-on-a-Programmable-Chip, and specific device designations are trademarks and/or service marks of Altera Corporation in the U.S. and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective holders.