Apache and Xilinx Unveil Unique Signal Integrity Analysis Tool for Virtex-II Pro Based Multi-Gigabit Serial I/O Designs

Close cooperation between Apache, ERNI, and Xilinx allow S-parameter analysis  of chip-to-chip, board-to-board and backplane designs

SAN JOSE, Calif., February 11, 2004 — Apache Design Solutions and Xilinx, Inc. (NASDAQ: XLNX) today unveiled a unique new signal integrity tool dubbed "Serial Backplane Simulator" that uses the Apache NSPICE simulator to perform accurate mixed-domain S-parameter analysis of multi-gigabit serial I/O designs based on Xilinx Virtex-II Pro™ FPGAs. The free, web based tool allows customers to rapidly evaluate the signal integrity of complex system environments to accurately predict behavior and compare alternative implementations of multi-gigabit transceiver (MGT) applications. Fore more information, please visit http://www.xilinx.com/serialsolution.

"With the industry's rapid adoption of multi-gigabit transceivers in today's chip-to-chip, board-to-board, backplane and box-to-box designs, signal integrity engineering has become necessary to address the challenges of serial I/O design," said Per Holmberg, director of Virtex Solutions Marketing at Xilinx. "The Serial Backplane Simulator allows designers to quickly evaluate the signal integrity of design environments similar to their own."

"We are proud to partner with Xilinx in bringing the Serial Backplane Simulator to the marketplace," said Keith Mueller, vice president of marketing and sales for Apache. "NSPICE is the recognized technology leader in mixed-domain simulation, directly applying S-parameter data to provide the greatest accuracy to measured results. Resolving the new signal and power integrity challenges posed by these multi-gigabit systems, will enable our mutual customers to deliver reliable products earlier."

The new tool also allows designers to view Virtex-II Pro receiver eye diagrams created for different serial design environments based on combinations of PC board material types such as FR4, Rogers and Nelco, connectors such as ERNI Microspeed, MGT speeds from 1Gbps to 3.125 Gbps and, trace lengths from 1-40 inches. In addition, users can also adjust parameters of the Virtex-II Pro RocketIO™ MGTs to figure out optimum settings for a particular combination. Additionally, the tool includes a user guide explaining tool set-up, assumptions and discussion of the results.

"The ERNI Group is known for its competencies in advanced, high-speed interconnection solutions," said Wendy Wuerth-Griggs, vice president of Sales and Marketing at ERNI Electronics. "Working with Xilinx to make this tool available to designers worldwide, is part of our strategy to provide them with superior service and support."

About Serial Tsunami and Xilinx Solutions for High-speed Serial Backplanes
The Xilinx Serial Tsunami initiative was introduced to help accelerate the industry shift from parallel to serial I/O signaling technologies by delivering next generation connectivity solutions which support line rates from 622 Mbps to 10 Gbps and beyond. Xilinx's high performance Virtex-II Pro family of FPGAs deliver industry leading features, including IBM PowerPC™ processors immersed into the industry's leading FPGA fabric, multi-gigabit RocketIO™ serial transceivers, and cutting-edge embedded design tools, combined with a suite of IP cores – representing a comprehensive solution for a broad range of connectivity requirements across the entire line to the backplane.

About Apache N-spice
Apache Design Solutions' NSPICE provides a true-SPICE accurate solution for mixed frequency and time-domain simulation, plus offering unprecedented capacity and speed advantages over traditional SPICE. By providing tools for power, timing, and system I/O integrity, Apache enables leading networking, wireless, communication, consumer, and semiconductor companies to develop highly competitive and reliable products. For more information, visit http://www.apache-da.com.

About Xilinx
Xilinx is the worldwide leader in complete programmable logic solutions. For more information, visit www.xilinx.com.