Xilinx and Xylon Deliver Flexible, Low-Cost Programmable logiTAP Platform for Embedded GUI System Development

-- At the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) today, Xilinx, Inc. (Nasdaq: XLNX) introduced the Xylon logiTAP platform for implementing high quality, low-cost graphical user interfaces (GUI) in embedded systems using low-cost Xilinx(R) Spartan(R)-3E field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). The logiTAP platform is a full-featured system on programmable chip (SoPC) solution with a touch screen display that enables rapid, cost-effective development, prototyping, and deployment of graphical human-machine interfaces (HMIs) targeting high-volume electronics applications.

The logiTAP platform is a configurable hardware and software development environment with pre-engineered hardware interfaces, FPGA and application-specific intellectual property (IP) modules, and embedded design tools. Xilinx is showcasing the flexibility of this new platform at CES, January 8-11 in Xilinx Booth #35171MP (Meeting Place Booth). Visitors will see a single logiTAP system reconfigured dynamically to host diverse GUI-based applications, including an automotive instrument cluster, rear-seat entertainment (RSE) system, and consumer AVI video player.

"Embedded system developers are under intense pressure to deliver products with sophisticated, eye-catching graphic interfaces like those available today on personal computers and other high-end electronics systems, but with substantially less processing capability," said Nick Difiore, senior automotive systems architecture and solutions manager in the Automotive Division at Xilinx. "The logiTAP platform addresses this requirement by coupling programmable silicon with pre-verified, customizable hardware and software modules suitable for all types of embedded GUI applications, including automotive graphics and video systems, household consumer products, as well as industrial automation equipment, medical monitors and defense electronics."

Configurable Embedded GUI Platform

Developed by Xylon, the logiTAP platform comes complete with all the components needed to evaluate embedded GUI subsystems, including the Xylon logiCRAFT3 board with Spartan-3E 1.2 million system gate FPGA. Xilinx LogiCORE(TM) and Xylon logiBRICKS IP cores provide the hardware and software building blocks for a variety of graphical objects, such as icons, pull-down menus, animations, and streaming video. Evaluation versions of the Xilinx Embedded Development Kit with the award-winning Platform Studio tool suite enable developers to quickly implement the logiTAP FPGA design and customize it as needed based on application requirements. The platform is also supported with software drivers for GUI builder tools from Altia, Inc., SEGGER Microcontroller Systems, and The Astonishing Tribe (TAT).

"Product developers in high-volume markets need low-cost HMI solutions that enable them to quickly take their hot ideas from concept into products," stated Davor Kovacec, CEO of Xylon. "The logiTAP platform uses off-the-shelf IP blocks and low-cost FPGAs to provide an extremely cost-optimized development environment. We also make it easy for developers to get started with a reference design that leverages the Xilinx(R) MicroBlaze(TM) embedded processor and Xylon 2.5D graphics controller to implement dramatic improvements in GUI speed and complex graphic operations such as texture rendering, picture filtering, scaling, and bitmap rotations."

The logiTAP platform and its 7-inch 800x480 LCD color touch display are encased in a Plexiglas resin case with full access to all on-board resources, including hardware interfaces for CAN, RS232, and JTAG. It comes fully configured with 32MB SDRAM and 8MB flash memory, a 2GB SD card, and more video and audio input channels than competitive solutions, including two video inputs selectable from four CVBS or two S-Video inputs, CVBS video output, four stereo line audio inputs, and stereo audio line output. Also included are all the necessary power supply, programming, and high-speed connectivity cables.

Pricing & Availability

The Xylon logiTAP platform solution is available starting in the first quarter of 2009 at the limited supply price of US$999 upon introduction. It can be ordered from Xylon at: http://www.logicbricks.com/html/evaluation_boards.htm.

About Xilinx

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

About Xylon

Xylon is a leading provider of FPGA-based development systems for the industrial, medical and automotive markets. It provides optimized IP cores, from its logiBRICKS library, interfaces and services that improve designers' effectiveness and lower overall production costs. Xylon headquarters and R&D team are located in Zagreb, Croatia, Europe, with offices in Germany and distributors in Japan for marketing, sales and support.