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For Release: January 5, 1998
Altera Offers Faster MAX 9000A at Lower Cost
- 33% Speed Improvement
- Up to 60% Lower Price for 560 Macrocells
- MultiVoltTM Capability, 5.0-Volt Operation For System Flexibility
San Jose, Calif., January 5, 1998--Altera Corporation (Nasdaq:ALTR) today announced it is shipping the EPM9560A, the highest density product-term based programmable logic device (PLD) on the market. The latest member of the MAX® 9000A family offers
pin-to-pin performance of 10 ns, a 33 percent improvement from MAX 9000 devices, and price savings of up to 60%. These performance and price advantages offer designers a smooth transition to higher-density devices.
The EPM9560A is manufactured on a 0.5-micron, triple-layer metal CMOS process that results in significantly smaller die sizes than the prior 0.65-micron generation. This process technology advance significantly improved performance to 10 ns (tPD) as well as reduced manufacturing costs. Cost savings from the process improvement are being passed on to Altera's customers. The EPM9560A, with 560 macrocells is pin-, function-, and programming file-compatible with the original MAX 9000 devices. The EPM9560A offers designers the best performance at the highest density of any product-term based PLD on the market.
"The EPM9560A was designed to meet the performance, price, and density requirements specified by engineers," said Cliff Tong, Altera's vice president of product marketing. "By making it fully compatible with MAX 9000 devices, we created the smoothest possible migration path for designers who need higher performance and advanced capabilities."
MultiVolt Capability For Today's Systems
The EPM9560A operates at 5.0 volts, and contains Altera's patent-pending MultiVolt feature, which enables it to interface with devices operating at 3.3 volts. This feature is increasingly important as today's digital systems often contain devices operating at different voltages. This mixed-voltage trend will continue as power requirements drop due to the adoption of process technologies at 0.35-micron and smaller.
In-System Programmability for Flexibility
Like all members of the MAX 9000 and MAX 9000A families, the EPM9560A offers in-system programmability (ISP). This enables engineers to quickly and easily program the EPM9560A using automated test equipment, embedded processors, or the Altera ByteBlasterTM parallel port download cable that connects directly to the printed circuit board. Reprogramming is just as easy, making it possible to modify designs without changing pin assignments. In addition, changing designs in the field can be accomplished through software and a modem, which eliminates the need for expensive equipment rework.
MAX+PLUS II Design Support
The EPM9560A is fully supported by Altera's next-generation MAX+PLUS II® development software.
Availability and Pricing
The EPM9560A is available now in a variety of packaging options. By late-1998, the EPM9560ARC208-15 is expected to sell for $29.75 in high volumes.
Safe Harbor Notice
This press release contains "forward looking statements" which are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward looking statements are generally preceded by words such as "expects," "believes," "anticipates," "projects," or "intends." Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements in this release involve risks and uncertainty, including without limitation risks that new process technologies will not achieve continued cost savings, that new products will not meet customer demands, and that the company's financial results will be effected by price and other competitive pressures. Please refer to the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings, copies of which are available from the Company without charge, for further information.
About Altera
Altera Corporation, founded in 1983, is a worldwide leader in high-performance, high-density programmable logic devices and associated computer aided engineering (CAE) logic development tools. Programmable logic devices are semiconductor chips that offer on-site programmability to customers. The chips are programmed using tools that run on personal computer or engineering work stations. User benefits include ease of use, lower risk, and fast time-to-market. The company offers the broadest line of CMOS programmable logic devices that address high-speed, high-density, and low-power applications. Altera products serve a broad range of markets, including telecommunications, data communications, computers and industrial applications. Altera common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol ALTR. More information on Altera can be obtained on the World Wide Web at http://www.altera.com. A photograph is available at http://www.newscom.com.
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