For Release: December 13, 1999
Altera Announces PCI-X Intellectual Property Core for Programmable Logic
- PCI-X Will Be the De Facto Industry Standard for Next Generation High-Bandwidth Design
- Provides a Clear Roadmap from 66-MHz to 133-MHz Performance
- Backwards Compatible with All Current PCI Configurations
San Jose, Calif., December 13, 1999-- Altera Corporation (Nasdaq: ALTR) today became the first semiconductor company to introduce a PCI-X intellectual property (IP) core for programmable logic devices (PLDs). The PCI-X based technology is a compatible extension of the existing PCI (peripheral component interface) bus. The 64-bit PCI-X architecture runs at speeds up to 133-MHz, providing transfer rates above one gigabyte per second, up to four times the speed of the most common PCI bus technology. The design of next-generation high bandwidth systems is currently limited by interface throughput, which PCI-X can address.
PCI-X is widely anticipated to be the next standard for I/O interconnect inside servers, as well as more complex system architectures such as switched fabric I/O systems, Gigabit Ethernet, Fiber Channel, Cluster Interconnects, and Internet Protocol Telephony.
"The introduction of the Altera PCI-X MegaCoreTM function is part of our comprehensive PCI strategy, to offer both performance and ease-of-implementation to designers of high bandwidth systems," said Justin Cowling, Altera senior intellectual property marketing manager. "This core gives designers a clear path to higher performance and is backwards-compatible with current PCI configurations." The PCI-X core has been rigorously tested and implemented on several cell-based ASIC devices.
Altera's MegaCore engineering group was able to quickly develop the innovative PCI-X IP core with technology shared by Compaq Computer Corporation. In a related announcement,
Altera is the first programmable logic company to participate in the Compaq Golden Master Program. Membership in Compaq's PCI-X Golden Master Program allows Altera to take full advantage of Compaq's PCI system design expertise, as well as license its PCI-X technology.
About the MegaCore Program
The Altera MegaCore program was created to bring the advantages of design reuse to users of Altera PLDs. MegaCore functions are developed, pre-tested, documented, and licensed directly by Altera. These functions are optimized for specific Altera device architectures, allowing user-specified performance utilization goals to be met. Currently, there are over 30 megafunctions in the MegaCore program. Customers may automatically request a free evaluation of any of these cores through Altera's IP MegaStoreTM web site at IP MegaStore.
Availability and Pricing
The Altera PCI-X core is optimized for the Altera APEXTM and FLEX® device families and is shipping now to selected customers. Pricing is $25,000, which includes comprehensive PCI-X design documentation.
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 the risks that the Company's products will not satisfy customer demands, that other companies will develop products with higher densities than those offered by the Company, and that yields will not be sufficient to support projected pricing. 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, The Programmable Solutions Company™, was founded in 1983 and 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 computers 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, computer peripherals, and industrial applications. Altera common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol ALTR.
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