For Release: March 11, 2002
Altera's SOPC Builder Delivers Concept to System in Minutes
System Generation Tool Simplifies the Process of Integrating IP for Complex Systems
San Jose, Calif., March 11, 2002 -- Altera Corporation (Nasdaq: ALTR) today announced the immediate availability of SOPC Builder, an automated system generation tool that simplifies and accelerates the process of integrating complex designs in Altera's high-density programmable logic devices (PLDs). SOPC Builder gives designers the ability to turn their concepts into systems in minutes by automating the tedious task of defining, parameterizing and linking intellectual property (IP) cores, including multiple embedded processor.
SOPC Builder further extends Altera's leadership in system integration tools established last year with the introduction of the Excalibur™ embedded processor solutions development kits. Used with the Quartus® II design software, SOPC Builder provides designers with a powerful platform for creating a complete system-on-a-programmable-chip (SOPC) design.
"The combination of easily accessible IP and a powerful system integration tool is a significant design asset for sophisticated, high-density PLD users and embedded systems designers alike," said Paul Zorfass, senior analyst for embedded solutions with International Data Corporation/FTI. "As these design disciplines merge, companies like Altera are stepping up to the plate with a complete solution that accommodates system integration, software development, prototyping and system verification."
With SOPC Builder, users can select and parameterize IP components from an extensive drop-down list of communication, digital signal processor (DSP), microprocessor and bus interface cores, as well as incorporate their own IP. Designers can then generate a synthesized netlist, simulation test bench and custom software library that reflect the hardware configuration. When combined with Altera's Excalibur™ embedded processor solutions, SOPC Builder enables the creation of complex systems that include on-chip memory, a processor core, I/O functions and application-specific IP.
In concert with the OpenCore® Plus IP evaluation program, which allows designers to download IP from the Altera web site to perform actual tests in hardware, SOPC Builder offers unprecedented access to an extensive portfolio of IP from Altera and Altera Megafunction Partners Program (AMPPSM) members.
"SOPC Builder gives designers the ability to define the single-chip, custom solution they need in significantly less time than other design alternatives," said Tim Southgate, vice president of software and tools marketing at Altera. "SOPC Builder directly reduces our customers’ time-to-market by automating the definition and integration tasks for developing a complete system- on-a-programmable-chip."
SOPC Builder encompasses all of Altera's Excalibur embedded processor solutions for the rapid development of microprocessor-based systems implemented with Altera PLDs. SOPC Builder seamlessly embraces the AMBA-AHB™ bus, the de-facto bus standard for system on chip implementations using an ARM processor, as well as Altera's Avalon™ bus that supports the complete library of Nios™ soft processor core peripherals.
SOPC Builder addresses the need for a software development kit configured for the system to jump-start the software development team. When one or more processors exist, SOPC Builder generates a header file and a custom library of routines that control each peripheral connected to the processor or multiple processors.
"Because of the inevitable demand for processors in SOPC applications, Altera views both soft core and hardcore processors as IP components," said Mark Dickinson, vice president of Altera's Excalibur business unit. "If a designer adds a real-time operating system (RTOS) to a processor-based system, for example, SOPC Builder can automate the generation of a custom RTOS kernel, including drivers for the peripheral set included in the SOPC design."
Altera will be showcasing SOPC Builder with all of its Excalibur embedded processor solutions at booth 1414 during the Embedded Systems Conference to be held March 12-16 at Moscone Center in San Francisco. For more information about Embedded Systems Conference visit: http://www.altera.com/education/events/northamerica/evt-esc2002.html.
Pricing and Availability
SOPC Builder is currently included in the Excalibur Nios Development Kit and in the Excalibur ARM Solutions Pack. Future versions of the Quartus II design software will also include SOPC Builder. Combined with Altera's Quartus II design software, SOPC Builder can be used to implement designs in Altera's Stratix™, Mercury™, APEX™ II, APEX, ACEX™, FLEX®, and Excalibur ARM®-based devices.
About the Altera Megafunction Partners Program (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 PLDs. Currently, there are more than 30 AMPP partners who offer more than 150 megafunctions. Customers may request a free evaluation of any of these cores through Altera's megafunction listings at http://www.altera.com/ipmegastore.
About OpenCore® Plus
Altera's OpenCore® Plus supplements the OpenCore evaluation flow by incorporating free RTL simulation and hardware evaluation, allowing designers to simulate an RTL model of a MegaCore function in their design and generate time-limited programming files. Designers can use the OpenCore Plus hardware evaluation feature to perform board-level design verification before deciding to purchase licenses for the MegaCore functions.
About Altera
Altera Corporation (Nasdaq: ALTR) is the world's pioneer in system-on-a-programmable-chip (SOPC) solutions. Combining programmable logic technology with software tools, intellectual property and technical services, Altera provides high-value programmable solutions to approximately 14,000 customers worldwide. More information is available at http://www.altera.com.
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