Actel Offers High-Performance, Easy-to-Use FPGA-Based DSP Solution

CoreFIR Brings Efficient Signal Filtering, Detection and Analysis Functionality to Actel’s Flash and Antifuse FPGAs

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., November 8, 2004 — Actel Corporation (Nasdaq: ACTL) today introduced CoreFIR, a finite impulse response (FIR) intellectual property (IP) core generator optimized for use with Actel’s flash- and antifuse-based families of field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). CoreFIR, the latest addition to Actel’s DirectCore portfolio, is an easy-to-use filter generator that uses a distributed arithmetic implementation methodology to create FPGA-based low- and high-pass digital filters for a variety of general signal filtering, detection and analysis functions. Specifically designed for lower sampling rates, CoreFIR can be implemented in the smallest Actel FPGA devices and provides a level of flexibility and cost-effectiveness that is more attractive than standard processor or application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) alternatives. CoreFIR generates filters to detect and analyze signals for applications such as radar, sonar, ultrasound and others in the communication, space, medical, industrial and military markets.

“With programmable logic becoming an attractive alternative to standard DSP processors, CoreFIR offers designers an easy and cost-effective way to implement DSP functionality,” said Yankin Tanurhan, senior director of applications and IP solutions at Actel. “Using the high-performance, highly efficient and easy-to-use core generator, designers can implement digital filters that are customized for their application and reduce development time from weeks to days.”

CoreFIR, optimized for Actel’s Axcelerator, RTAX-S, SX-A and ProASICPLUS FPGAs, can create FIR filters that operate at more than 160 MHz when implemented on Actel’s high-performance, antifuse-based Axcelerator devices. Unlike standard DSP solutions, CoreFIR is designed to be small and highly customizable. Using the core generator, designers can input the number of taps, bit width and coefficient bit width, and the ratio between system clock frequency and data sampling rate for a variety of configurations, including signed or unsigned inputs, fixed or variable coefficients, and embedded RAM. In addition, the core generator outputs RTL code and a testbench, enabling the designer to verify the specified design configuration. CoreFIR has also been thoroughly verified in simulation by Actel.
Pricing and Availability

Actel’s new CoreFIR generator is available now. Pricing starts at $500. In addition, a free evaluation version is available for download via Actel’s Web site at www.actel.com/products/ip.

Actel DirectCore and CompanionCore Solutions

Actel offers its own system-level IP solutions, called DirectCores, specifically designed and optimized for use with Actel devices. The company also offers third-party IP blocks, called CompanionCores, which have been tested and verified in Actel FPGAs. Covering applications ranging from embedded systems to consumer and communications, the cores offered include bus interfaces, communication controllers and interfaces, processors and peripherals, encryption and memory controllers, as well as multimedia and error correction.

Actel DirectCore and CompanionCore products offer seamless implementation through Actel’s suite of internal and third-party EDA development tools and quality documentation service and support, thereby streamlining the design process, enabling faster time to market and minimizing design costs and risks. Customers may access and download free evaluation versions of cores from Actel’s broad IP portfolio through its Web-based IP evaluation program at www.actel.com/products/ip.

About Actel

Actel Corporation is a supplier of innovative programmable logic solutions, including field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) based on antifuse and flash technologies, high-performance intellectual property (IP) cores, software development tools and design services, targeted for the high-speed communications, application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) replacement and radiation-tolerant markets. Founded in 1985, Actel employs more than 500 people worldwide. The Company is traded on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol ACTL and is headquartered at 2061 Stierlin Court, Mountain View, CA, 94043-4655. Telephone: 888-99-ACTEL (992-2835). Internet:: http://www.actel.com.

# # #

The Actel name and logo are trademarks of Actel Corporation. All other trademarks and service marks are the property of their respective owners.