Altera's MegaCore^[tm] PCI Functions Ideal for All CompactPCI Applications

San Jose, Calif., May 22, 2000--Altera Corporation (Nasdaq: ALTR) announced today that its entire family of industry-leading 32- and 64-bit, 33- and 66-MHz PCI MegaCore^[tm] functions now support CompactPCI and PCI 2.2 applications. As a result of its compliance with the industry standard CompactPCI requirements, Altera now provides hot swap capability for customers designing embedded applications that require this feature to perform real-time system upgrades, reconfigurations, and field replacements. Such embedded applications include communications, computer telephony, real-time data acquisition, networking, and industrial control.

"Altera now offers the most complete range of PCI cores available for programmable logic devices, supporting applications based on PCI 2.2, PCI-X, and CompactPCI specifications," said Craig Lytle, vice president of Altera's intellectual property business unit. "Altera's robust offering of PCI cores with hot swap capability further enhances Altera's overall ability to provide complete PCI solutions to the telecommunications, networking, and industrial control markets."

Altera PCI MegaCore^[tm] Function Offering

Altera offers fully parameterized PCI MegaCore functions supporting 64-bit Master Target, 32-bit Master Target, 64-bit Target Only, and 32-bit Target Only applications. Altera's PCI cores are capable of running at 66-MHz in Altera's ACEX^[tm], APEX^[tm], and FLEX^® device families. These PCI cores have been rigorously tested on the Phoenix Technologies' Testbench, Hewlett-Packard's PCI Bus Analyzer, and Altera's FLEX 10KE PCI development board for optimal performance.

PLD Applications' HotSwap Now! CompactPCI Board

PLD Applications' HotSwap Now! CompactPCI board is an Altera FLEX 10KE-based prototyping board that can be used in 5- and 3.3-V, 32- and 64-bit, and 33- and 66-MHz CompactPCI environments. This board provides electrical, functional, and timing compliance with CompactPCI, and supports PLD Applications' 32- and 64-bit PCI Target and Master/Target cores, available through the Altera AMPPSM program. A connector provides support for in-system programming via Altera's ByteBlaster" parallel port cable. Optional on-board SRAM is available in densities from 64- to 2048-kilobytes. The HotSwap Now! Board offers field reprogramming of an Altera EPC2 configuration device, allowing OEMs to upgrade their applications via the Internet.

Pricing & Availability

Prices for Altera's CompactPCI cores start at $4995 for the 32-bit PCI Target MegaCore function. All PCI MegaCore functions include netlist, simulation vectors, documentation, and timing constraint files to guarantee timing compliance. Pricing for the PCI solutions in Altera PLDs is very competitive with standard PCI devices, while providing value-added features. For example, the 32-bit/33MHz Target PCI MegaCore function uses only 38% of the ACEX EP1K30TC144-2 device for an effective volume cost of only $3.61. The remaining device resources may be used for proprietary functions. This results in a cost effective PCI solution with distinguishing features that target precise system requirements. PLD Applications' HotSwap Now! CompactPCI development board is available from PLD Applications for $3,990. The development board includes all versions of PLD Applications' PCI cores licensed for the board only and can be ordered directly from PLD Applications at http://www.plda.com or through its distributor network.

About PLD Applications

PLD Applications is an engineering company specialized in programmable logic-based electronic systems. As a member of AMPP, PLD Applications main activities are the development of megafunctions (IP), products that help designers save time to market, increase flexibility and reliability. Since its creation, PLD Applications has focused on the Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) market, and has developed a strong competence in this area. PLD Applications' range of products includes: CompactPCI megafunctions available in master/target and target only, 32/64 bits, 33/66 MHz, CompactPCI prototyping and production boards, software drivers, VHDL test bench, CompactPCI analyzer, and PCI consultancy services and training. More information on PLD Applications can be obtained on the Internet at http://www.plda.com.

About Altera

Altera Corporation, The Programmable Solutions Company^[tm], was founded in 1983 and is a leading supplier of programmable logic devices and associated logic development software tools. Programmable logic devices are semiconductor chips that can be programmed on-site, using software tools that run on personal computers or engineering workstations. User benefits include ease of use, lower risk, and fast time-to-market. Altera's CMOS-based programmable logic devices address high-speed, high-density and low-power applications in the telecommunications, data communications, computer peripheral, and industrial markets. Altera common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol ALTR. More information on Altera can be obtained on the Internet at http://www.altera.com. A photograph can be found at http://www.businesswire.com/altera.