Collaboration provides complete development and support program for PICMG designs
SAN JOSE, Calif., and PHOENIX, Ariz., February 17, 2004 - Avnet Cilicon and Xilinx, Inc. (NASDAQ: XLNX) today launched the ATCA Development Platform Program enabling rapid deployment of Xilinx's new programmable AdvancedTCA™ solution for product development. The program is a joint effort between the two companies aimed at accelerating adoption of the ATCA PICMG standard for high-speed networking and communications designs.
Xilinx introduced the industry's first AdvancedTCA-compliant development platform at the Intel Developer Forum today in San Francisco, California (Intel Pavilion Booth # 42 and Intel Communications Alliance Booth #509). The platform demonstration showcases Xilinx's new Advanced Switching IP core in an ATM software application that features Intel® network processors and Xilinx Virtex-II Pro™ FPGAs.
"Access to standardized, scalable platforms is key to addressing the challenges of next-generation systems," said Robert Bielby, senior director of Strategic Solutions Marketing at Xilinx. "Our collaboration with Avnet provides designers with a proven framework for developing and delivering their products using our AdvancedTCA Development Platform. Avnet's extensive expertise in high-speed systems design and wide range of technology integration capabilities will be instrumental in helping the design community adopt ATCA PICMG for a broader class of applications."
About the ATCA Development Platform Program
Through the ATCA Development Platform Program, designers are provided a complete design kit for taking products from development through production. The design kit features a line card design based on Xilinx Virtex-II Pro FPGAs, test and demonstration programs, as well as schematic and board layout files. Example FPGA designs and selected reference designs are also available as part of the platform.
FPGA integration and customization efforts will be supported by Avnet Cilicon in its Xilinx ATCA Platform Certified FPGA Design Centers in North America. In addition to providing outsourced design resources, Avnet will offer customer training with hands-on demonstrations as part of the extensive Avnet Cilicon SpeedWay Design Workshop program.
Avnet Cilicon has also created an extensive network of third-party electronics component suppliers, intellectual property, design tool and design service companies that will develop solutions specifically targeted for the ATCA development platform. This best-in-class network covers all aspects of design and manufacturing to further speed the industry's migration to
ATCA PICMG-based implementations.
"Xilinx has created a wealth of intellectual property, design experience and system expertise in ATCA PICMG, and we look forward to productizing it for use in a variety of application areas," said Jim Schaeffer, senior vice president of Avnet Design Services. "Today's announcement of our joint ATCA Development Platform Program provides Avnet with access to this "treasure trove' of knowledge, and provides a win-win value proposition for both companies and our mutual customers."
"We estimate that this platform approach to ATCA designs can easily save six months to several man- years in engineering effort over the life of a project. Combined with the inherent cost and performance advantages of the ATCA standard, we expect Xilinx's AdvancedTCA solution to attract a wider customer base, particularly in the networking and communications sectors," added Schaeffer.
About ATCA PICMG
In 2001, experts across a broad range of over 600 industries and companies including network equipment providers, computer OEMs, Applied Computing Platform Providers, and third-party hardware and software vendors collaborated to define a standardized platform to address the challenges of next-generation platforms under the PCI Industrial Computer Manufacturers Group, (PICMG). In January 2003, the platform standard, ATCA (Advanced Telecom Compute Architecture), was developed to address the requirements of next-generation applications that could not be served by the CompactPCI standard or proprietary solutions. The prime objectives of the ATCA are to provide the broad benefits of a standardized, yet scalable platform to addresses the key challenges of the next generation systems with sufficient flexibility to be used across a broad class of applications without imposing constraints that might impact product differentiation.
RHK industry analysts expect shipments of over 600K shelves based upon the ATCA standard in the year 2007. Assuming a shelf contains 16 cards, this translates to shipments of over 9.6 million ATCA-based line cards in 2007 (The Outlook for AdvancedTCA: Executive Outlook, RHK, October, 2003).
About Xilinx
Xilinx, Inc. (NASDAQ: XLNX) is the worldwide leader of programmable logic solutions. Additional information about Xilinx is available at www.xilinx.com
About Avnet Cilicon
Avnet Cilicon is the semiconductor distribution specialist division of Avnet Electronics Marketing in the Americas. Avnet Cilicon combines semiconductor expertise, technical excellence and deep market knowledge to enhance time to revenue for all supply-chain partners in the electronics arena. Avnet Cilicon's core competencies include materials management, technical support through Avnet Design Services, logistics support through Avnet IMS and customer-centric, dedicated sales channels. To learn more about Avnet Cilicon's capabilities please visit www.em.avnet.com/cilicon or call 1-800-408-8353.
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