Actel Details Next Phase in Space-Qualified FPGA Roadmap; Aggressively Targets Satellite Payload Applications
Next-Generation Solution Represents Next Step in Three-Pronged Corporate Strategy
Actel Corporation today unveils its plans to leverage the company’s recently introduced high-performance, antifuse-based AX architecture for its next-generation,radiation-tolerant field-programmable gate array (FPGA) offerings. Optimized for the space market, the high-density, high-performance FPGAs will offer key features, such as hardened latches that offer practical single-event upset(SEU) immunity and, for the first time, usable error-corrected onboard RAM memory. These solutions will meet the density, performance and radiation-resistance requirements of many payload applications, an area previously dominated by application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), allowing Actel to aggressively target these applications in low-, mid- and geosynchronous-earth orbit satellites and deep space missions.
“We have long been committed to providing high-quality, radiation-tolerant
solutions for space applications, and today’s announcement further underscores
this position,” said John East, president and chief executive officer at
Actel. “Traditionally, ASICs have been the only solution to provide the
density and performance required by demanding payload applications in space.
However, we expect that our new antifuse-based, radiation-tolerant solution
will meet these high-density, high-performance requirements while also
providing the lower cost, shortened design time and increased flexibility of
FPGAs, thereby offering significant advantages over ASICs.”
East continued, “Indeed, with this offering, Actel achieves the third of
its strategic goals set forth earlier this year to offer industry-leading FPGA
solutions for ASIC-alternative, high-speed communications and
radiation-tolerant applications. The introductions of Actel’s flash-based
ProASIC Plus family and antifuse-based Axcelerator FPGAs represent the first
two prongs of this strategy. Moving forward, we will continue to deliver
best-in-class solutions using both our flash and antifuse technologies to
develop products optimized for targeted applications.”
Next-Generation Solution for Space
The new deep sub-micron radiation-tolerant offering will leverage Actel’s
expertise, AX architecture and RTSX-S FPGAs, which feature triple-module
redundancy (TMR), to provide unparalleled performance and flexibility in
space-capable products. With densities up to 2-million equivalent FPGA system
gates (approximately 300,000 ASIC equivalent gates), the new family is
expected to offer inherent single-event latchup (SEL) immunity; >63MeV-cm2/mg
SEU capability; and total ionizing dose (TID) performance in excess of
100 Krads. The family will also feature embedded RAM with an upset rate of
<1E-10 errors/bit-day with error detection and correction (EDAC). Prototyping
capability for the new family is expected to available in 1H 2003.
Forward-looking Statement
The statement that “these solutions will meet the density, performance and
radiation-resistance requirements of many payload applications” and the
statements in the paragraph under the caption “Next-Generation Solution for
Space” are forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor
provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual
events and results may differ materially from those expressed or forecast in
the forward-looking statements due to the Risk Factors set forth at the end of
Part I of Actel’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
January 6, 2002, including those discussed under the following headings:
Competition; Dependence on Customized Manufacturing Processes; Dependence on
Independent Software and Hardware Developers; and Technological Change and
Dependence on New Product Development.
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 approximately
500 people worldwide. The Company is traded on the Nasdaq National Market
under the symbol ACTL and is headquartered at 955 East Arques Avenue,
Sunnyvale, Calif., 94086-4533. Telephone: 888-99-ACTEL (992-2835).
Internet: http://www.actel.com .
NOTE: The Actel name and logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of
Actel Corporation. All other trademarks and servicemarks are the property of
their respective owners.
