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XMOS Timing Analyzer Transforms Embedded Systems Development

Bristol, UK and Sunnyvale, Calif. – May 18, 2010– XMOS® today announced the availability of the XMOS Timing Analyzer (XTA), which accelerates the design of embedded applications and simplifies performance optimization. Together with the deterministic nature of XMOS XCore® processors, XTA makes it simple to develop software that meets timing deadlines – every time it executes. XTA is part of the XMOS Development Tools 10.4 release.

Based on static code analysis, XTA guarantees timing of real-time system functions such as control and DSP algorithms. Using XCore processors, functions traditionally implemented in hardware, such as I/O interfaces, can be implemented entirely in software and timed.

How XTA Works

Based on the fully deterministic instruction execution of XCore processors, XTA guarantees exact timing of software execution by examining object code. The time in which a program section must execute can be specified interactively in the GUI or as code assertions. If XTA detects that the program section cannot execute within the specified time, it provides immediate feedback that lets the developer identify the code that needs optimization. This significantly shortens and simplifies the development process. XTA can also be used to determine the minimum processor speed needed to meet timing requirements, supporting power optimization. 
“Guaranteeing correct operation of real-time software running on an embedded processor has been a significant challenge until now,” said David May, CTO of  XMOS. “In the past, dynamic testing with a test harness or test-bench had to be relied upon to exercise the timing corner cases.  In complex systems, this often means waiting until the entire system is built. XTA makes it fast and simple to ensure that embedded software meets its timing requirements.”

Key Features of the Development Tools 10.4 Release

  • XTA tool for interactive timing analysis and automatic generation of scripts to check that timing requirements are met at compile time
  • Visualization of memory and resources consumed by compiled programs
  • Flash programming support for in-field upgrades and multiple boot images for any SPI flash device
  • Support for booting programs encrypted on flash for multi-core devices such as the XMOS XS1-L2
  • XMOS Tools User Guide, now provides installation instructions, a quick start guide, tutorials, in-depth documentation for field upgrades and secure booting, a command-line usage guide and a complete set of reference material

Pricing and Availability

XTA is provided as part of the XMOS Development Tools 10.4 release, available immediately, free of charge at http://www.xmos.com/technology/design-tools.

Tweet This: Tool from @XMOS simplifies embedded development, predicts performance of time-critical programs http://bit.ly/b60PBI

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About

XMOS is transforming the way in which electronic products are designed. Its revolutionary event-driven multi-core processors make it easy to build systems entirely in software. XMOS designers enjoy the fastest route from idea to product, using standard programmable chips to create complete systems combining interface, DSP and control software. For designers in leading electronics brands, entrepreneurs and researchers, XMOS enables innovation and dramatically reduces costs. XMOS is based in Bristol (UK), Sunnyvale (CA, USA) and Chennai (India) with sales offices and representatives across the world.

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Cypress Introduces World’s Broadest Automotive-Qualified Touch-Sensing Portfolio Featuring Industry’s First Capacitive Touchscreen Solution

SAN JOSE, Calif., May 18, 2010 – Cypress Semiconductor Corp. (Nasdaq: CY) today announced automotive qualification of its market-leading TrueTouch™ touchscreen and LIN capable CapSense® touch-sensing controllers. The devices, based on Cypress’s flagship PSoC® programmable system-on-chip architecture, meet AEC-Q100 standards, giving Cypress the industry’s broadest portfolio of automotive-qualified capacitive touch-sensing technology. The TrueTouch controllers mark the industry’s first automotive-qualified capacitive touchscreen solution. The CY8C2x345 CapSense controllers pair analog resources with automotive industry standard LIN communication support, making the devices the ideal system controllers to interface with analog and capacitive touch-sensor inputs, and to control backlight LEDs and haptic actuators while communicating over the LIN bus.

Cypress also announced that Grace Semiconductor in Shanghai, China has been qualified to fabricate automotive-grade CY8C2x345 CapSense controllers that adhere to the AEC-Q100 standard, ISO/TS 16949 quality management standard and Cypress’s Zero Defect manufacturing system.

“Grace has been an excellent partner for our Flex Fab strategy and has a proven track record in supplying automotive grade wafers to the industry at large,” said Sabbas Daniel, Executive Vice President of Quality at Cypress. “Cypress can now offer automotive devices with an additional wafer fabrication source to our Fab 4 facility in Minnesota, and both fabs adhere to our Zero Defect quality controls.”

The new automotive-qualified TrueTouch controllers – which are available in single-touch, multi-touch gesture and multi-touch all-point offerings – provide the ability to track multiple fingers simultaneously. The TrueTouch solutions are able to control screen sizes up to nine inches. They are designed for use in control panels, GPS and infotainment displays.

Cypress’s automotive-qualified CapSense devices enable attractive, highly functional interfaces with improved durability over mechanical buttons and sliders. In addition, their industry-leading reliability, noise-immunity and water-resistance deliver superior performance in the harsh automotive operating environment. CapSense proximity sensing offers a detection range up to 25 cm, saving power by activating an interface only when needed. The devices are ideal for interior automotive applications such as audio, navigation, AC control and lighting control, as well as exterior applications such as trunk release and passive keyless-entry buttons. For more information on Cypress’s automotive portfolio, visit www.cypress.com/go/automotive or view a brochure at www.cypress.com/go/autobrochure

“We are excited to bring Cypress’s market-leading capacitive touch interface portfolio to the automotive market with AEC-Q100 qualification of our devices,” said Hassane El-Khoury, Automotive Business Unit Manager at Cypress. “This is a result of our focus and investment in the automotive segment which has created a dedicated business unit and a quality organization with a zero defect mindset. Our CY8C21X34 CapSense devices are already in production with some of the world’s top automobile manufacturers. We are building upon this proven success with our newly qualified TrueTouch and LIN-capable CapSense devices that bring sleek human machine interfaces into next-generation vehicles.”

Cypress’s newly automotive qualified CapSense devices offer dual-channel scanning, delivering faster scan times for multiple IOs. These devices offer automotive industry standard LIN 2.0 and 2.1 communication support. Cypress offers two types of the automotive devices: A grade (-40C to +85C) and E grade (-40C to +125C). Available on-chip analog resources include a SAR ADC. Learn more about CapSense online at www.cypress.com/go/capsense.

Cypress’s TrueTouch solution is the industry’s most flexible touchscreen architecture, allowing designers to implement differentiated features and make last-minute design iterations without board changes. They have a choice of using touch sensors (glass or film) and LCDs from preferred partners, and can develop innovative mechanical designs ranging from flat to curved surfaces of varying thickness. In addition, TrueTouch devices offer Cypress’s legendary noise immunity with patented capacitive sensing technology that enables flawless operation in noisy RF and LCD environments. Additional information about the TrueTouch solution is available atwww.cypress.com/go/TrueTouch.

In addition to PSoC programmable system-on-chip devices, Cypress’s automotive portfolio also includes parallel and serial non-volatile SRAMs, asynchronous fast SRAMs, asynchronous micropower SRAMs, synchronous SRAMs, timing solutions, and USB hosts, hubs and peripherals.

Availability and Photo

The newly qualified CY8CTMG120 multi-touch gesture and CY8CTMA120 multi-touch all-point controllers are available for sampling in 56-pin QFN packages. The newly qualified CapSense products include the LIN-capable CY8C2x345 devices, available for sampling in A grade (-40C to +85C) in 28-pin SSOP packages with the 48-pin SSOP packages planned in Q3 2010.

All products are expected to be in full production in Q3 2010. A high-resolution photo of automotive-qualified TrueTouch and CapSense devices is available at www.cypress.com/go/pr/AutoQualHMIphoto.

About Cypress

Cypress delivers high-performance, mixed-signal, programmable solutions that provide customers with rapid time-to-market and exceptional system value. Cypress offerings include the flagship PSoC® programmable system-on-chip families and derivatives such as PowerPSoC® solutions for high-voltage and LED lighting applications, CapSense® touch sensing and TrueTouch™ solutions for touchscreens. Cypress is the world leader in USB controllers, including the high-performance West Bridge® solution that enhances connectivity and performance in multimedia handsets. Cypress is also a leader in high-performance memories and programmable timing devices. Cypress serves numerous markets including consumer, mobile handsets, computation, data communications, automotive, industrial and military. Cypress trades on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the ticker symbol CY. Visit Cypress online at www.cypress.com.

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Actel Releases New Development Kit Targeted at System Designers in Need of ARINC 429 Development Platform

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., May 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Actel Corporation (NASDAQ:ACTL) today announced the introduction of a new ARINC 429 development kit using Actel’s proven Core429 IP core. By leveraging the proven civil aviation flight heritage of the Core429 IP core, Actel continues to show its commitment to the avionics industry. The Core429 Development Kit combines a Fusion Advanced Development Kit, an IP daughter card, and a Core429 daughter card. Avionics designers can evaluate the functionality of Actel’s Core429 with a full development kit that includes ARINC 429 example software, Core429 programming files, ARINC 429 physical connections and full user documentation.

The kit gives customers access to a self-contained benchtop four-channel ARINC 429 bus evaluation system based on Actel’s firm-error immune flash Fusion mixed signal FPGA, as well as complete control of an ARINC 429 evaluation system that is compliant with the ARINC 429-16 specification. Designers can use the files provided with the Core429 Development Kit to program the M1AFS1500-FG484 device in the Fusion Advanced Development Kit to create an ARINC platform with four transmit channels and four receive channels. The Core429 daughter card has ARINC 429 physical connections and is plugged directly onto an IP-DC-SA IP daughter card, which provides a bridge to the Fusion Advanced Development Kit.

Pricing and Availability

The Core429 Development Kit, part number CORE429-DEV-KIT-2, is available today for US $2300 at www.actel.com and through Actel’s worldwide sales team.

About Actel

Actel is the leader in low power FPGAs and mixed signal FPGAs, offering the most comprehensive portfolio of system and power management solutions. Power Matters. Learn more at www.actel.com.

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1A VLDO Outputs Down to 0.2V from 0.9V Input

MILPITAS, CA – May 17, 2010 – Linear Technology Corporation announces the LT3022, a 1A very low dropout linear regulator (VLDO™), featuring input voltage capability down to 0.9V and adjustable output voltage down to 0.2V. The LT3022’s low VIN capability, coupled with the device’s low dropout (145mV typical at full load), make it ideal for low-voltage, high current rails in digital ICs such as FPGAs, ASICs, DSPs, microprocessors and microcontrollers. It also has applications in general high-efficiency, low-Vin-to-low-Vout conversion (for example, 1.8V to 1.5V, 1.5V to 1.2V or 1.2V to 0.9V). In addition, the device offers low power operation at only 400µA quiescent current with less than 10µA in shutdown, saving run time in handheld applications.

The LT3022 regulator optimizes stability and transient response with low ESR, ceramic output capacitors as small as 10µF. The LT3022 is highly accurate, featuring ±3% output voltage accuracy over line, load and temperature, 0.1% typical line regulation and 0.1% typical load regulation. The device’s bulletproof internal protection circuitry includes reverse-battery protection, reverse output protection, reverse output-to-input (current) protection, current limiting, and thermal limiting with hysteresis.

The LT3022EDHC and LT3022IDHC (16-lead 3mm x 5mm DFN) and the LT3022EMSE & LT3022IMSE (thermally enhanced MSOP-16) operate from -40ºC to +125ºC junction temperature and are available from stock in both E and I grades, providing improved thermal performance and compact solution footprints. 1,000-piece pricing starts at $2.73 each and $3.13 each for the DFN package and $2.87 each and $3.29 each for the MSOP package. For more information, visit www.linear.com.

Summary Features LT3022

  • VIN Range: 0.9V to 10V
  • VREF Accuracy: ±3% over Line, Load & Temperature
  • VOUT Range: 0.2V to 9.5V (adjustable)
  • Dropout Voltage: 145mV
  • Output Current: 1A
  • Stable with Low ESR, Ceramic Output Capacitors (10µF Minimum)
  • 0.1% Load Regulation from 1mA to 1A
  • Quiescent Current: 400µA, ISD < 10µA
  • Current Limit & Thermal Limiting with Hysteresis Protection
  • Reverse-Battery, Reverse Output, & Reverse Output-to-Input (Current) Protection
  • 16-Lead DFN (3mm x 5mm x 0.75mm) Package
  • 16-Lead Thermally Enhanced MSOP Package
  • 1A VLDO with 0.2V Output Capability

About Linear Technology

Linear Technology Corporation, a manufacturer of high performance linear integrated circuits, was founded in 1981, became a public company in 1986 and joined the S&P 500 index of major public companies in 2000. Linear Technology products include high performance amplifiers, comparators, voltage references, monolithic filters, linear regulators, DC-DC converters, battery chargers, data converters, communications interface circuits, RF signal conditioning circuits, µModule® products, and many other analog functions. Applications for Linear Technology’s high performance circuits include telecommunications, cellular telephones, networking products such as optical switches, notebook and desktop computers, computer peripherals, video/multimedia, industrial instrumentation, security monitoring devices, high-end consumer products such as digital cameras and MP3 players, complex medical devices, automotive electronics, factory automation, process control, and military and space systems.

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