SAN JOSE, Calif., Sept. 7 /PRNewswire/ — Xilinx, Inc. (NASDAQ:XLNX) today announced that the latest version of its high-performance programmable solution for high assurance applications in the aerospace and defense (A&D) industries has been approved for use in Type 1 Crypto Systems by the National Security Agency (NSA). The approval of the Virtex®-5Q device and related physical security IP core, which together help form the Xilinx® Targeted Design Platform for secure communications, extends an on-going relationship between the NSA and Xilinx, and underscores the company’s 20-year track record of meeting the rigorous demands of the A&D industry.

The successful results of the exhaustive testing of the company’s second generation secure communications offering allow the FPGA leader to provide lower cost, lower power and more flexible solutions to developers needing to meet the demanding requirements of high-grade cryptographic processing applications, including the requirements set forth by the Department of Defense’s (DoD) Crypto Modernization initiatives.

The approval covers critical elements of the Virtex-5Q device secure communications Targeted Design Platform. The solution provides a single chip crypto (SCC) design methodology and a newly-released Security Monitor 2.0 IP core for physical design security. SCC combines the functionality of multiple FPGAs into a single device, enabling A&D product developers to reduce the size, weight, power and cost (SWAP-C) of systems through higher levels of integration. The complete solution also includes dual embedded PowerPC® 440 processors, tamper-proofing capabilities and Xilinx’ isolation verification tool.

Key to the NSA approval is the ability of the Virtex-5Q solution and associated methodology to isolate user functionality within a single device. The NSA completed a fail-safe analysis effort for the Virtex-5Q family to confirm that the Xilinx SCC technology allows individual regions of the FPGA to be isolated from each other in the event of failure through accidental or intentional means. The proven SCC design flow and verification process, first pioneered and developed by Xilinx in cooperation with NSA, provides higher levels of integration and increased system reliability. Although designed to meet NSA requirements, the SCC solution provides isolation techniques useful in other high reliability applications such as commercial avionics governed by FAA DO-254 and commercial cryptographic systems governed by NIST FIPS-140.

“Xilinx and NSA have worked closely together on this ground-breaking second generation Single Chip Crypto and Security Monitor technology which will further enable reductions in overall system power, form factor and cost for present and future crypto systems,” Amit Dhir, Senior Director, Xilinx Aerospace/Defense & High Performance Computing Business.

In addition to the SCC technology, Xilinx announced the release of the Security Monitor IP core 2.0 for use in Virtex-5Q devices. The Security Monitor technology is used to enhance the physical security of Xilinx Virtex-5 FPGA devices for information assurance and anti-tamper applications. Details of the Security Monitor core are ITAR restricted and available directly from Xilinx.

About the Virtex-5Q Family

The new Virtex-5Q family delivers the highest performance, largest capacity FPGAs with ruggedized packaging and advanced cryptographic capabilities, and is part of the industry’s most comprehensive portfolio of defense-grade devices that are also available in bare die form for customized form factors. The solution specifically addresses the elevated performance and security demands of modern A&D systems. The inherent re-programmability and SCC technology advances of Virtex-5Q FPGAs overcome the limitations of traditional ASIC and ASSP approaches, making them ideal for secure communications applications, as well as for electronic warfare, aircraft and transport vehicles; C4ISR systems (Command, Control, Communications, Computer, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance); radar; and missiles and munitions.

About Xilinx

Xilinx is the worldwide leader in complete programmable logic solutions. For more information, visit http://www.xilinx.com/.

JTAG Technologies is pleased to announce a new support package for board-level and system designers looking to implement a convenient BIT (Built-In Test) access for boundary-scan testing and on-board device (re)programming.

For the first time since the introduction of the IEEE Std. 1149.1 in 1990 existing USB to JTAG resources, which design engineers frequently now include on their boards, can be linked to high-level boundary-scan test software. In conjunction with FTDI Ltd, JTAG Technologies is pleased to offer a support option for the popular FTDI 2232D and the new FT2232H/4232H (Hi-speed USB 2.0) devices that allow direct connection from PC to target (UUT) via a standard USB cable.

Anticipated users of this support option will include field repair technicians, who will be able to reduce their tool inventory, and design engineers looking to exercise JTAG circuitry during the hardware debug phase. The device support extends from the JTAG ProVision application development software through to its run-time, production solutions – as well as the free ‘BUZZ’ and low-cost ‘CLIP’ and ‘SCRIPT’ JTAG Live modules, which can be downloaded from www.jtaglive.com.

Peter van den Eijnden, Managing Director for JTAG Technologies commented: “Once designed into a board and configured appropriately, the FTDI parts act the same as a regular JTAG controller that can be selected from our software’s instruments menu. This has a huge effect on the usefulness of boundary-scan throughout a product’s lifecycle since it makes in-service or field service of PCBs and systems a far more realistic proposition.”

Daniel McCaffrey Marketing Manager at FTDI states: “We fully support JTAG Technologies’ move to broaden the appeal of built-in (PCB) test feature through the use of FTDI’s proven technology. This type of enhancement is a winning proposition for suppliers and customer alike.”

Existing users of JTAG Technologies’ software with a valid support contract can apply for the ‘bolt-on’ FDTI support package via their local sales representative. Prospective users of JTAG ProVision or PIP/xx can also request a demonstration of the technology in action.

FTDI Ltd has been at the forefront of IC USB to serial bus conversion hardware development for over 15 years, initially supplying devices to help convert legacy PC peripherals to USB. Its full range now includes USB 2.0 full speed and Hi Speed converter ICs with fully supported drivers, and the new Vinculum 2 USB host interface IC with its own royalty-free IDE.

About JTAG Technologies

JTAG Technologies is a market leader and technology innovator of boundary-scan software and hardware products and services. The company was the first to bring to the market such important advances as automated test generation, automated fault coverage analysis, automated flash and PLD programming via boundary-scan, and visualized boundary-scan analysis. Its customers include world leaders in electronics design and manufacturing such as Ericsson, Flextronics, Honeywell, Medtronic, Motorola, Nokia, Philips, Raytheon, Rockwell-Collins, Samsung, and Sony. Its innovative boundary-scan products provide test preparation, test execution, test result analysis and in-system programming applications. With an installed base of over 6,500 systems worldwide, JTAG Technologies serves the communications, medical electronics, avionics, defence, automotive, and consumer industries with offices throughout North America, Europe and Asia. JTAG Technologies headquarters are located in Eindhoven, The Netherlands.

JTAG and JTAG Technologies are registered trademarks of JTAG Technologies, Inc.  All other brand names or product names mentioned are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holder(s). www.jtag.com

Poing, Germany, 7 September 2010 – Avnet Embedded, an Avnet, Inc. (NYSE:AVT) company, today announced that its new pan-European Website is now online, offering a better way for users to find the materials they need – and innovative ways of delivering them.  The new Website is designed to lead the way as an embedded resource across Europe encompassing all technology groups, and vertical markets associated with Avnet Embedded and the combined information of Axess Technology, TDC, Trident and Abacus Embedded, all Avnet Embedded Businesses. Access to the new site is available at http://www.avnet-embedded.eu.

High on the extensive list of innovations is a new interactive linecard, where users can filter by product category (computing, displays, printers, software and wireless technology) and location, to rapidly identify which products are available in their territory from specific suppliers.

Complementing the interactive linecard is an advanced parametric search where results are filtered as users narrow down the options. For example, displays can be searched by manufacturer, technology, module size, resolution, interface, brightness, backlight and operating temperature range. The dynamic “view-as-you-search” results help users to identify and navigate to the most relevant products that meet their criteria.

From there, documentation can be downloaded or viewed in standard PDF formats, or viewed online in Avnet Embedded’s growing library of eBrochures, which provide enhanced document search, navigation and interactivity.

There are dedicated sections of the Website for each of the vertical markets addressed by Avnet Embedded, providing an introduction to specific digital signage and retail/kiosk applications along with typical product requirements.  In addition, the new Website provides a harmonised pan-European presentation of the company’s product news and an events calendar featuring technical seminars and workshops.

Underlying the new Website is an advanced content management system, which not only enables the Avnet Embedded team to keep information up-to-the-minute, but also ensures that the site maintains conformity with recognised standards for accessibility, security and the latest Web 2.0 technologies.

It’s the platform for a continuous improvement in communication with customers, as Martin Brooks, vice president Avnet Embedded, explained: “We hope that our customers will find the new Website to be as useful and appealing as we do.  Our goal was to create the best Website in the embedded EMEA market, and we are sure that the result is something very special. Nevertheless, even the best Website is a dynamic tool and we will continue to adjust and improve our Website in accordance with the needs of our customers.”

About Avnet Embedded

Avnet Embedded is a product business group within Avnet Electronics Marketing EMEA, an operating region of Avnet, Inc., (NYSE: AVT). Avnet Embedded was created to serve the industrial market with displays, embedded computing hardware, software, networking and wireless products. The group also provides customers with finished or customised products and training, system integration and ODM services through its European technical centres and partners. Avnet Embedded works with a range of leading product manufacturers and technical partners to provide the best product solution to meet its customers’ specific requirements. Further information is available at www.avnet-embedded.eu.