Altera said that the software provides what it termed the industry's fastest compile times for high-end FPGAs, averaging a 20 percent reduction annually over the past five years. The compile time advantages in the latest release are driven by more efficient place and route algorithms, improved multiprocessor support and faster timing-driven synthesis.

The new Rapid Recompile feature enhances the Quartus II software's ability to further minimize design compilation times. Rapid Recompile maximizes designer productivity when making small engineering change order (ECO)-style design changes after a full compile is run, reducing compilation times by 50 percent on average versus running another full compile on the design. Rapid Recompile also improves designer productivity during timing closure by preserving critical timing during late design changes.

The three smallest Cyclone IV GX devices will be supported in the Quartus II design software v9.1 with the remaining Cyclone IV devices supported in the Quartus II design software v9.1 service pack 1.

"Design teams today continue to look for ways to maximize productivity as they face the challenges of tighter budgets, shrinking R&D resources and truncated design schedules," said Chris Balough, senior director of software, embedded, and DSP marketing at Altera. "Quartus II software's increased productivity advantage ensures our customers can get their FPGAs to market quicker and with reduced engineering expenses."

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The Cyclone IV FPGA family offers two variants. Cyclone IV GX devices have up to 150K logic elements (LEs), up to 6.5-Mbits of RAM, up to 360 multipliers, and up to eight integrated 3.125-Gbps transceivers supporting mainstream protocols including Gigabit Ethernet (GbE), SDI, CPRI, V-by-One and Cyclone IV GX has hard IP for PCI Express (PCIe). With low power consumption and packages as small as 11x11 mm, these devices address small form-factor applications in the wireless, wireline, broadcast, industrial and consumer markets. Cyclone IV E devices deliver high functionality, and lower power by up to 25 percent, according to the company, compared to previous generation Cyclone products for power-sensitive applications such as handheld software-defined radio.

"Cyclone IV FPGAs will expand the reach of FPGAs like never before," said Vince Hu, vice president of product and corporate marketing at Altera. "By rivaling the cost of ASSPs and offering unmatched flexibility, Cyclone IV FPGAs are the obvious choice for next-generation designs. The innovative features of the Cyclone IV family make it easy for designers to support multiple protocols, simplify board design and create obsolescence-proof solutions that will outlast ASSPs."

Altera is a provider of programmable solutions to system and semiconductor companies.

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About the SIA

The SIA is the leading voice for the semiconductor industry and has represented U.S. semiconductor companies since 1977. Collectively, the chip industry employs a domestic workforce of approximately 200,000 people. The semiconductor industry is America's second-largest exporting industry. More information about the SIA can be found at www.sia-online.org.

SOURCE: Semiconductor Industry Association

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