FPGAs are designed for use in space applications.
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Press Release Summary:
Targeted towards space-flight designs, radiation-tolerant RTAX-SL field programmable gate array (FPGA) series is comprised of three members with embedded memory, SEU-hardened flip-flops, multiple I/Os, and hermetic packaging. Each programmable logic solution offers radiation performance that exceeds requirements of space applications. Also available, prototyping capabilities address early concept proof, mid-prototyping, and final verification stages.
Original Press Release:
Actel Launches Low-power RTAX-SL FPGAs for Space Applications
Company Adds Prototyping Solutions and Class V Processing for RTAX-S and RTAX-SL Families
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., June 25 -- Extending its low-power offerings to the space community, Actel Corporation (NASDAQ:ACTL) has developed the low-power, radiation-tolerant RTAX-SL field programmable gate array (FPGA) family specifically targeted at high-reliability space- flight designs. The industry's lowest power programmable logic solution for space applications, the new RTAX-SL family offers approximately 50 percent lower standby current than the leading space FPGA offering at 125 degrees C. The company also announced an extension to its prototyping portfolio for the RTAX-SL, RTAX-S and RTSX-SU families and a new EV production flow, which implements all the steps specified by QML Class V and provides a higher level of testing for its space products.
"Our new low-power RTAX-SL FPGA family directly addresses the demand from the space community for lower power solutions as design requirements and power budgets tighten," said Rich Brossart, vice president of product marketing at Actel. "For high-reliability, mission-critical aerospace systems, our new low-power family, prototyping options and EV processing flow enable our customers to reduce system power and save development costs while still meeting the stringent quality and reliability requirements for flight."
Based on Actel's successful RTAX-S architecture, the new RTAX-SL family is comprised of three members: the RTAX250SL, RTAX1000SL and RTAX2000SL. Designed to offer radiation performance that exceeds the requirements of most space applications, the family also offers embedded memory, SEU-hardened flip-flops, high I/O count, multiple I/O standard support and hermetic packaging.
Prototyping Solutions Deliver Low-cost Methodology for Validation
Addressing the three prototyping phases -- early concept proof, mid-prototyping and final verification -- Actel provides a comprehensive prototyping portfolio for its aerospace customers. For early concept proof of Actel's space-optimized devices, Aldec offers a prototyping solution using Actel's ProASIC3 flash-based FPGAs, allowing customers to tap the flexibility and reprogrammability of flash-based prototypes for multiple aerospace applications. For a cost-effective mid-prototyping solution, Actel offers commercial footprint-compatible Axcelerator (AX) products and prototyping adaptors. Customers at the final verification stage have access to pin-compatible RT silicon with the same architecture, functionality and timing attributes as the flight-qualified FPGAs. These solutions offer tremendous savings in design time by eliminating design cycles, which translates into overall lower development costs.
EV Devices Meet QML Class V Processing Specifications
Increasing its already stringent testing and screening process, Actel's new EV devices provide an even higher quality level for high-reliability systems used in space deployment, such as command and data handling systems, telemetry, attitude and station keeping and spacecraft health systems. The new EV production flow developed by Actel implements all of the steps specified by QML Class V, as defined in the MIL-PRF-38535, a performance-based specification document that defines the general, quality assurance and reliability requirements for the manufacture of integrated circuits intended for use in military and space applications.
Availability
The RTAX-SL devices and new prototypes for the RTAX-S and RTSX-SU can be ordered now for scheduled delivery in 4Q 2007. Devices processed to the new EV production flow can be ordered now for scheduled delivery in Q1 2008. For further information about pricing and availability, please contact Actel.
Actel's Proven Space-Flight Offerings
Actel is the leading provider of FPGAs for high-reliability space applications. Over the last decade, Actel FPGAs have been onboard more than 100 launches and flown on over 300 satellites and spacecraft, including GPS-2RM, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, Mars Explorer Rovers 1 and 2 (Spirit and Opportunity), Echostar and Globalstar.
About Actel
Attacking power consumption from both the chip and the system levels, Actel PowerSmart(TM) FPGA solutions enable power-efficient design. The company is traded on the NASDAQ National Market under the symbol ACTL and is headquartered at 2061 Stierlin Court, Mountain View, Calif., 94043-4655. For more information about Actel, visit www.actel.com/. Telephone: 888-99-ACTEL (992-2835).
The Actel name and logo and PowerSmart are trademarks of Actel Corporation. All other trademarks and service marks are the property of their respective owners.
CONTACT: Stephanie Mrus of Actel Corporation, +1-650-318-4614, stephanie.mrus@actel.com
