Xilinx acquisition extends its programmable platforms to a broader customer base
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Xilinx has announced the acquisition of high level synthesis specialist AutoESL Design Technologies. The deal, says Xilinx, will enable the company to deliver programmable platforms to a broader base of companies where system architects and hardware designers are accustomed to designing at a higher level of abstraction in C, C++ and System C.
Xilinx says it will also enable it to address increasing demand for tools that support electronic system level design methodologies for complex designs targeted in fpgas.
AutoESL's flagship high level synthesis tool, AutoPilot, has been adopted by a number of semiconductor systems companies, of which over 25 are Xilinx customers and Alliance program members. With today's announcement, Xilinx intends to focus on its 6 and 7 series fpgas and new extensible processing platform.
"Xilinx has incubated high-level synthesis technology for many years," said Vin Ratford, senior vice president of worldwide marketing at Xilinx. "In 2006, we launched our ESL initiative with a goal to help the industry improve quality of results, simplify and abstract design flows, establish interoperability and improve embedded processing flows.
"Recently, we commissioned an independent study to evaluate high-level synthesis tool offerings. Based upon benchmarks conducted by BDTI as well as Xilinx Research Labs, it was clear that AutoPilot's quality of results matched or exceeded hand-coded RTL for data path-intensive and DSP designs. We're delighted to welcome the AutoESL team to Xilinx. Together, I have every confidence we'll deliver on the promise of FPGA-based electronic system-level design."
Xilinx did not disclose terms of the acquisition. The majority of AutoESL employees currently located at the company's headquarters in Cupertino, California and Beijing, China, will become Xilinx employees.
