Xilinx, Inc. engages in the design, development, and marketing of programmable logic solutions, including advanced integrated circuits (ICs), software design tools, predefined system functions delivered as intellectual property (IP) cores, design services, customer training, field engineering and technical support.
The programmable logic devices (PLDs) include field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and complex programmable logic devices (CPLDs). These devices are standard products that the company’s customers program to perform desired logic functions. Its products are designed to provide high integration and quick time-to-market for electronic equipment manufacturers in end markets such as communications, industrial, consumer, automotive and data processing.
Products
Virtex FPGAs
The Virtex-5 FPGA family consists of 15 devices and is the latest generation Virtex family and the PLD industry’s product family manufactured using 65-nanometer (nm) process technology. The Virtex-5 family consists of four platforms: LX for logic-intensive designs, LXT for high-performance logic with serial connectivity, SXT for high-performance digital signal processing (DSP) with serial connectivity and FXT for embedded processing with serial connectivity. Xilinx is shipping devices from the Virtex-5 LX platform, LXT platform and SXT platform.
The 17 device Virtex-4 FPGA family consists of three platforms: LX, SX and FX. Virtex-4 LX FPGAs are optimized for logic-intensive designs, Virtex-4 SX FPGAs are optimized for high-performance DSP, and Virtex-4 FX FPGAs are optimized for embedded processing with serial connectivity. Virtex-4 devices are produced on 90-nm process technology.
Spartan FPGAs
The Spartan-3 family is comprised of different platforms including the original Spartan 3 family, the Spartan-3E family, the Spartan-3A family, the Spartan-3AN family and the Spartan-3A DSP family. The Spartan-3E family consists of five devices and is optimized to deliver the lowest cost per logic cell. The Spartan-3A family consists of seven devices and is optimized to deliver the lowest cost per input/output (I/O). The Spartan-3AN family is a nonvolatile FPGA family consisting of five devices that are optimized for cost sensitive applications where security and board space are customer priorities. The Spartan-3A DSP family targets signal processing applications.
EasyPath FPGAs
EasyPath FPGAs use the same production masks and fabrication process as standard FPGAs and are tested to a specific customer application. EasyPath FPGAs are available for the higher density devices of the Virtex-II and Virtex-II Pro families. EasyPath FPGAs would also be available for the higher densities of the Virtex-4 and Virtex-5 families.
CPLDs
CPLDs operate on the low end of the programmable logic density spectrum. CPLDs are single chip, nonvolatile solutions characterized by instant-on and universal interconnect. The CoolRunner-II family is Xilinx’s latest generation CPLD family with six devices shipping. CoolRunner-II is suitable for a variety of end markets and applications. The CoolRunner XPLA3 family was the first CPLD product to combine very low power consumption with high density and high I/O counts in a single device. This family consists of six devices.
Support Products
Software Solutions
The company offers complete software solutions that enable customers to implement their design specifications into its PLDs. These software design tools combine a technology with an easy-to-use graphical interface to help achieve the possible designs within each customer’s project schedule, regardless of the designer’s experience level. Its software design tools operate on personal computers running Microsoft Windows 2000, XP and Linux operating systems, and on workstations from Sun Microsystems running Solaris.
The Xilinx ISE (Integrated Software Environment) family fits a range of customer needs. ISE also integrates with a range of third-party electronic design automation (EDA) software offerings and point-tool solutions. All Xilinx FPGA and CPLD device families are supported by ISE, including the newest Virtex, Spartan and CoolRunner device families.
Processing Solutions
Xilinx offerings in the areas of DSP and Embedded Processing are aimed at solving system level problems of non-traditional users such as system architects and software engineers. Products available include LogiCORE IP, Connectivity Cores, MicroBlaze and Power PC processors, System Generator for DSP, AccelDSP architectural synthesis, Platform Studio tool and the Embedded Development Kit.
Configuration Solutions
Through the company’s Configuration Solutions Group, Xilinx offers a range of one-time programmable and in-system programmable storage devices to configure Xilinx FPGAs. The PlatformFlash PROM (programmable read only memory) family is the company’s newest offering. This family ranges in density from 1 to 32 megabits and offers full in-system programmability at the lowest cost per megabit of any Xilinx configuration solution. Older solutions include XC1700 family (one-time programmable with density up to 16 megabits), and the XC1800 family (in-system programmable with density up to 4 megabits). PROM solutions support all of the company’s FPGA devices.
Global Services
The company offers a portfolio of global services, which includes education, design and support services. In addition, it offers a personalized online technical resource, www.mysupport.xilinx.com.
Sales and Marketing
The company sells products to OEMs and to electronic components distributors who resell these products to OEMs or subcontract manufacturers.
Suppliers
The company purchases wafers from multiple foundries including United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC), Toshiba Corporation (Toshiba), and Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko).
Customers
The company’s major customer, as of March 31, 2007, included Avnet, Inc.
Competition
The company’s competitors include Altera Corporation (Altera), Lattice Semiconductor Corporation, and Actel Corporation.
History
Xilinx, Inc. was founded in 1984.
