Altera and Tensilica Announce the Xtensa Microprocessor Core Now Available for APEX Devices

SAN JOSE, Calif.--Sept. 29, 1999 --- Altera Corporation (Nasdaq:ALTR) and Tensilica Inc. today announced the availability of Tensilica's 32-bit Xtensa(TM) microprocessor core for Altera's APEX 20K family of programmable logic devices (PLDs). Beginning in Q4, the APEX-optimized core will be accessible through Tensilica's web-based Xtensa Processor Generator that allows designers to select the APEX architecture as the target silicon technology. Designers will be able to execute multiple design iterations without charge, making area, speed, power, and code density design tradeoffs based on real-time feedback from the Generator. When the optimal configuration is determined, the designer will be able to license and download the APEX-tailored netlist that is then ported to the Altera design environment and implemented on an APEX embedded programmable logic device.

"This new development represents a major breakthrough in System-on-a-Programmable-Chip design", said Craig Lytle, senior director of Altera's intellectual property business unit. "Utilizing the Xtensa processor on high-density APEX devices will give designers the ability to perfect the processor to meet the individual performance and feature requirements of their particular applications".

"We are very excited about being able to support the microprocessor needs of the programmable logic design community by providing an automated path for an optimized APEX netlist", said Bernie Rosenthal, vice president of Tensilica marketing and business development. "This new development will provide Altera customers with access to our Xtensa technology, and enable them to realize systems on a programmable chip, utilizing the extraordinary configurability and flexibility inherent in our processor core and its robust instruction set architecture".

Xtensa Processor Core

The Xtensa configurable processor is a 32-bit synthesizable CPU core based upon a rich instruction set architecture. Using Tensilica Instruction Extension ("TIE") language, designers can incorporate their own system-specific instructions to further customize their design. Designers can modify the feature set of the processor, including cache sizes, write buffer sizes, address and data bus widths, and other core parameters.

One of the most important features of Xtensa is the automated creation of a complete software development tool environment individually tailored to each processor configuration. Tensilica's software development suite features a C/C++ compiler, an assembler, a linker, a debugger, a cycle-accurate instruction-set simulator, and a code profiler.

About the APEX PLD Family

The Xtensa microprocessor core has been optimized for the APEX 20K400 device and higher-density devices. The EP20K400 device is fabricated on a 0.25-micron (drawn), six-layer metal SRAM process and features 16,640 logic elements, 104 embedded system blocks, and up to 1664 macrocells and 212,992 bits of on-chip RAM for a combined total of approximately 400,000 gates, or a maximum of 1,052,000 system gates.

All devices in the APEX family feature Altera's unique MultiCore architecture, which combines look-up table logic, product-term logic and embedded memory into MegaLAB(TM) blocks. Each MegaLAB block is connected to all other MegaLAB blocks in the device via Altera's continuous FastTrack(R) Interconnect routing structure. Each embedded system block (ESB) within a MegaLAB block contains 2,048 programmable bits; these bits can be configured to support product-terms, dual-port RAM or ROM.

Availability and Pricing

Tensilica's Xtensa AMPP microprocessor core is available directly through Tensilica. The Xtensa will be available with the features selection and test-drive options through Tensilica's web site in Q4 1999. The license fee for the use of the Xtensa IP under the Altera AMPP program is $74,000 for a single-node one-year royalty free license.

About Tensilica

Tensilica was founded in July 1997 to address the fast growing market for application-specific microprocessor cores and software development tools in high volume, embedded systems. Using the company's proprietary Xtensa Processor Generator, system-on-a-chip (SOC) designers can develop a processor subsystem hardware design and a complete software development tool environment tailored to their specific requirements in hours. Tensilica's solutions provide a proven, easy-to-use, methodology that enables designers to achieve optimum application performance in minimum design time. The Company is engaged in research, development, and customer support from its offices in Santa Clara, California, Waltham, Massachusetts, and Yokohama, Japan. For more information about Tensilica visit the World Wide Web at http://www.tensilica.com

About AMPP

The Altera Megafunction Partners Program, established in August 1995, was created to bring the advantages of design reuse to users of Altera PLDs. AMPP(SM) is an alliance between Altera and developers of intellectual property (IP) cores that encourages megafunction development. Altera provides technical information and training to AMPP partners, who create and support IP cores targeted for Altera programmable logic devices. There are 27 partners who offer 91 megafunctions; customers may automatically request a free evaluation of any of these IP cores by selecting the Altera Alliances link at the Altera web site: http://www.altera.com .

About Altera

Altera Corporation, The Programmable Solutions Company(TM), was founded in 1983 and is a leading supplier of programmable logic devices and associated logic development software tools. Programmable logic devices are semiconductor chips that can be programmed on-site, using software tools that run on personal computers or engineering workstations. User benefits include ease of use, lower risk, and fast time-to-market. Altera's CMOS-based programmable logic devices address high-speed, high-density and low-power applications in the telecommunications, data communications, computer peripheral, and industrial markets. Altera common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol ALTR. More information on Altera can be obtained on the Internet at http://www.altera.com .

Altera, The Programmable Solutions Company, AMPP, APEX, System-on-a-Programmable-Chip, MultiCore, MegaLab, and specific device designations are trademarks and/or service marks of Altera Corporation in the U.S. and other countries. Tensilica and Xtensa are trademarks belonging to Tensilica Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective holders.