NewsCAST Releases New ASIC and DSP Cores

C2910A, C8254, C29116A, C49410, and C8051 cores are no longer available

Design Automation Conference, Anaheim, California, June 9, 1997 - VHDL intellectual property provider CAST, Inc. today announced the addition of several new synthesizable cores to its ASIC Cores Series, and the release of a new family of synthesizable cores called the Functionality DSP Series.

With the new additions, the ASIC Core Series includes about a dozen different processors, controllers, communications devices and other functions (see list later). These are available in flexible VHDL source code form, or in a more economical precompiled (netlist) form already optimized for Altera or Xilinx implementations. Pricing varies by core but is overall meant to help make IP-based design more affordable to mainstream designers. Altera netlist cores, for example, start at $2,000.

The new Functionality DSP Series provides VHDL source code for 35 common digital signal processing functions, including various filters, math functions, a Viterbi decoder, elastic buffers, and input/output interfaces. These parameterized cores make it easy for designers to experiment with and implement different DSP algorithms. The cores are available individually, or in a discounted library package.

All the new cores announced today are available immediately.

Cores and Models Product Lines

CAST carries three lines of synthesizable cores:

The Synthesizable Standard Component VHDL Library (SCVL-S) provides cores for several hundred TTL functions and generic devices. Customer uses of these cores include the easy retargeting of old boards to FPGAs and CPLDs.

The new Functionality DSP Cores Series, as just described.

The ASIC Cores Series helps customers focus on the unique aspects of their applications or products by providing these VLSI-level device cores:

• C2910A Microprogram Controller
• C49410 Microprogram Controller
• C8251 USART
• C6850 Asynch. Comm. Interface
• C8254 Programmable Timer/Counter
• C8255 Parallel Interface Peripheral
• C_UART Univ. Asynch. Receiver/Transmitter
• C8259 Programmable Interrupt Controller
• C8051 Microcontroller
• C29116A 16-Bit Microprocessor
• C68450 DMA Controller

CAST also carries lines of VHDL simulation models, from simple TTL devices through memory elements like 64 Mbit synchronous DRAMs from NEC and Samsung up to advanced functions and devices including the Intel Pentium™ Processor. The line of models is continually growing; designers should check the company's Web site (www.cast-inc.com) for the latest catalog.

CAST at DAC

CAST will provide more information on its new cores and other products in a DAC vendor presentation today at 4:40 PM, in exhibit booth #1304, and in their private demo suite.

The new cores and all other CAST products are available worldwide; customers should check the CAST Web site for their local distributors. CAST is a member of the Virtual Socket Interface Alliance (VSIA), and of the Altera AMPP and Xilinx AlllianceCORE programs.

CAST, Inc. is located at 24 White Birch Drive, Pomona, NY 10970.
Phone: 914/354-4945, fax: 914/354-0325, e-mail: info@cast-inc.com,
Web URL: http://www.cast-inc.com.