Actel Introduces 1553B Core For Military, Space and Avionics Markets

IP Provides a Flexible, Cost-Efficient, Single-Chip Remote-Terminal FPGA Solution

MILITARY AND AEROSPACE PROGRAMMABLE LOGIC DEVICES CONFERENCE, LAUREL, Maryland, September 10, 2002 - Actel Corporation (Nasdaq: ACTL) today announced it has developed a MIL-STD-1553B remote-terminal core for space, avionics and military applications in which high-reliability and system redundancy are essential. Designed for use with Actel's field- programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), the Core1553BRT intellectual property (IP) core enables a flexible system solution with the Core1553BRT and a peripheral on a single chip. The Actel solution speeds time to market and reduces design and assembly costs when compared with available fixed-semiconductor 1553B products that require separate board components. Verified by both Actel and Test Systems International, an independent MIL-STD-1553B test house, Actel's Core1553BRT meets all the requirements for dual-redundant remote-terminal operation.

"Actel has established a reputation for delivering industry-leading solutions that meet the highest standards of quality for mission- critical, high-reliability applications," stated Yankin Tanurhan, senior director of Actel's IP Solutions Group. "Certified to meet the 1553B standard, our new Core1553BRT in combination with our leading- edge nonvolatile FPGA solutions provides designers with a versatile, cost-efficient, single-chip solution for a broad range of military, space, commercial and industrial environments. Further, because our core is compliant with legacy 1553B systems, customers can easily upgrade their existing designs without long design cycles and expensive non-recurring engineering costs."

1553BRT Core Key Features
Actel's Core1553BRT is MIL-STD-1553B compliant per the remote-terminal validation test plan in MIL-HDBK-1553 Appendix A, passing all protocol, electrical and noise requirements of the 1553B standard. It is a complete dual-redundant remote-terminal bus that can interface to standard external transceivers and legacy systems, enabling designers to replace existing components and easily reuse current software drivers. The Core1553BRT supports ten message types, including RT-to- RT and broadcast BC-to-RT data transfers, and provides low-power operation from either a 12 MHz or 16 MHz clock.

Delivering a complete system solution, Actel provides everything needed to incorporate a 1553B remote terminal into a system design, including development tools, documentation and software. In addition, Actel plans to offer a fully verified development board that complies with MIL-STD-1553B to help simplify design execution and test.

Price and Availability
The Core1553BRT is available now with documentation accessible from Actel's website: http://www.actel.com/products/ip. Pricing for the Core1553BRT is $4,995 for a single-use netlist. The development board based on this core is priced at $1,895 and should be available in October 2002.

About Actel
Actel Corporation is a supplier of innovative programmable logic solutions, including field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) based on antifuse and flash technologies, high-performance intellectual property (IP) cores, software development tools and design services targeted for the high-speed communications, application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) replacement and radiation-tolerant markets. Founded in 1985, Actel employs approximately 500 people worldwide. The Company is traded on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol ACTL and is headquartered at 955 East Arques Avenue, Sunnyvale, Calif., 94086-4533. Telephone: 888-99-ACTEL (992-2835). Internet: http://www.actel.com.

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