Synopsys and Compaq Announce First Simulation Model for New PCI-X Standard

Synopsys and Compaq Announce First Simulation Model for New PCI-X Standard

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.----March 23, 2000--Synopsys, Inc. and Compaq Computer Corporation today announced availability of the first simulation model based on the proven Compaq PCI-X technology. PCI-X improves system performance by up to two times over existing PCI bus technology by offering greater I/O performance and efficiency. The Synopsys PCI-X model provides accurate, pre-verified implementations of the PCI-X standard that can be used to simulate PCI-X based designs and verify that they conform to the new standard.

In conjunction with the announcement, Synopsys is offering designers a free, 15-day evaluation of the new PCI-X simulation model. For more information on the trial, visit www.synopsys.com/PCI-X.

Synopsys is a member of Compaq's Golden Master Program, which is committed to providing best-in-class PCI-X solutions. As a member of the Golden Master Program, Synopsys has licensed PCI-X technology from Compaq and has received early access to Compaq tools and support designed to simplify and accelerate industry adoption of PCI-X based products.

The PCI-X model generates accurate test stimuli, monitors and detects protocol violations, and provides an easy method to quickly generate the large number of test vectors required to verify complex ASICs and systems-on-a-chip. This approach typically saves users two to three man-years in model development, validation, maintenance and test case constructions.

``Compaq continues to lead the industry in PCI-X product development and integration,'' said Ken Jansen, director of Advanced Server Architecture and Design, Industry-Standard Server Division, Compaq Computer Corporation. ``Synopsys, with its track record of providing the innovative design tools and models to support the early adoption of industry standards, can significantly reduce the challenges associated with complying with the PCI-X standard. By using these pre-verified tools, ASIC designers can greatly enhance the quality of their devices, and reduce the chances that a bug will slip by. This can help designers shave months off their project schedules.''

Simplifying the Transition to the PCI-X Standard

The Synopsys PCI-X model supports all major design flows and can be controlled directly from Verilog, VHDL, VERA or C testbenches.

To further simplify the transition to the new PCI-X standard, the new model will support PCI-X transactions through additional commands or command arguments within the current PCI FlexModel developed by Synopsys. This will make it possible to immediately verify conventional PCI transactions in PCI-X devices and to rapidly develop test cases for new PCI-X transactions

``With verification now consuming more than half the time spent on a typical design, our customers clearly need all the tools and expertise available to help them deliver fully-compliant designs in as little time as possible,'' said Ed Bard, director of marketing for Synopsys Large Systems Technology Group. ``This is particularly important with a new standard - such as PCI-X - where the opportunity to realize the significant performance and time-to-market advantages of the standard are directly linked to the time it takes to learn, understand and implement it. Our standard interface models have demonstrated that they can provide the instant expertise to let even the earliest adopters take full advantage of the PCI-X standard.''

The new PCI-X simulation model is available immediately. Prices for the PCI/PCI-X FlexModel start at $7,000 (USD) for a one-year license. The new model will be available as a no-charge update for current Synopsys PCI-Bus FlexModel users. For more information, contact your local Synopsys representative, check the worldwide web: www.synopsys.com/PCI-X or email verify@synopsys.com.

About the PCI-X Standard

A compatible extension of the existing PCI Bus standard, the 64-bit PCI-X architecture runs at speeds up to 133 MHz, providing transfer rates above 1gigabyte per second. This critical I/O bandwidth is needed for industry-standard servers running enterprise applications such as Gigabit Ethernet, Fibre Channel, Ultra3 SCSI and Cluster Interconnects. PCI-X ensures investment protection because it offers backward compatibility with existing PCI-based systems. As one of the pioneers of PCI-X, Compaq has spent more than a year leading the PCI-X technical work group for the PCI Special Interest Group (SIG). This workgroup has created the PCI-X specification, an open industry standard available from the PCI SIG (http://www.pcisig.com).

The Synopsys Verification Solution

Synopsys provides the most comprehensive modeling support for industry standard interfaces. In addition to the new PCI-X model, Synopsys offers bus compliant models for the PCI, AGP, IEEE-1394A, USB, Ethernet, ISA, EISA, SCSI-2, VME and PC Card standards. These models are part of a comprehensive Synopsys verification solution that also includes VCS(TM), the industry's fastest Verilog simulator, and Scirocco(TM) the highest-performance VHDL simulator, a comprehensive range of proven Logic Modeling IP models for simulation, the Synopsys Eaglei® hardware/software co-verification tools and the VERA(TM) testbench automation and analysis products.

About Compaq Computer Corporation

Compaq Computer Corporation, a Fortune Global 100 company, is the largest supplier of computing systems in the world. Compaq designs, develops, manufactures and markets hardware, software, solutions and services, including industry-leading enterprise computing solutions, fault-tolerant business-critical solutions, and communications products, commercial desktop and portable products, and consumer PCs for the NonStop(TM) Internet world.

Compaq products and services are sold in more than 200 countries directly to businesses, through a network of authorized Compaq marketing partners, and directly to businesses and consumers through Compaq's e-commerce Web site at http://www.compaq.com. Compaq markets its products and services primarily to customers from the business, home, government, and education sectors. Customer support and information about Compaq and its products and services are available at http://www.compaq.com.

About Synopsys

Synopsys, Inc. is a leading supplier of electronic design automation (EDA) solutions to the global electronics market. The company provides comprehensive design technologies to creators of advanced integrated circuits, electronic systems and systems-on-a-chip. Synopsys also provides consulting services and support to its customers to streamline the overall design process and accelerate time-to-market. Additional information about Synopsys is available at http://www.synopsys.com.