Derivation Systems Announces 3 Million Gate PC/104-Plus FPGA Module Based on Xilinx Virtex-II Architecture

San Francisco, CA, April 23, 2003 - Derivation Systems, Inc. announces the availability of its PC/104-Plus reconfigurable module based on the Xilinx Virtex-II 3000 Platform FPGA, called the PF3100-2V3000™. The module brings ASIC-like performance and integration for low-volume and custom embedded control applications.

The PF3100™ is a family of ultra high-density reconfigurable modules based on Xilinx's Virtex-II Platform FPGAs. The Virtex-II Platform family delivers enhanced system memory and lightening fast DSP through flexible IP-Immersion fabric. The company product lineup includes the successful PF3100-2V1000™ and PF3100-2V3000™ modules.

The PF3100 has been adopted to provide a comprehensive solution to a broad range of applications. These include hyper-spectral imaging, data acquisition, robotics, prototyping, engine control, and communications.

"Thanks to your board we have been able to develop gimbal stabilization solution that should serve us for years to come." -- Aerospace Engineer

The module supports PC/104 and PC/104+ PCI Bus compliant interfaces. Features include Xilinx Virtex-II FPGA, a user configurable architecture, up to 132Mbyte/sec bus bandwidth via PC/104+ bus interface, choice of on-board or host configuration, 64 user configurable I/O pins, 8-bit FPGA configuration interface via PC/104 Bus, 64MB SDRAM accessible by FPGA, 4MB Flash, and on-board oscillators.

The PF3100 is suited for implementing high performance algorithms directly in hardware acting as a high-level coprocessor or standalone controller. With it's LVTTL or LVDS IO capability, the PF3100 can act as a "smart" IO peripheral. As a smart IO device, it can perform computations and control functions autonomously, without CPU intervention.

"Our designs are pushing the capacities of the 1M gate FPGA. We welcome the availability of the PF3100-2V3000. Now our designs have considerable headroom while maintaining compatibility with the PF3100-2V1000." -- Control Engineer

The PF3100 is dynamically reconfigurable allowing different hardware algorithms to be loaded for different phases of a computation. On board FLASH allows the module to configure automatically on power-up or under software control.

PC/104 modules are used in Embedded PC applications where high reliability and a small footprint is required. PC/104 modules are 3.6" by 3.8" in size and are stacked on top of each other using stack-through connectors, thus implementing a backplane less bus. Systems based on PC/104 modules are used in applications such as avionics, industrial control, environmental data acquisition and transportation.

The speed and density of the Virtex-II family provide ASIC-like cost performance and integration can be achieved for medium volume products without the risks of committing to standard ASIC designs. Complex algorithms used in DSP and image processing as well as traditional digital designs can be implemented using a variety of design entry methods.

PF3100s are available with the Virtex-II 1000 and Virtex-II 3000 devices. Prices start at $995.00 in single quantities for PF3100-2V1000 modules and $1,895 for PF3100-2V3000 modules. Software support includes Linux, QNX 6.x, DOS, Win9x, and WinNT/2000/XP.

About Derivation Systems, Inc.
Founded in 1993, Derivation Systems is a leading developer of high-assurance digital systems offering comprehensive solutions in both hardware and software. The company's products include the PF3100 – a PC/104  FPGA modules based on Xilinx's Virtex-II Platform FPGA and LavaCORE – a Java Processor IP Core based on Derivation Systems' proprietary FormalSYNTHESIS™ technology.  Derivation Systems' headquarters is located in Carlsbad, California. For more information please visit www.derivation.com.

Trademarks
PF3100, LavaCore and FormalSYNTHESIS are trademarks of Derivation Systems. Xilinx and Virtex-II are registered trademarks of Xilinx. Java and all other Java-based trademarks are registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems. All other trademarks are registered trademarks of their respective owners.