Mentor Graphics Announces New Bit-Accurate C++ Datatypes that Accelerate Algorithm Validation by 10x
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WILSONVILLE, Ore., June 27, 2006 – Mentor Graphics Corporation (Nasdaq: MENT) today announced the availability of Algorithmic C™ datatypes, new high-speed datatypes based on ANSI C++. These arbitrary-bit-width datatypes enable algorithm, system and hardware designers to precisely model bit-true behavior in C++ specifications while accelerating simulation speeds by 10-200x. Mentor Graphics® is making the new C++ datatypes immediately available to the electronics designers and electronic design automation (EDA) tool vendors free of charge at http://www.mentor.com/products/c-based_design/download/ac_datatypes.cfm. Arbitrary Bit Widths and Fast Simulation Based on universal standard ANSI C++, the new integer and fixed-point Algorithmic C datatypes offer the best of both worlds, allowing algorithm and system designers to specify arbitrary bit widths while improving simulation performance by 10-200x versus other datatypes such as SystemC. Arbitrary bit widths are also critical for high-level synthesis, as they allow hardware designers to make tradeoffs between hardware size and numerical precision. For example, a hardware designer would use arbitrary bit widths to explore tradeoffs in area, performance, or power versus image quality in a video application. "By offering efficient fixed-point C++ datatypes, Mentor is adding a valuable link in the C-to-RTL design chain. Mentor's open standard enables Catalytic’s hardware synthesis users to conduct faster algorithm validation as they convert their floating-point MATLAB descriptions to fixed-point ANSI C++ models, and ensure bit-width precision throughout the entire implementation flow," said Dave Burow, president and CEO of Catalytic. Consistent, Intuitive Semantics Ensure Ease of Use “The Algorithmic C data types improve the ability of designers to move between different levels of abstraction, while minimizing inconsistencies and ambiguities when a design is transformed from algorithm to implementation,” said Venkat Krishnaswamy, vice president of Applications Engineering & Services, Calypto Design Systems. “Calypto’s customers are interested in bridging the gap between System and RTL for verification as well as implementation. This is a welcome technology to reduce that gap, making ESL design and verification more viable.” Mentor Graphics will offer a suite seminar on the new AC Datatypes at the 43rd Design Automation Conference in San Francisco, July 24-27. To register, please go to www.mentor.com . About Mentor Graphics
Mentor Graphics is a registered trademark, and Algorithmic C is a trademark of Mentor Graphics Corporation. All other company or product names are the registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective owners. For more information, please contact: Nate James Sonia Harrison
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