Xilinx confirms AccelChip acqusition

The AccelChip® DSP Synthesis tools and DSP library of algorithmic intellectual property (IP) will be offered as part of Xilinx® XtremeDSP™ solutions that include the System Generator for DSP™ design tools, rich DSP libraries, and reference designs. This unique combination of DSP technologies enables thousands of DSP algorithm and system designers who use MATLAB and Simulink® (The MathWorks, Inc.) to create high-performance systems using Xilinx reconfigurable DSPs. Consistent with the DSP strategy and product roadmaps unveiled by Xilinx in October 2005, tools such as those offered by Xilinx and AccelChip accelerate the adoption of application-optimized solutions for digital communications; multimedia, video and imaging (MVI); and defense systems. Together the companies have significant customer overlap and synergy across these market segments, key elements for targeting the $2 billion high-performance DSP market. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed, however, the acquisition represents less than one percent of the total assets of Xilinx as of the end of its third quarter ended December 31, 2005. The company anticipates booking the acquisition in the March 2006 ending quarter. The majority of AccelChip employees, located at the Company's headquarters in Milpitas, Calif. and two design centers in North America, will become employees within the Xilinx DSP Division. “AccelChip provides an excellent strategic fit with our existing DSP products and roadmaps,” said Omid Tahernia (pictured), vice president and general manager for the DSP Division at Xilinx. “The combination of AccelChip and Xilinx System Generator will help accelerate delivery and adoption of our robust, application-optimized solutions by many more DSP developers. We are delighted to welcome the very talented AccelChip team to our DSP Division.” “It is clear that most DSP designers want a design flow that starts with MATLAB and Simulink, and also supports modeling in the C programming language,” added Vin Ratford, president and CEO of AccelChip. “The merging of our tools and libraries of DSP algorithms will provide a world-class platform for a host of new DSP applications, and will create new design wins for Xilinx reconfigurable DSP silicon.” Xilinx DSP Strategy Xilinx's strategy is to deliver application-optimized XtremeDSP solutions on the industry's most compelling performance per dollar reconfigurable DSP using Xilinx programmable devices. The XtremeDSP solutions encompass specialized hardware development platforms, algorithmic libraries, as well as robust design and verification tool suites.