The FPMM represents not only a collaborative work between Xilinx and Synopsys, but also decades of best-practices in prototyping, drawing upon the expertise of teams in leading semiconductor and application companies around the world.

This video features two of the three authors of the FPMM: Doug Amos, Business Development Manager, Solutions Marketing, Synopsys, and Austin Lesea, Principal Engineer, Xilinx. Together, they share their insights on the history and impetus behind the development of the FPMM, and the benefits of prototyping.

Full Announcement

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. and SAN JOSE, Calif. — March 2, 2011—Synopsys, Inc. (Nasdaq:SNPS), a world leader in software and IP for semiconductor design, verification and manufacturing, and Xilinx, Inc. (Nasdaq:XLNX), the industry leader in programmable logic, today announced the availability of the FPGA-Based Prototyping Methodology Manual (FPMM), a practical guide to using FPGAs as a platform for system-on-chip (SoC) development. The FPMM captures valuable design and verification expertise contributed by engineering teams from BBC Research & Development; Design of System on Silicon, S.A. (DS2); Freescale Semiconductor; LSI, Inc.; NVIDIA Corp.; STMicroelectronics; and Texas Instruments (TI), which have successfully employed FPGA-based prototyping to accelerate complex ASIC and SoC development projects.

The manual covers all aspects of FPGA-based prototyping, including understanding the challenges and benefits of prototyping, the implementation of a SoC design in FPGA, and finally, its use for software and system validation. Synopsys and Xilinx expect the FPMM to be the catalyst for an online, interactive FPGA-based prototyping community, hosted at http://www.synopsys.com/fpmm, where prototypers can raise challenges and exchange best practices.

FPMM authors Doug Amos and René Richter of Synopsys and Austin Lesea of Xilinx are experts in FPGA technology and prototyping of designs using FPGAs. Recognizing that SoC designs are usually created for ASIC technology implementation, and therefore present specific challenges for implementation in one or more FPGA devices, the authors created a unique reference guide that will help not only first-time prototypers, but also experienced teams and project leaders. In addition to surveying the range of prototyping options, from virtual prototyping through building custom boards to purchasing complete prototyping systems, the FPMM outlines a methodology called Design-for-Prototyping. Design-for-Prototyping integrates FPGA-based prototyping seamlessly into the ASIC/SoC project so that the design can be more readily implemented and made available at the earliest opportunity to the end-users. This approach delivers productivity benefits by connecting to system-level tools like virtual prototyping for earlier software development and during the crucial later stages of a project when hardware and software are integrated for the first time.

About the Manual and Availability

The FPMM contains 15 comprehensive chapters and two appendices that cover real-world examples. The manual is organized into chapters that parallel the tasks and decisions faced during an FPGA-based prototyping project. The chapters are also designed to stand alone, allowing the manual to be used as a reference.

For more information on the FPMM, including how to purchase a copy through Amazon.com or to download a free eBook version, please go to the FPMM website at http://www.synopsys.com/fpmm. Additionally, to learn more about the other methodology manuals and educational publications produced by Synopsys Press, visit http://www.synopsys.com/synopsyspress.