Actel: Empowering Innovation and Speeding Up Design Cycles

Actel, a pioneer in programmable logic devices (PLDs), has been at the forefront of innovation for over three decades. Their cutting-edge products and solutions have revolutionized the way engineers design and develop complex electronic systems, empowering them to bring their ideas to life faster and more efficiently.

Actel's Legacy of Excellence

Since its inception in 1985, Actel has consistently pushed the boundaries of programmable logic technology. Their breakthroughs have included the introduction of the first commercially available PLDs, the first field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and the first programmable system-on-a-chip (SoC) devices.

Today, Actel is a global leader in PLDs and FPGAs, with a customer base spanning a wide range of industries, including communications, aerospace, defense, automotive, and consumer electronics. Their products are renowned for their high performance, low power consumption, and cost-effectiveness, making them an ideal choice for a multitude of applications.

Actel's Core Technologies

Actel's success stems from its unwavering commitment to innovation and its investment in cutting-edge technologies. These include:

• Anti-fuse Technology: Actel's patented anti-fuse technology forms the foundation of their PLDs and FPGAs. Unlike traditional fuse-based FPGAs, anti-fuse devices do not require a high-voltage programming pulse, eliminating the risk of device damage and reducing programming time.

  

  

• SmartFusion2 SoC FPGAs: Actel's SmartFusion2 SoC FPGAs combine programmable logic fabric with a powerful ARM Cortex-M3 processor, providing a complete system-on-a-chip solution for demanding applications.

  

• Fusion Design Platform: The Fusion Design Platform is Actel's comprehensive software suite for designing and implementing PLD and FPGA-based systems. It features an intuitive graphical user interface, advanced debugging tools, and support for a wide range of Actel devices.

Actel's Impact on the Industry

Actel's contributions to the electronics industry have been profound. Their products have enabled engineers to:

• Reduce design time: Actel's PLDs and FPGAs allow engineers to prototype and iterate designs quickly, significantly reducing development time.

  

• Improve product quality: Actel's devices are highly reliable and provide a high degree of design flexibility, resulting in better-performing, more robust electronic systems.

• Lower costs: Actel's cost-effective solutions help engineers optimize their designs without sacrificing performance or quality.

Case Studies: Actel in Action

Actel's solutions have been instrumental in the success of numerous groundbreaking products and applications, including:

• Satellite Communications: Actel's radiation-hardened FPGAs power satellites orbiting the Earth, enabling secure and reliable communication.

• Military Systems: Actel's PLDs and FPGAs are used in a wide range of military applications, including radar systems, missile guidance, and electronic warfare equipment.

  

• Automotive Electronics: Actel's devices are found in automotive airbag systems, engine control units, and advanced driver assistance systems.

Story 1: The Case of the Missing Fuse

Once upon a time, a young engineer named Alice was working on a critical design for a new medical device. She had been using a traditional fuse-based FPGA, but one fateful day, the fuse blew during programming, rendering the device unusable.

Frustrated and on a tight deadline, Alice turned to Actel's anti-fuse technology. She was amazed to find that she could program her FPGA without worrying about fuse damage or programming failures. The result? She completed her design ahead of schedule, saving her team both time and money.

What We Learn: Never underestimate the power of anti-fuse technology!

Story 2: The SmartFusion Superhero

A high-flying engineer named Mark was tasked with designing a complex embedded system for a next-generation aircraft. He needed a device that could handle both digital and analog signals, as well as provide high processing power.

After much research, Mark discovered Actel's SmartFusion2 SoC FPGAs. These devices not only met his performance requirements, but also provided him with the flexibility he needed to integrate multiple functions onto a single chip. The result? A high-flying embedded system that exceeded expectations.

What We Learn: SmartFusion2 SoC FPGAs are the superheroes of embedded system design.

Story 3: The Fusion Design Adventure

Emily, an adventurous engineer, was embarking on her first PLD design project. She was overwhelmed by the complexity of the tools and the learning curve.

Luckily, she stumbled upon Actel's Fusion Design Platform. The intuitive interface and comprehensive documentation made it easy for her to get started. Emily quickly mastered the software and completed her design with ease.

What We Learn: Fusion Design Platform is the perfect companion for PLD and FPGA design adventures.

How to Use Actel's Products

Actel provides a comprehensive ecosystem of resources to help engineers design and implement PLD and FPGA-based systems. These resources include:

1. Documentation: Actel's website offers a wealth of documentation, including user manuals, reference guides, and application notes.

2. Technical Support: Actel's expert technical support team is available to answer questions and provide assistance throughout the design process.

3. Training: Actel offers training courses and workshops to help engineers develop the skills necessary to effectively use their products.

Step-by-Step Approach to Using Actel's Products:

1. Define your design requirements: Identify the functionality, performance, and cost targets for your design.

2. Choose the right device: Use Actel's selection tools to identify the PLD or FPGA that best meets your requirements.

3. Design your system: Use Actel's Fusion Design Platform to create your system design.

4. Program your device: Use Actel's programming tools to program your PLD or FPGA.

5. Test and verify your system: Use Actel's debugging tools to verify the functionality of your system.

Pros and Cons of Using Actel's Products

Pros:

• High performance
• Low power consumption
• Cost-effectiveness
• Mature technology
• Extensive support ecosystem

Cons:

• Limited device options compared to some other FPGA vendors
• Anti-fuse technology may not be suitable for all applications

FAQs

1. What is the difference between a PLD and an FPGA?

A PLD (programmable logic device) is a general-purpose device that can be programmed to perform a specific function. An FPGA (field-programmable gate array) is a more flexible device that can be programmed to perform a wider range of functions.

2. What is the advantage of using anti-fuse technology?

Anti-fuse technology eliminates the risk of device damage during programming, reduces programming time, and provides higher programming reliability.

3. What is the Fusion Design Platform?

The Fusion Design Platform is Actel's comprehensive software suite for designing and implementing PLD and FPGA-based systems.

4. How can I get support for using Actel's products?

Actel offers a range of support resources, including documentation, technical support, and training.

5. What industries use Actel's products?

Actel's products are used in a wide range of industries, including communications, aerospace, defense, automotive, and consumer electronics.

6. How do I choose the right Actel device for my design?

Actel provides a variety of selection tools to help engineers choose the right device for their specific requirements.

Tables

Table 1: Actel Product Families

Table 2: Actel Anti-fuse Technology Advantages

Table 3: Actel Fusion Design Platform Features

Conclusion

Actel's commitment to innovation and its cutting-edge technologies empower engineers to design and implement complex electronic systems with unprecedented speed and efficiency. Whether you're developing a satellite communication system, an automotive airbag control unit, or a military radar system, Actel's products and solutions will help you bring your ideas to life faster than ever before.