VIPswitch Partners With Xilinx to Move Beyond Asics for Optical Switch/Routing; Remotely Programmable Chips are a Perfect Fit for New Line of Optical Terabit Routers

Business Wire, March 28, 2001

Business & High Tech Editors

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 28, 2001

Xilinx, Inc., (NASDAQ:XLNX) announced today that VIPswitch, a leading developer of a new class of application-aware Terabit Switch/Routers, has chosen Xilinx Virtex(R)-II Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) devices for VIPswitch's Open Metro Networks(TM) V-MAN 160G optical Terabit switch/router. A vast improvement over the limitations associated with ASICs, VIPswitch selected Xilinx(R) Virtex-II devices based upon the design flexibility offered by FPGAs and the ability to reprogram the system in the field -- even after installation at the customer's facility.

"In adopting FPGAs in our designs, rather than ASICs, we are safeguarding ourselves and our customers against costly future upgrades due to the ever changing requirements in this space," said Brian Bowyer, senior vice president of product development and program management at VIPswitch. "With Xilinx FPGAs, our switch/router will be the first that can be fully implemented and reprogrammed without relying on an ASIC. The technologically advanced Virtex-II product family enabled us to overcome cost, dissipation, performance and footprint issues that are usually found in traditional FPGAs. It was hard to justify the cost of an ASIC when Virtex-II FPGAs offered the best price, reliability, and the smallest footprint. It really provided just what we needed."

VIPswitch also based their selection on the Xilinx Controlled Impedance Technology (XCITE(TM)) feature, which is unique to Virtex-II FPGAs. This capability uses two external reference resistors to hold input and output impedance for hundreds of I/O pins. Benefits include a reduction in on-board resistors that significantly reduce system costs and board re-spins. Eliminating hundreds of resistors using the XCITE technology, VIPswitch designers reduced board real estate and complexity and increased reliability.

"The XCITE capability enabled our design team to use the board more efficiently, resulting in fewer board re-spins and lower PCB costs," said Yvon Gaudreau, senior manager of hardware development for VIPswitch. "Virtex-II FPGAs provided us with the ideal platform for our design."

"VIPswitch's application of Xilinx FPGAs further demonstrates our penetration into the ASIC market," said Clay Johnson, vice president of the advanced product group for Xilinx. "With ever-increasing bandwidth requirements, system engineers face extreme signal integrity issues. Our XCITE signal integrity technology in the Virtex-II FPGAs dramatically simplifies board design and maximizes system performance."

VIPswitch experienced early on the many benefits of using Virtex-II devices. Virtex-II FPGAs are the first offering in the new Xilinx Platform FPGA and represent a flexible solution that integrates a wide variety of hard and soft IP cores on a single device whose hardware and firmware can be upgraded at any time. The programmability of the architecture reduces system development time yet enables a single Platform FPGA to be targeted at multiple applications.

About VIPswitch

VIPswitch delivers a new class of switch/routers for Metropolitan Area Networks. VIPswitch breakthrough application aware routing technology serves the needs of a new breed of Service Providers who are shaping the MAN of tomorrow. With VIPswitch, these service providers can now deliver premium services, and real-time applications -- with guaranteed QoS -- to their subscribers and generate revenue accordingly. VIPswitch products modular scalability -- from Gigabits to Terabits-- is the missing link that enables savvy metropolitan service providers to build cost-effective optical IP networks. VIPswitch is a privately held company with offices in Boston and Montreal. For more information, please visit VIPswitch on the web at www.VIPswitch.com, send an email to info@VIPswitch.com or call 800-638-2677.

About Xilinx

Xilinx is the leading innovator of complete programmable logic solutions, including advanced integrated circuits, software design tools, predefined system functions delivered as cores, and unparalleled field engineering support. Founded in 1984 and headquartered in San Jose, Calif., Xilinx invented the field programmable gate array (FPGA) and commands more than half of the world market for these devices today. Xilinx solutions enable customers to reduce significantly the time required to develop products for the computer, peripheral, telecommunications, networking, industrial control, instrumentation, high-reliability/military, and consumer markets. For more information, visit the Xilinx web site at www.xilinx.com.

VIPswitch is a registered trademark of VIPswitch Inc. VIPswitch V-MAN series , VIPswitch 160, VIPswitch 360, VIPswitch 1600, VIPswitch 3240 and the VIPswitch QoS IP MAN switch are proprietary trademarks of VIPswitch. All other trademarks are property of their respective companies.