History

• Xilinx Inc., was founded in 1984 to promote the applications of co-founder Ross Freeman's invention, the semi-conductor. The semi-conductor represented a new field of logic devices known as programmable logic, which allowed consumers to customize their computing abilities better than with the previous industry standard, the fixed logic device. Over the years, transistor density has increased dramatically, allowing for the development of smaller devices able to complete complex logic functions.
  
  In 1985, Xilinx released the XC2064, a form of the semi-conductor known as the field programmable gate array (FPGA). The FPGA has been the flagship Xilinx device ever since. In 2006, Xilinx unveiled the Virtex-5 family of FPGAs, at that time the industry's fastest logic device, measuring only 65 nm (nanometers). As of 2009, Xilinx is responsible for the creation of 90 percent of the world's FPGA devices in use.
  
  

CPLDs

• The complex programmable logic device, or CPLD, is a lower-density logic device offering up to 10,000 gates. Each gate allows for a logic function to be performed in a digital circuit, often using the principles of Boolean logic. CPLDs contain significantly fewer gates than FPGAs, making them less adept at deciphering larger amounts of computing input. CPLDs are most commonly found controlling the critical functions of smaller electronic devices, such as cell phones or personal digital assistants.
  
  Xilinx's top line of CPLDs is known as the CoolRunner-II family. This family of complex programmable logic devices offers a minimum 20 years of data retention and the ability to develop logic expressions from more than 40 inputs within a single function block in a macrocell. The CoolRunner-II line of CPLDs is also highly efficient, running off a mere 1.8 volts.
  
  

FPGAs

• Field programmable gate arrays, or FPGAs, are much more flexible than standard CPLDs and can undertake heavier logic functions. Instead of the CPLD macrocell, FPGAs operate through logic blocks connected by programmable wiring and bounded by I/O blocks which control access to and functionality of the logic blocks. Individual FPGAs are smaller than CPLDs but are much more flexible and can be designed to undertake heavy computing.
  
  The Virtex-6 SXT line of FPGAs is Xilinx's best group of high end field programmable gate arrays. These devices offer at least 300,000 logic cells per unit, running off 1 volt of electricity or less. Xilinx offers consumers the ability to choose two different serial transceiver types, both providing a bandwidth greater than 11 Gbps.
  
  

Xilinx Applications

• Xilinx programmable logic devices have been utilized in a variety of industries, including data processing, broadcast technology and even aerospace and defense. Xilinx Aerospace & Defense applications offer technologies that will work in extreme climate conditions, including intense heat and radiation. Xilinx has also been able to convert the basic technologies of programmable logic devices for applications in automotive on-board computers, digital imagers used in hospitals and consumer networking devices.
  
  

Consumer Training

• Xilinx offers training for consumers who wish to take advantage of Xilinx technologies but may not have the knowledge of how to do so. At Xilinx's home page, xilinx.com, scroll your mouse over "Products & Services" in the top margin. Select "Training" from the drop-down list that appears. This will bring you to a page allowing you to register for live training courses with an instructor to learn more about FPGA design, CDLP implementation and other applications of Xilinx technologies. Xilinx also makes available a number of free downloadable educational videos aimed at increasing a hardware designer's awareness of Xilinx applications and their technological abilities. To access these videos, you will be prompted for your name, email address, company name and your world region. After entering this information, and accepting the Xilinx terms of service, you will be able to access a downloadable ZIP file containing your chosen video.