BDTI Unveils High-Level Synthesis Tools Certification Program Results By BDTI, 1/20/2010 This week BDTI released the first results from its High-Level Synthesis Tools Certification Program (HLSTCP).  The first tools to achieve certification are AutoESL’s AutoPilot and Synfora’s PICO.  Additional certifications will be released on an ongoing basis, as agreements with tool vendors allow.  The HLSTCP helps engineers and managers understand the capabilities of high-level synthesis (HLS) tools and assess when to consider these tools for their designs.  HLS tool vendors can use the program to validate and improve the quality of results and productivity provided by their tools.  (HLS tools are also referred to as electronic system level [ESL] synthesis, C synthesis, behavioral synthesis, or algorithmic synthesis tools.) (More)

New ADI Blackfin Integrates Large Executable Flash for Control Applications By BDTI, 1/20/2010 Analog Devices, Inc. (ADI) has announced new members of the Blackfin processor family targeting control-loop applications.  The new BF50x parts sport a much larger “executable” flash in place of the serial flash offered in earlier Blackfin chips, and integrate a 12-bit analog-to-digital converter suitable for control applications. (More)

Jeff Bier’s Impulse Response—Small Processor Companies Have it Tough—But Not Impossible By Jeff Bier, 1/20/2010 It’s a tough world out there for small processor companies. It’s tough to attract new customers, and tough to support the ones you manage to get. A key challenge is the trend towards customers consolidating their purchasing: many system companies prefer to use fewer unique processors in their systems, for both business and technical reasons.  From a business standpoint, using fewer different processors (and thus, using fewer vendors) can help streamline procurement and provide negotiating leverage with suppliers. And from a technical standpoint, using fewer different processors can simplify development and facilitate re-use of software and know-how. (More)

Case Study: Technical Due Diligence By BDTI, 1/20/2010 Although the economy appears to be on the mend, established technology companies and venture capitalists alike remain cautious about their investments.  When considering investments, acquisitions or major product purchase decisions, they are wary of accepting companies’ claims about their technology at face value and often turn to outside experts for technical due diligence evaluations to assess and manage risk. (More)