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Turnkey system for chip design
latest issue of SOLIDS
Comtec range of digitizers
Comtec introduces range of digitizing tablets Comtec Data Systems Ltd has introduced a range of high resolution digitizing tablets into the UK. The tablets are manufactured by the Numonics Corporation in the USA. The Numonics 2200 series of digitizers vary in working area from the smallest at 6 in x 6 in to the largest at 36 in x 48 in. All the tablets use similar control electronics and the same operating system. The resolution defaults to 0.001 in but can be changed by the user to a larger value. The 2200 series operates in six programmable modes and all members interface with RS232C, IEEE or HP1 B. They all have as standard, selfdiagnostics which test the operation of the tablet grid and interface and the control electronics. (Comtec Data Systems Ltd, Weston House, Cranford Lane, Harlington, Middx UB3 SHD, UK. Tel: 07-897 3225. TX: 8814132)
CalComp Ltd has announced the latest release, (5.1), of its 3D solids modelling package, SOLIDS for the 32-bit System 25 CAD system. The enhancements to this version of SOLIDS include the ability to provide linked views of a model. For example a model can be set out in plan and elevation while generating an isometric check view on screen. The focal point, station point and cone of vision can then be entered by the user and the system will draw perspective views with the hidden lines removed. Colour shading can also be applied to give more realistic images. The main areas of application for this package lie in massing studies for the architectural and constructional fields. An architect could use this package to assess interior and exterior visualizations of buildings. (Calcomp L td, Cory House, The Ring, Bracknell, Berks, UK. Tel: (9344) 50211)
MHS develop gate array libraries for Daisy workstations Matra-Harris Semiconductors (MHS) has announced an agreement with Daisy Systems Corporation to develop libraries for the MA family of CMOS gate arrays on Daisy CAE workstations. Under this agreement, MHS will develop and maintain these libraries and will support customers who are designing MHS’s gate arrays on Daisy equipment. Francois Pithon, semicustom pro-
duct marketing manager at MHS commented that ‘The trend in the semicustom market is to integrate a complete system on either a gate array or a standard cell chip’ and added that he thought that with the combination of MHS gate array products plus the hierarchical design capabilities of the Daisy GateMaster, users would have the tools needed for system integration. The aim of this approach according to MHS is to put the design cycle into the control of the designer, who will be able to perform schematic entry, logic simulation and timing verification. The complete libraries will be available in the second quarter of 1985. (MHS, Estdale Road, Winnersh Triangle, Winnersh, Wokingham, Berks, UK. Tel: (0734) 698 78 7. Daisy Systems Corporation, Berk House, Basing View, Basingstoke, Hants RGl2HQ, UK. Tel: (0256) 464061)
CDCT 6000 displays available in UK The Barco CDCT 6000 range of graphics displays has been launched in the UK by Cameron Communications. This range of devices offers a flexible horizontal scanning system with scanning frequencies between 45 KHz and 75 KHz. There are diagnostic faultfinders and an array of LED indicators show the status of the modular circuit boards. Composite, vertical and horizontal syncs are available to control picture quality. The CDCT 6000 range is designed for use with 64 KHz based CADCAM systems. (Cameron Communications, Burn field Road, Glasgow, UK. Tel: (041) 633 0077)
Turnkey system for chip design SDA Systems has announced ChipEdge which is a 32-bit UNIX based turnkey workstation for electronic design of integrated circuits and systems and full custom design of integrated circuits. It aims to capture the entire design cycle on a single workstation. The package includes a hierarchical database (which iscommon to all SDA products), a netlist proces-
volume
17 number 4 may 1985
sor and a unified schematics and layout editor. Also included are circuit and logic or fault simulators, a design rule checker and an array compiler. Some features of the system are popup menus, multi-window capability, mouse operation and keyboard macros. (SDA Systems, 2461 Mission College Boulevard, Santa Clara, CA 95054, USA. Tel: 408/727-7811)
The CDCT 6000 graphics display
203
Comtec range of digitizers
Comtec introduces range of digitizing tablets Comtec Data Systems Ltd has introduced a range of high resolution digitizing tablets into the UK. The tablets are manufactured by the Numonics Corporation in the USA. The Numonics 2200 series of digitizers vary in working area from the smallest at 6 in x 6 in to the largest at 36 in x 48 in. All the tablets use similar control electronics and the same operating system. The resolution defaults to 0.001 in but can be changed by the user to a larger value. The 2200 series operates in six programmable modes and all members interface with RS232C, IEEE or HP1 B. They all have as standard, selfdiagnostics which test the operation of the tablet grid and interface and the control electronics. (Comtec Data Systems Ltd, Weston House, Cranford Lane, Harlington, Middx UB3 SHD, UK. Tel: 07-897 3225. TX: 8814132)
CalComp Ltd has announced the latest release, (5.1), of its 3D solids modelling package, SOLIDS for the 32-bit System 25 CAD system. The enhancements to this version of SOLIDS include the ability to provide linked views of a model. For example a model can be set out in plan and elevation while generating an isometric check view on screen. The focal point, station point and cone of vision can then be entered by the user and the system will draw perspective views with the hidden lines removed. Colour shading can also be applied to give more realistic images. The main areas of application for this package lie in massing studies for the architectural and constructional fields. An architect could use this package to assess interior and exterior visualizations of buildings. (Calcomp L td, Cory House, The Ring, Bracknell, Berks, UK. Tel: (9344) 50211)
MHS develop gate array libraries for Daisy workstations Matra-Harris Semiconductors (MHS) has announced an agreement with Daisy Systems Corporation to develop libraries for the MA family of CMOS gate arrays on Daisy CAE workstations. Under this agreement, MHS will develop and maintain these libraries and will support customers who are designing MHS’s gate arrays on Daisy equipment. Francois Pithon, semicustom pro-
duct marketing manager at MHS commented that ‘The trend in the semicustom market is to integrate a complete system on either a gate array or a standard cell chip’ and added that he thought that with the combination of MHS gate array products plus the hierarchical design capabilities of the Daisy GateMaster, users would have the tools needed for system integration. The aim of this approach according to MHS is to put the design cycle into the control of the designer, who will be able to perform schematic entry, logic simulation and timing verification. The complete libraries will be available in the second quarter of 1985. (MHS, Estdale Road, Winnersh Triangle, Winnersh, Wokingham, Berks, UK. Tel: (0734) 698 78 7. Daisy Systems Corporation, Berk House, Basing View, Basingstoke, Hants RGl2HQ, UK. Tel: (0256) 464061)
CDCT 6000 displays available in UK The Barco CDCT 6000 range of graphics displays has been launched in the UK by Cameron Communications. This range of devices offers a flexible horizontal scanning system with scanning frequencies between 45 KHz and 75 KHz. There are diagnostic faultfinders and an array of LED indicators show the status of the modular circuit boards. Composite, vertical and horizontal syncs are available to control picture quality. The CDCT 6000 range is designed for use with 64 KHz based CADCAM systems. (Cameron Communications, Burn field Road, Glasgow, UK. Tel: (041) 633 0077)
Turnkey system for chip design SDA Systems has announced ChipEdge which is a 32-bit UNIX based turnkey workstation for electronic design of integrated circuits and systems and full custom design of integrated circuits. It aims to capture the entire design cycle on a single workstation. The package includes a hierarchical database (which iscommon to all SDA products), a netlist proces-
volume
17 number 4 may 1985
sor and a unified schematics and layout editor. Also included are circuit and logic or fault simulators, a design rule checker and an array compiler. Some features of the system are popup menus, multi-window capability, mouse operation and keyboard macros. (SDA Systems, 2461 Mission College Boulevard, Santa Clara, CA 95054, USA. Tel: 408/727-7811)
The CDCT 6000 graphics display
203