Date: 03/02/2009

Altera released Quartus II software version 9.0 for FPGA and other prog logic ICs

Altera released Quartus II software version 9.0. The 9.0 version includes support for Altera's entire portfolio of CPLDs, transceiver FPGAs and HardCopy ASICs. It also includes support for Altera's newly announced Stratix IV GT and Arria II GX FPGAs.

Along with the Quartus II software version 9.0, Altera also released the ModelSim Altera Starter Edition. Replacing the ModelSim Altera Web Edition, this enhanced functional simulator delivers 50 % faster simulation speeds, support for all Altera devices and operating system support for Linux and Windows Vista platforms.

New features within Quartus II software version 9.0 are:

1. New SSN Analyzer Tool-Provides designer feedback on potential simultaneous switching noise (SSN) violations during pin assignments, enabling faster board design and improving signal integrity.
2. Enhanced SOPC Builder-Quartus II software further extends productivity advantages with SOPC Builder's Data Sheet Generator for easier hand-off between hardware and software engineers.
3. SOPC Builder's enhanced GUI now offers easier visualization of large systems.
4. Metastability Analysis-Provides tools to auto-recognize potential metastability circuit issues, and to automate reporting of mean-time-between-failure (MTBF) values as an integrated part of the TimeQuest static timing analysis tool.
5. Pin Planner Enhancements-A new Clock Network View now available within the pin planner allows designers to better manage clock resources, improving productivity and maximizing performance.
6. Improved Functional Simulation Support with ModelSim Altera Edition

Availability:
A beta version of the Quartus II software version 9.0 is currently available for download. On March 9, 2009, Altera will release the 9.0 production version of Quartus II software, the ModelSim Altera Edition and the ModelSim Altera Starter Edition.

Price: ModelSim Altera Edition will be available for a price of $945 per seat.
Quartus II software subscribers receive the ModelSim Altera Starter Edition and a full license to the IP Base Suite, which includes 11 of Altera's IP (DSP and memory) cores.
The annual software subscription is $2,495 for a node-locked PC license and is available for purchase at Altera's eStore or from authorized distributors.

Find out more about Altera at www.altera.com