SAN JOSE, Calif., Jul 21, 2003 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Xilinx, Inc. (Nasdaq: XLNX), the world's leading programmable logic supplier, today announced that NASA's recently launched Mars Exploration Rover mission utilizes Xilinx(R) FPGAs in critical applications for both the lander and rover vehicles. According to NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, the Spirit Mars Exploration Rover (MER) launched June 10, 2003 and the Opportunity MER launched July 7, 2003 will employ some of the most advanced radiation tolerant Xilinx Virtex(TM) FPGAs once they reach Mars. The Xilinx devices will be used to control the pyrotechnic devices on the lander, and several motor control functions on the rover, including controllers for the wheels, steering, and antenna gimbals.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020822/XLNXLOGO )

Chosen because of their re-programmability and density, the Virtex FPGAs serve as the 'main brain' of the motor control boards. "The MARS 2003 application of our advanced technology demonstrates the growing importance of Xilinx FPGAs to space exploration, " said Howard Bogrow, marketing manager for Aerospace and Defense products at Xilinx. "High performance radiation-tolerant reprogrammable FPGAs are serving more and more critical needs throughout the industry."

Xilinx currently supplies Virtex radiation tolerant products up to one million system gates and total ionizing dose guaranteed to 100 kRads(si). Soon to be announced is a family of Virtex-II(TM) products up to six million system gates and total ionizing dose guaranteed to 200 kRads(si).

About Xilinx Virtex Series FPGAs

The Xilinx Virtex-II Platform FPGA series delivers the highest performance and highest density of any programmable logic solution available today. The innovative Virtex-II IP Immersion architecture enables integration of both hard and soft intellectual property (IP), enhanced system memory, and lightning-fast DSP performance, providing the best platform for advanced digital designs in the industry. With densities ranging from 40,000 to eight million-system gates, Virtex-II(TM) solutions are empowered by advanced design tools that reduce development time through fast design entry, powerful synthesis, smart implementation algorithms, and efficient verification capabilities.

About Xilinx

Xilinx, Inc. is the worldwide leader of programmable logic solutions. Additional information about Xilinx is available at www.xilinx.com.

Hi resolution photos available for download at: http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/mer/gallery/artwork/hires/emerging.jpg

SOURCE Xilinx, Inc.

Tamara Snowden of Xilinx, Inc. Public Relations, +1-408-879-6146, or tamara.snowden@xilinx.com
/Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020822/XLNXLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org
PRN Photo Desk, 1-888-776-6555 or +1-212-782-2840

http://www.xilinx.com