Search

The article introduces the Electronic System-Level (ESL) Synthesis Extensions (ESE) for SystemC language from Bluespec Inc., manufacturer of ESL synthesis toolset for hardware design. ESE enhances SystemC for hardware architecture and design and aims to enrich design construction higher than the register transfer level. Bluespec raises the description and synthesis of control logic and complex datapaths for designers in systemC language. Its major enhancements relative to concurrency and communications are atomic transactions and interface methods.

The article discusses the development of the Pilot Design Environment by the Synopsis Inc.'s Professional Services organization that simplifies the complexities of the system-on-a-chip design processes. The Pilot environment is a complete RTL-to-GDSII flow with built-in methodologies and utilities to improve designer productivity. The Pilot flow' package utilities address the problem of commonly missing and inaccurate design data. Thus, its structured environment enables data coherency in multisite development situations.

Evaluates the computer input-output device PSAQC60 from Wall Industries Inc. Ability to work in harsh environment; Information that the broad-mounted, dual front end devices accept input voltages from 90 to 264 V ac or 120 to 370 V dc; Cost of the product.

Presents the Telemecanique Advantsys STB modular distributed input/output I/O) system which integrates I/O modules, power distribution and device integration into a single design that reduces engineering, wiring and connectivity costs. Use of one fieldbus node to distribute I/O across an entire machine or process; Power distribution modules of the STB.

Assesses the life expectancy of equipment. Application of plug-in-play phenomenon and trend in the manufacturing/design environment; List of assemblies for static application; Systems used for input/output communications.

Presents information on the designing of digital-signal processing (DSP) hardwares. Approach of the DSP designing; Implication of software validation cost on the programming of field programmable gate arrays; Key techniques of designing DSP in FPGA in the terms of function performance.

Focuses on the use of input devices in computer games. Applicability of alternative input devices; Education of the developers in creating a game.

Reports that the General Council of the Assemblies of God delayed an installation of Oracle Corp.'s enterprise resource planning system after learning the order entry module could not handle a list of functions needed by its catalog sales operation. Other companies whose applications have the similar problems; Comments from Donna Beladi of Standard Register, a firm that prints business forms; Response from Oracle officials.

Explores the integration process involved in hardware and software design activities. Integration of a digital signal processor; Development of project-specific hardware and software applications; Implementation of an integration platform or simulation environment; Adoption of a Web-based tracking system.

Opinion. Speculates on the future of Intelligent Input/Output (I2O). The basic issues surrounding I2O; A specification for the interface between a computer system and an intelligent input/output subsystem; The source of the specification; The value of it; The way the technology will fit into business applications.

Discusses the prospects of the future of hands-free interaction with computers. The rapid progress in some areas of technology; The response of some computers to specific commands; The various command recognition systems; The status of a general dictation system. INSET: Voice recognition models..

Presents various references for input devices. Highlights of the fiber-optic sensing brochure of Dolan-Jenner Industries; Features of the computer interface handbook of MetraByte Corp.; Devices described in the motion control brochure of Spatial Systems Inc.

Reports that Xerox is making its DataGlyphs data encodation technology available to application developers through the SmartPaper Toolkit. Encoding of machine-readable codes that feature slash characters; Conversion of scanned data into computer-processable form.

Applications Now Being Accepted 'Why is there no provision for even basic fractions on some part of the keyboard?' asks Dee Forsysthe of Rockland, Massachusetts. 'Even the wimpiest typewriter keyboard […]