SAN JOSE, Calif., September 3, 2002, Xilinx Inc. (NASDAQ:XLNX) and Ignis Optics announced today full hardware interoperability of a 2.5 Gbps serial optical interface between the Ignis IGP-2000 Series fiber optic transceivers and the Xilinx® Virtex-II Pro™ FPGA with Rocket I/O™ multi-gigabit transceivers. The proven interoperability will be demonstrated at the National Fiber Optic Engineers Conference (NFOEC) on September 15 –19, 2002 in Dallas, Texas. 

The new solution helps system engineers to use programmable systems for lowering total system cost, development time and complexity of PC board designs for applications such as SONET OC-48, Gigabit Ethernet, and Fibre Channel, and 2X Fibre Chanel through board level component integration and reduced PC board area. The companies also announced that Ignis has joined the Xilinx Reference Design Alliance Program. 

“We continue to show the flexibility of our IO-PKG™ optical technology by demonstrating module interoperability with industry leaders like Xilinx,” said Michael Lebby, Ignis’ CEO. “Compatibility of our product with different reference boards reduces time and cost by allowing our customers to model system design and functional testing prior to expensive board builds.” 

“Xilinx interoperability with Ignis demonstrates the expanding capabilities and flexibility of our FPGA solutions in optical communications,” said Robert Bielby, senior director of Strategic Solutions at Xilinx. “The collaboration enables our mutual customers to gain significant time-to-market advantages by using an already streamlined FPGA process.”

About IO-PKG™ transceiver
Ignis Optics introduced its innovative new IO-PKG™ transceiver package in March 2002. By leveraging manufacturing techniques traditionally used for multi-mode products, Ignis Optics has created a single-mode transceiver that offers exceptional performance at very attractive pricing. 
Ignis’ SFP (Small Form-Factor Pluggable) transceivers also offer enhanced digital diagnostics capability. The diagnostics enable end users to remotely monitor key module parameters to ensure system stability and operation within required operating ranges. Ignis Optics SFP transceivers comply with ITU-G.957 and Telcordia GR-253-CORE requirements.

About Virtex-II Pro FPGAs
The Xilinx Virtex-II Platform FPGA family delivers the highest performance and highest density of any programmable logic solution available.  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 solutions are empowered by advanced design tools that reduce development time through fast design, powerful synthesis, smart implementation algorithms, and efficient verification capabilities. 

Xilinx Reference Design Alliance Program 
The Xilinx Reference Design Alliance Program builds partnerships with industry leading semiconductor and design companies to develop reference designs for accelerating product development and improving time-to-market. The reference design boards are ideal for a wide variety of electronic systems, including networking, communications, video imaging, DSP, and emerging market applications. For complete program information, visit: www.xilinx.com/reference_design. 

Xilinx Online Resource for Metro Area Network Design 
Xilinx eSP (www.xilinx.com/esp) is a proven online resource for engineers, with four million visits since its introduction early last year. The latest segment is dedicated to accelerating the development of metro area and edge access networking products. The site is a comprehensive resource, delivering a powerful array of solutions and information in a single location. 

About Ignis Optics
Ignis Optics was founded in 2001 by a team of experienced optical component developers. The San Jose-based firm designs innovative new packaging for fiber-optic transceivers that enables them to offer superior single-mode performance while enabling significantly lower system costs. Ignis Optics investors include CenterPoint Ventures, InterWest Partners, Morgenthaler, and Storm Ventures. You can learn more about Ignis Optics and its products at www.ignisoptics.com.
Ignis Optics and IO-PKG are trademarks of Ignis Optics, Inc.

About Xilinx
Xilinx is the worldwide leader of programmable logic solutions. Additional information about Xilinx can be found at http://www.xilinx.com.