BusinessWire
October 19, 2005 05:00 AM US Pacific Timezone

Nu Horizons Electronics Corp. Announces Second Generation Virtual Design Lab Targeting Digital Signal Processing

MELVILLE, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 19, 2005--

Nu Horizons Electronics Corp. (NASDAQ:NUHC), a leading distributor of advanced technology active components and system solutions, today announced their new second generation virtual digital signal processing (DSP) design lab which builds upon the Spartan-3(TM) two million-gate XC3S2000 FPGA from Xilinx. This design lab is a collaborative effort of Nu Horizons with a number of industry leaders including: Xilinx, Inc., Linear Technology Corporation, Intersil Corporation and the Mathworks. Nu Horizons' signal processing virtual lab is the first of its kind to incorporate the Mathworks Simulink(R) simulation and model-based design with both analog-to-digital (A/D) converter interfaces and digital-to-analog (D/A) converter modules. In addition, the lab offers test equipment to provide signal insertion and measure output waveforms.

The signal processing virtual lab is configured to allow users to create and download high performance DSP applications. Advanced algorithms can be developed and complex measurements performed via a full complement of test equipment connected to the virtual lab environment. Both a Signal/Pattern Generator and High Speed Oscilloscope connect to A/D and D/A modules and each piece of test equipment is placed in the Host Mode in order to remotely manage the equipment's front panel controls. Settings and scripts are also easily saved for re-use on future sessions, while the signal insertion output measurement capability within the lab enables designers to validate their algorithms.

"Nu Horizons is committed to offering quick and easy access to new technologies," explains Athar Zafar, vice president of global engineering for Nu Horizons. "This lab enables customers to evaluate Xilinx FPGAs for Signal Processing applications in an online environment, providing users with accurate measurements, authentic results and greater confidence in their findings."

Reference DSP designs are provided in the virtual lab environment, allowing the design engineer to evaluate the Spartan-3 2000 FPGA in a pre-verified environment with ease. The Nu Horizons Signal Processing Virtual Lab consists of three reference labs:

-- Lab 1 - SysGen Tutorial - a lab introducing customers to other important design features including: ChipScope, HDL Cosim, Hardware Cosim and PicoBlaze.

-- Lab 2 - FFT with 256 Tap FIR filter and interpolation by 3 - a lab offering ease of use and reasonably high performance allowing design engineers to evaluate tool interfaces as well as hardware. The filter design is provided to the design engineer using the FDA Tool to generate coefficients, offering the designer the ability to modify coefficients and view results. Simulation can be run in Sysgen, as well as run live in hardware.

-- Lab 3 - Equalized 16-QAM Demodulator including the Adaptive Filter - The receiver architecture provides subsystems demonstrating adaptive channel equalization and carrier tracking on a random QAM data source.

Additional Virtual Design Lab features include:

-- Nu Horizons: Spartan-3 2000 Development Kit

-- Linear Technology: LTC 2249 14-bit 80Msps Analog-to-Digital Converter Evaluation Card

-- Intersil: High Speed DACs ISL5x29EVAL1 Evaluation Card

-- Agilent: 54830B Infinium Oscilloscope

-- Agilent: E4430B ESG-D Digital RF Signal Generator

-- Xilinx: ISE Foundation Development Environment

-- Xilinx: System Generator for DSP

-- Mathworks: Simulink Platform

VirtuaLab is a trademark of TechOnLine. TechOnLine allows designers to evaluate hardware and software tools via a Web browser by providing information, training and resources to help make knowledge design and purchasing decisions.

For additional information on lab specifics, please visit Nu Horizons online at http://www.techonline.com/community/38647.

About Nu Horizons Electronics Corp.

Nu Horizons is a leading global distributor of advanced technology active components and system solutions, including analog, clock and timing devices, communications, computer products, discretes, flat panel display solutions, interface, logic, memory, microcontrollers and microprocessors, opto electronics and power, to a wide variety of commercial original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). With sales facilities in forty-three locations across North America and Asia, and logistics centers in centralized locations throughout the globe, Nu Horizons partners with a limited number of best-in-class suppliers to provide in-depth product and solutions expertise to its customers. Information on Nu Horizons and its services is available at http://www.nuhorizons.com.

Except for historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this news release are forward looking statements that involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those in the forward-looking statements. Potential risks and uncertainties include such factors as the level of business and consumer spending for electronic products, the amount of sales of the Company's products, the competitive environment within the electronic component industry, the ability of the Company to continue to expand its operations, the level of costs incurred in connection with the Company's expansion efforts and the financial strength of the Company's customers and suppliers. Investors are also directed to consider other risks and uncertainties discussed in documents filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission.