Source: SynaptiCAD
October 17, 2007

SynaptiCAD Acquires Bi-Directional Verilog to VHDL Translation Software; Offers HDL Translation Service

Blacksburg, Virginia, October 17, 2007, SynaptiCAD has recently acquired exclusive development and distribution rights to V2V, Hardware Description Language (HDL) translation software from Alternative System Concept (ASC) for HDL translation for an undisclosed amount. V2V is a set of command line tools that perform automatic translations of source code from VHDL to Verilog and vice versa.

Dan Notestein, president of SynaptiCAD, explains the reason for the technology transfer: "A lot of our customers have expressed interest in translating IP and legacy models so that they can debug in a single-language environment. After investigating the available options, we determined that ASC had the best technology for doing these conversions."

"The translators fit well into our current HDL product portfolio of test bench generators, debuggers, and simulators and we can achieve better synergy in the future by directly integrating the translators into our debugging graphical interface," added Notestein.

"ASC is focused on promoting our Electronic System Level low power tools and other innovative products stemming from our Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program work, and we are pleased to have our popular Hardware Description Language translators, which have been proven in hundreds of design applications for more than a decade find a good fit with SynaptiCAD's customer needs," commented, Jake Karrfalt, CEO of Alternative System Concepts.

About V2V
The V2V command line tools (with optional GUI) automatically translate source code from VHDL to Verilog and vice versa. The V2V family includes verilog2vhdl™ and VHDL2verilog™ translation software. The translator's superior performance can be credited to the ASC internal database used to accurately map hierarchical Verilog to equivalent VHDL, and visa versa. Synthesizable RTL, structural, and a large subset of behavioral constructs are rapidly translated, while preserving correct comment placement. With the V2V translator, designs can be integrated in synthesis-verification-test flows.

The translators are a good addition to the SynaptiCAD HDL product portfolio of test bench generators, debuggers, and simulators. SynaptiCAD expects to deliver improved productivity by directly integrating the V2V translators with their BugHunter Pro, debugging graphical interface. The V2V tools can also used for library translation and automated model generation.

About V2V's Test Bench Knowledge
The tools support different IEEE standard releases and tool-specific VHDL packages. Since part of validation is to ensure that the VHDL translation is functionally equivalent to the original Verilog, the same testbench can be used to provide the stimulus for both Verilog and VHDL designs, with the output listings compared for equivalence. If a Verilog testbench already exists, a corresponding VHDL testbench can be created with the aid of verilog2vhdl. Alternatively, if a Verilog-VHDL co-simulator is available, the existing Verilog testbench and the new VHDL design can be co-simulated.

Translation Services
Existing HDL translation tools all require some manual intervention by the user, so SynaptiCAD is offering a HDL translation service. SynaptiCAD translates models for its customer and delivers the translated code along with test benches that can be used to demonstrate the equivalence of the original models and the translated models. According to Notestein, "This is a great option when the engineers are not familiar with the code that needs to be translated or if they are not conversant in both languages. In these cases, it's about the cheapest, fastest way to get the models in the form they need."

Pricing and Availability
The V2V translator software is now available for Windows, Linux and Solaris. The software can be licensed on either a permanent or leased basis, and both floating and node-locked versions are available. For more details on pricing options for the translators and the translation services, visit the SynaptiCAD's web site at http://www.syncad.com, or contact SynatiCAD at sales@syncad.com.