Jan 28, 2003 
The software's new State-Driven Dynamic Configurability (SDDC) capability widens the scope of dynamic reconfigurability to allow both algorithmic updates of circuit parameters and -- in an industry first -- state-driven transformations of the FPAA's functionality.
"State-Driven Dynamic Configurability means the FPAA can be switched dynamically between multiple states, merely by loading a preset configuration file into the device," said Suhel Dhanani, senior product marketing manager at Anadigm. "With this new capability, an FPAA can switch on-the-fly from working as a sensor signal monitoring circuit to a complex control loop -- just to cite one example."
In addition to the device multi-purposing and reduced component count benefits provided by the SDDC capability, using the new feature is surprisingly inexpensive. Only a simple microcontroller is needed to switch between the various configuration files. Users can thus implement the dynamic reconfiguration feature using minimal system resources.
AnadigmDesigner2 is the latest version of an advanced EDA tool that enables the design and implementation of dynamically reconfigurable FPAAs within a matter of minutes. Complex analog circuits developed using AnadigmDesigner2 software are being used in a wide range of industrial, automotive, medical, automatic test equipment, instrumentation, and communication products.
With AnadigmDesigner2, designers construct complex analog circuits for applications such as signal conditioning, closed loop control, and data acquisition using Configurable Analog Modules (CAMs) as building blocks -- dramatically consolidating discrete components and reducing manufacturing costs. With an easy-to-use drag-and-drop interface, the design process can be measured in minutes, allowing complete analog systems to be built rapidly, simulated immediately, and then downloaded to the FPAA chip for testing, validation, and a direct move to manufacturing.
Anadigm's second-generation FPAAs are the first programmable analog devices on the market that can be reconfigured on-the-fly within an embedded system. With the release of AnadigmDesigner2 version 2.2.5, now two forms of dynamic reconfigurability are possible -- algorithmic and state-driven. Both modes allow analog functionality to interact with other parts of the system through software. The benefits to manufacturers include the ability to implement adaptive control loops; dynamically sweep filter frequencies; adapt to sensor degradation, laser aging, or changing customer requirements; as well as increase system functionality.
A trial copy of AnadigmDesigner2 is available for free download at http://www.anadigm.com/Down_05_a.asp.
About Anadigm
Anadigm combines the three most powerful design trends from the digital world (design automation, field programmable ICs, real-time updating) into a platform for analog design, greatly reducing cost of ownership for analog signal conditioning and processing functions across many market segments. Founded in January 2000 as a venture-backed technology spinoff from Motorola, the company maintains U.S. headquarters in Campbell, Calif., and European headquarters in Crewe, U.K. For further information, visit Anadigm on the Web at http://www.anadigm.com.
Anadigm and AnadigmDesigner are registered trademarks of Anadigm, Inc.
Anadigm Contact:
Dakota Lee
dakota.lee@anadigm.com
Press Contact:
Rae Morrow
rae.morrow@wallstcom.com
