Clarification on Discontinued Chip
I wish to clarify Actel’s position in
the article “BAE To Revive Production, Sales of Legacy Microchip” [July 23, page 10], in which
it is stated that “Actel discontinued the [original RH1280 FPGA] line in 2006.”
This could lead readers to the mistaken belief that it was Actel’s decision to discontinue the popular RH1280 product line.
The requirement to discontinue
the RH1280 was forced by BAE Systems, who
in 2003
shut down and dismantled
the 0.8um production line that
was used to manufacture the original RH1280. Actel reached an agreement with BAE Systems at that time to
allow
Actel to stock sufficient parts to continue to meet customer demand until 2006.
In 2006
BAE Systems justified the economic cost of starting production of the RH1280B on new production equipment. In 2007
our two companies reached a licensing agreement permitting BAE Systems to begin production of the RH1280B on their own, thus enabling customers to continue to use these successful parts.
And, while Actel is no longer
supplying RH1280 devices directly, we are pleased that through this licensing agreement customers will continue to have access to the line, as we remain committed to our customers’ success in their space designs.
Ken O’Neill
Director, Military & Aerospace Product Marketing, Actel Corp.
Mountain View, Calif
.
