March 27, 2012 -- Xilinx, Inc. has announced availability of the Virtex-6Q FPGA family, a high-performance defense-grade, programmable solution for major defense applications. NSA has reviewed the Xilinx SECMON) IP core and found that it provides a level of anti-tamper (AT) protection, which will further strengthen the secure capabilities of the Virtex-6Q family of FPGAs.

The review and evaluation for the SECMON Anti-Tamper IP core encompassed a rigorous and thorough examination of: requirements and architecture, source design code and test plans/procedures.

The programmable anti-tamper (AT) solution for Xilinx's Virtex-6Q FPGAs complements AT system applications overall, thus ensuring protection of system's critical technology as instructed by DoD 5200.39. A variety of support is available from Xilinx for AT implementation including software, IP, documentation, methodologies, working groups and expertise. The Xilinx secure solution yields higher levels of integration and reliability that benefit other applications such as commercial avionics systems.

In addition, the Virtex-6Q FPGA is the first product from Xilinx to feature easy-to-verify anti-counterfeiting features to combat the rising threat of fraudulent devices being introduced into defense systems worldwide. Features include a simple visual identification and confirmation of the products' authenticity based on the external Virtex-6Q FPGA package marking, as well as other built-in, multi-level Xilinx proprietary features assuring product verification.

In addition to its secure capabilities, defense-grade Virtex-6Q devices offer mask set control, ruggedized packaging, high-temperature environmental operation and longer product life when compared to pin-compatible commercial equivalents.

About the Virtex-6Q FPGA family

Virtex-6Q FPGAs are secure high-performance, defense-grade devices that are fabricated on a proven, low-power 40-nm, dual-oxide process technology with full support in the Xilinx ISE Design Suite, for seamless migration between prototyping and production.