
EXHIBIT 23.1

               CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (Form
S-8)pertaining  to  the  GateField  Corporation  1993  Stock  Option  Plan,  the
GateField Corporation 1996 Stock Option Plan, and the GateField Corporation 1999
Stock Option Plan, of our report dated  January 21, 2000,  except for the second
paragraph  of Note 15, as to which the date is March 31,  2000,  with respect to
the the consolidated  financial statements of Actel Corporation  incorporated by
reference in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended  December 31, 1999
and the related financial  statement  schedule included therein,  filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.



                                                          /s/  ERNST & YOUNG LLP

San Jose, California
January 26, 2001
