EXHIBIT 23.1




              CONSENT OF ERNST AND YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

     We  consent  to  the   incorporation  by  reference  to  our  firm  in  the
Registration  Statement  (Form S-8)  pertaining  to the Actel  Corporation  1986
Incentive Stock Option Plan, the Actel  Corporation 1993 Directors' Stock Option
Plan, the Actel  Corporation  1995 Employee and  Consultant  Stock Plan, and the
Actel  Corporation  2003 Director Stock Option Plan and to the  incorporation by
reference  therein of our report  dated  January 22,  2003,  with respect to the
consolidated financial statements of Actel Corporation incorporated by reference
in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended  December 31, 2002,  and the
related  financial  statement   schedules  included  therein,   filed  with  the
Securities and Exchange Commission.


                                       /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
San Jose, California
January 21, 2004