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Modules Extend Longevity and Lower Costs of Automated Test Systems

PALO ALTO, Calif., Aug. 10, 2005 -- Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) today introduced its family of six new microwave synthetic instruments, the highest-performing synthetic instruments available today. Agilent’s new product line supports the U.S. Department of Defence (DoD) NxTest vision of flexible, modular, and morphable instrumentation, and will be LXI (LAN eXtension for Instruments)-compliant.

Synthetic instrumentation is a modular hardware and software test initiative driven by the DoD as part of its NxTest vision. This concept involves linking individual hardware and software test modules together to emulate standard instruments in a new, compact form factor. The result is a morphable, common system architecture that enables the DoD’s prime contractors to design scalable automated test systems (ATSs), giving them the flexibility to insert technology and transform the ATS to accommodate new measurement applications. The reusability of modules in different measurement scenarios reduces the total lifetime costs of the ATS by extending the system’s longevity, and provides obsolescence protection.

The LXI standard defines small, modular instruments using low-cost, open-standard LAN (Ethernet) as the system backbone. LXI was developed to offer the size and integration advantages of modular instruments without the cost and constraints of card-cage architectures. The standard will evolve to take advantage of current and future LAN capabilities that go well beyond legacy test and measurement connectivity capabilities.

“Agilent’s new family of synthetic instruments leverages our proven microwave technology, incorporating the superior measurement capabilities embedded in our industry-leading high-performance instruments,” said Pat Byrne, president of Agilent’s Electronic Products and Solutions Group. “We will continue to support the DoD’s NxTest vision with innovative solutions."

The synthetic instruments announced today will be demonstrated at Booth 1021 at Autotestcon 2005, to be held Sept. 26-29 in Orlando, Fla.

The six new modules, described below, are part of the Agilent Open program, which provides system-ready convenience and flexible connectivity:

- N8201A. This 26.5 GHz performance downconverter provides three IF output frequencies of 7.5, 21.4 and 321.4 MHz to offer three different signal bandwidth capabilities. External mixing can be utilised to downconvert microwave signals up to 110 GHz. This module is leveraged from the industry’s most accurate spectrum analyser, the PSA Series.

- N8221A. This 30 MS/s IF digitiser with a 21.4 MHz IF input provides 80 dB dynamic range, 14 bits of resolution, and 8 MHz modulation bandwidth. This module is also leveraged from the PSA Series.

- N8241A. This arbitrary waveform generator features a 1.25 GS/s sampling rate and 15 bits of resolution simultaneously, and it is based on Agilent’s N6030A. This instrument offers dual-channel, single-ended and differential outputs, with 500 MHz of instantaneous analogue bandwidth per channel.

- N8212A. This 20 GHz performance vector upconverter functions as a microwave source with greater than 2 GHz I/Q modulation bandwidth. It features AM, FM, and pulse modulation (external or internal modulation) and multisource coherent carrier capability. This module is based on the high-performance PSG vector signal generator.

- N8211A. This 20/40 GHz performance analogue upconverter generates a stimulus signal with superior AM, FM and pulse modulation capabilities (external or internal modulation). This module is based on the PSG analogue signal generator’s high output power, low phase noise and excellent level accuracy.

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