|
Building-Block Modules Lower Costs and Extend Longevity of
Automated Test Systems
PALO ALTO, CA, May 22, 2006
Agilent Technologies (NYSE: A) announced today that its six microwave synthetic
instruments are the first Class A LXI (LAN eXtension for Instruments) products
to achieve certification from the LXI Consortium. These devices, which are the
highest-performing synthetic instruments available today, support the U.S.
Department of Defense (DoD) NxTest vision of flexible, modular, and compact
instrumentation.
"Our newly certified modules demonstrate Agilent's commitment to the future of
test as represented by both NxTest and LXI," said Pat Byrne, president of
Agilent's Electronic Measurements Group. "They also highlight our ability to
leverage proven microwave technologies into innovative solutions that serve the
needs of the DoD, its prime contractors, and other customers who can benefit
from the flexibility of modular instrumentation."
The synthetic instrument concept involves the linking of individual hardware and
software modules to emulate standard test instruments in a compact form factor.
The result is a common system architecture that enables the DoD's prime
contractors to design scalable, morphable automated test systems (ATSs) that can
accommodate new measurement applications and future technology updates. The
capability to reuse or replace functional modules to suit present and future
measurement scenarios will reduce the total lifetime cost of an ATS by extending
system longevity and providing obsolescence protection.
The LXI standard includes a variety of form factors—including small, modular
instruments—that use low-cost, open-standard LAN (Ethernet) as the system
backbone. A goal of the standard is to offer the size and integration advantages
of modular instruments without the cost and constraints of card-cage-based
architectures. The standard will evolve to take advantage of future LAN
capabilities that go beyond legacy test and measurement connectivity
capabilities.
The six modules are also part of Agilent Open, which provides system-ready
convenience and flexible connectivity:
-
N8201A: This 26.5-GHz
downconverter provides IF output frequencies of 7.5, 21.4, and 321.4 MHz,
enabling three different signal-bandwidth capabilities. External mixing can
be used to downconvert microwave signals as high as 110 GHz.
-
N8211A: This 20/40-GHz
analog upconverter generates a stimulus signal with superior AM, FM, and
pulse-modulation capabilities (external or internal modulation). It also
provides high output power, low phase noise, and excellent level accuracy.
-
N8212A: This 20-GHz 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.
-
N8221A: This 30-MS/s IF
digitizer with a 21.4-MHz IF input provides 80-dB dynamic range, 14-b
resolution, and 8-MHz modulation bandwidth.
-
N8241A: This arbitrary
waveform generator (AWG) features simultaneous 1.25-GS/s sampling and 15-b
resolution. It offers dual-channel, single-ended, and differential outputs
with 500 MHz of instantaneous analog bandwidth per channel.
-
N8242A: This AWG features
a choice of either 1.25 GS/s or 625 MS/s with 10-b resolution. It offers
dual-channel, single-ended, and differential outputs with 500 MHz or 250 MHz
of instantaneous analog bandwidth per channel.
Further Information
Detailed product information is available at www.agilent.com/find/synthetic.
U.S. Pricing and Availability
Available now, the modules are priced from $8,500 to $100,000, depending on
selected options.
About LXI and the LXI Consortium
LXI is the next-generation, LAN-based modular architecture standard for
automated test systems managed by the LXI Consortium, a not-for-profit
corporation comprised of leading test and measurement companies. The group's
goals are to develop, support, and promote the LXI standard. LXI's compact,
flexible package, high-speed I/O, and prolific use of LAN meet the needs of
aerospace/defense engineers developing radar, electronic warfare, satellite, and
military communications systems and address a range of industrial and commercial
applications.
Additional information about LXI-compliant products as well as licensing,
specifications, and consortium membership is available at
www.lxistandard.org
About Agilent Open
Agilent Open is a versatile combination of test-system hardware, I/O, and
software tools. It accelerates the creation of streamlined test systems that are
easy to enhance and maintain by providing greater choice in measurements,
connectivity, and programming.
About Agilent Technologies
Agilent Technologies is a premier measurement company and a technology
leader in communications, electronics, life sciences, and chemical analysis. The
company's 20,000 employees serve customers in more than 110 countries. Agilent
had net revenue of $5.1 billion in fiscal 2005. Information about Agilent is
available on the Web at
www.agilent.com
|