Agilent Technologies' New Attenuation Control Units Aid in WiMAX(tm), WLAN Device Testing

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) today announced new integrated attenuation control units operating in the DC to 6, 18 and 26.5 GHz frequency range. The instruments feature up to 121 dB of attenuation with selectable step values and a programmable attenuation sweep function that enables user-defined sweep time, attenuation values and number of cycles. With this functionality, Agilent's new LXI-compliant instruments are ideal for R&D and manufacturing engineers in wireless communications tasked with designing, validating, and manufacturing WiMAX and WLAN components, as well as for mobile handset base transceiver station (BTS) handover test.

Agilent's J7211A/B/C attenuation control units provide ease-of-use in benchtop applications and greater efficiency and throughput in ATE testing applications. The unique attenuation sweep function allows the user to set the desired start/stop attenuation, step size, dwell time and sweep time of each measurement based on specific application requirements. This capability is especially useful for simulating BTS fading in mobile handset handover test.

The J7211A/B/C attenuation control units feature less than 0.03 dB insertion loss repeatability per section over their entire 5-million life cycle. As a result, users realize a significant reduction in the cost of ownership of the test equipment. The 0.03 dB insertion loss repeatability reduces the source of random errors which, in turn, improves measurement accuracy over the entire operating life of the instrument.

Designed in a half-rack, two-unit high form factor, the Agilent J7211A/B/C attenuation control unit features functionality that is easily accessible via soft keys and a front-panel rotary knob. LXI Class C compliance provides LAN connectivity, making it easy to remotely control and trigger the instruments through a graphical Web interface. The multiple connectivity capability also includes GPIB and USB, so the attenuation control unit can be quickly set up and easily integrated into any benchtop or ATE solution.

U.S. Pricing and Availability

The Agilent J7211A/B/C attenuation control units operating from DC to 6, 18 and 26.5 GHz, respectively, are now available. Pricing is as follows:

• J7211A DC to 6 GHz attenuation control unit - $5,997
• J7211B DC to 18 GHz attenuation control unit - $7,165
• J7211C DC to 26.5 GHz attenuation control unit - $9,177

• More information about the J7211A/B/C attenuation control units is available at http://www.agilent.com/find/J7211. A photo of the new attenuation control units is available at http://www.agilent.com/find/J7211_ACU_images.

  About Agilent Technologies

  Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) is the world's premier measurement company and a technology leader in communications, electronics, life sciences and chemical analysis. The company's 19,000 employees serve customers in more than 110 countries. Agilent had net revenues of $5.4 billion in fiscal 2007. Information about Agilent is available on the Web at http://www.agilent.com.