Agilent Technologies' HDMI 1.3a Compliance Test and Characterization Selected by Silicon Image ATC


SANTA CLARA, Calif., Jan. 24, 2007 -- Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) today announced that Silicon Image Inc., a leader in the secure distribution, presentation and storage of high-definition content, selected Agilent equipment for High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) Compliance Test Specification (CTS) 1.3a source and sink compliance testing and characterization in its HMDI Authorized Test Center. The 1.3a version of the HDMI CTS was released in November 2006.

The system selected is used for manual and automated HDMI physical-layer compliance tests, as well as for margin-test and characterization for R&D and test services. Target customers for Silicon Image and Agilent include consumer-electronics, semiconductor and cable manufacturers.

Key elements of the solution installed at Silicon Image's HDMI Authorized Test Center (ATC) include Infiniium oscilloscopes, a ParBERT-based Transition Minimized Differential Signaling (TMDS) signal generator, the bus test automation software N5990A and HDMI-specific accessories, including the new N1080A series Test Point Access Assembly (TPA) adapters and cable emulators. The integrated system is controlled conveniently via point-and-click operations.

Joseph Lias, vice president for Silicon Image and responsible for the ATCs, explained why the Agilent products were selected: "The Infiniium oscilloscope software [N5399A] provides an industry-first integrated equalizer, as well as jitter-separation capabilities for accurate total-jitter extrapolation. This ensures in-depth characterization of HDMI source devices. The E4887A HDMI TMDS signal generator allows the most complete HDMI receiver characterization with its unique, fully integrated and instant-use jitter-injection capabilities on TMDS clock and data lanes. Its fast calibration time and test throughput increase productivity up to 50 percent.

"Agilent provides crucial accessories such as the new N1080A TPA adapters, which provide the highest bandwidth available on the market," he added. "This allows Silicon Image to measure the true performance of the tested products by overcoming the limitations of existing adapters. The HDMI configuration of the test automation software platform [N5990A] combines the performance of the test hardware with the convenience of PC operation. In addition, the external test controller ensures rapid calibration and measurements, and provides advanced data management."

"Agilent set the de-facto standard for HDMI CTS 1.3a testing," said Siegfried Gross, vice president and general manager of Agilent's Digital Verification Solutions Division. "Users in all sales regions acknowledge and appreciate the integrated, whole solution that delivers the signal quality, performance, ease-of-use and fast test times required by professional users."

The Agilent test solution setup supports the test needs for HDMI, as specified in the HDMI Compliance Test Specification version 1.3a, and is recommended in the CTS 1.3a.

U.S. Pricing and Availability

The Agilent HDMI test solution is available now. Prices start at $165,000, depending on the specific configuration. More information about these solutions can be found at www.agilent.com/find/HDMI.

Product photos are available at www.agilent.com/find/hdmi_images.

About Agilent Technologies

Agilent Technologies (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 revenue of $5.0 billion in fiscal 2006. Information about Agilent is available on the Web at www.agilent.com.

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EDITORIAL CONTACTS:

Janet Smith
Agilent
+1 970 679 5397
janet_smith@agilent.com

Johanna Vallecillo
Weber Shandwick
+1 408 685 0615
jvallecillo@webershandwick.com

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