Agilent Technologies and Sequans Collaborate to Get WiMAX Test Systems to Market


SANTA CLARA, Calif., and PARIS, May 24, 2007 - Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) and Sequans Communications today announced a collaboration to support the rollout of Mobile WiMAX®-compliant equipment in two ways. They will work on pre-validating the Agilent Protocol Conformance Test (PCT) system, and on the speed-optimization of RF power-calibration and production-test systems for both fixed and mobile WiMAX modules.

Sequans is a leading supplier of chipsets for the IEEE 802.16e-2005 standard, on which WiMAX Forum's mobile profiles are based, as well as for the fixed WiMAX IEEE 802.16-2004 standard. The Agilent PCT system, which is based on Agilent's E6651A WiMAX test set, is undergoing pre-validation testing at a WiMAX Forum-authorized testing laboratory using mobile terminals that use Sequans' Mobile WiMAX chips.

"Sequans' cooperation has allowed us to make great progress with the pre-validation of our PCT," said Niels Fach©, vice president and general manager of Agilent's Mobile Broadband Division. "Sequans is a very experienced WiMAX chipmaker, and this is evident in our efficient collaboration."

Sequans' chips for WiMAX mobile stations (SQN1110 and SQN1130) feature the industry's highest throughput and lowest power consumption. Sequans' newest chip, the SQN1130 Wave 2-ready MIMO chip for WiMAX mobile stations, delivers more than 30 Mbps throughput while drawing less than 280 mW of power.

"Agilent's industry-leading expertise in manufacturing and conformance solutions will benefit our customers greatly in testing and verifying designs," said Bernard Aboussouan, vice president of marketing at Sequans.

Agilent has also added support for Sequans' chipsets to its MXZ-1000 WiMAX test system. The system incorporates Agilent's high-speed MXA Signal Analyzer and MXG Signal Generator, coupled with test automation software and device interfaces, to optimize the speed of WiMAX subscriber station tests in production. With Agilent's support of Sequans chipsets, modules based on Sequans' ICs can be calibrated and tested with the greatest speed and efficiency.

"We are working closely with chipset leaders in the WiMAX ecosystem, such as Sequans, to ensure that the MXZ-1000 test system supports the most robust set of chipset APIs for our customers," said Daniel Mak, general manager for the wireless business at Agilent. "The MXZ-1000 continues to be the best-in-class turnkey solution for high-volume production test of Fixed and Mobile WiMAX modules."

For more information about the Agilent E6651A mobile WiMAX test set and MXZ-1000, see www.agilent.com/find/wimax.

Agilent in WiMAX Forum

A principal member of the WiMAX Forum (wimaxforum.org), Agilent is an active participant in the development of WiMAX Radio Conformance Test (RCT) documents and procedures. Agilent was the first to provide standard-compliant 802.16 physical layer (PHY) design and test tools for fixed and mobile WiMAX applications including WiBro, allowing users to efficiently simulate, troubleshoot and verify designs.

Agilent has extended its expertise into manufacturing to help customers get designs to market faster and more efficiently, and will continue to provide comprehensive test tools as the lifecycle progresses into installation and maintenance.

Information about Agilent's WiMAX test solutions is available at www.agilent.com/find/wimax.

About Sequans Communications

SEQUANS Communications is a leading supplier of WiMAX silicon and software based on 802.16 d/e standards. Offering base station and subscriber station system-on-chips for both fixed and mobile WiMAX (802.16-2004 and 802.16e-2005), Sequans offers equipment manufacturers an all-in-one solution with full MAC and PHY functionality, enabling them to build the complete range of WiMAX network components: high-end and pico base stations, outdoor and indoor subscriber terminals, home gateways, and all types of mobile devices. Sequans, along with its RF partners, provide the most complete WiMAX solution available to system manufacturers today. Please visit www.sequans.com.

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 .

Further technology, corporate citizenship and executive news is available on the Agilent news site at www.agilent.com/go/news.

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