Handheld Cable Tester handles 10 Gbps Ethernet networks.

Press Release Summary:



Able to perform automated point-to-point tests on Cat 3 to Cat 6 cable/fiber, WireScope Pro has expandable architecture that can be upgraded to test up to Cat 6a/7. Cable and fiber tester features Alien Crosstalk measurement capability and runs measurements in 5 min. Operated via touch-screen interface on color LCD, product utilizes Fiber SmartProbes that eliminate need to swap fibers for bidirectional testing and calibration. Measurement frequency range is 1 GHz.



Original Press Release:



Agilent News (BICSI): WireScope Pro Offers Fastest Handheld Cable and Fiber Testing for 10 Gbit/s Ethernet Networks



ORLANDO, Fla., BICSI, Booth 615, Jan. 23, 2006 - Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) today introduced a handheld cable and fiber tester that offers the fastest cable certification for Cat 3 to Cat 6a/7. Agilent WireScope Pro delivers superior near- and far-end crosstalk measurement performance and is the first to provide Alien Crosstalk (AXT) measurements, indispensable for testing LAN cabling's suitability for running 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GE).

Ethernet is spreading across enterprise, data center and service provider network infrastructures from 10 Mbit/s to 10 Gbit/s. The release of the Augmented Category 6 (Cat 6a) Ethernet cabling standard poses new challenges to everyone testing suitability for 10GE, due to narrower margins in bandwidth, length budgets, crosstalk and AXT susceptibility. LAN cabling installers, cable makers and network integrators are held responsible for the quality of their links.

An expandable platform, the WireScope Pro is available at Cat 3 to Cat 6 test capability and can be upgraded to Cat 6a/7 capability at a later stage, making it a safe investment.

WireScope Pro is optimized for testing efficiency, increasing cabling and network installers' productivity. Industry-leading measurement speed boosts the test throughput by a factor of three, compared with previous models. Simple, automated point-to-point tests keep user interactions at a minimum to help prevent operator failures and unnecessary repetitions. New Fiber SmartProbes cut test times of optical links by eliminating the need to swap fibers for bidirectional testing and calibration. Furthermore, Agilent's newly developed AXT test solution, based on WireScope Pro, provides superior AXT measurement performance by employing a new, extremely fast and cost-efficient methodology, based on real-life crosstalk stimulation. Today's network analyzer-based, one-hour measurements now run in five minutes.

WireScope Pro exceeds TIA (Telecommunications Industry Association) Level IV accuracy specifications, with compliance independently certified by ETL SEMKO (formerly Edison Testing Laboratory). With its 1 GHz of measurement frequency range, the WireScope Pro covers today's fastest Ethernet standards and is ready for next-generation cables.

"Driven by the deployment of triple-play services, Gigabit and 10 Gigabit Ethernet are spreading across enterprise and service providers' network infrastructure," said Werner Berkel, vice president and general manager of Agilent's Photonic Measurement Division. "The Agilent WireScope Pro tests Cat 3 to 6a/7 cable and optical fiber efficiently and completely. From triple play to pure play, no handheld tester certifies Ethernet cables faster or more completely."

Benefits of the WireScope Pro include:

o The industry's fastest, most widely automated LAN cabling and fiber certification, according to TIA and ISO standards (8 seconds being sufficient to qualify a Cat 6 cable).

o Innovative, cost-efficient Alien Crosstalk measurement technique, which leaves no uncertainty as to an Ethernet cable's compliance to 10 Gbit/s requirements.

o Highly efficient dual-ended testing from a new DualRemote Pro unit, which operates fully unattended.

o The elimination of fiber swapping, with new multimode and single-mode Fiber SmartProbes for dual-wavelength, truly bidirectional measurements.

o Ethernet cabling certification to TIA Categories 3 to 6, Augmented Category 6 and 7, and ISO Classes C through F.

o Category 6 and 7 Channel and Permanent Link certification.

o Truly field-portable size (9.1" x 5" x 3.4"), with up to eight hours battery life, full-screen color LCD and intuitive touch-screen user interface.

o ScopeData Pro software for professional graphical test reports.

U.S. Pricing and Availability

The Agilent N2640A WireScope Pro handheld cable and fiber tester is available in April 2006 at a list price of $7,700.

Further information is available at www.wirescope.com. Product photos are available at www.agilent.com/find/photo_wspro.

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 21,000 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.

Agilent Technologies, Test and Measurement Organization, 5301 Stevens Creek Blvd., MS 54LAK, Santa Clara, CA 95052.

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

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

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