Probe enables single-ended or differential measurements.

Agilent Technologies, Inc. Jan 14, 2004

Press Release Summary:

When InfiniiMax 1130A 1.5 GHz differential probe is paired with Infiniium mixed signal and digital signal oscilloscopes, system validates and verifies performance of high-speed digital product designs. Controlled transmission-line probe heads provide flat frequency response over entire bandwidth. Resistor tip technology compensates for inductance and capacitance. Variable span between signal tips lets engineers adapt probes to design.

Original Press Release:

Agilent Technologies Introduces 1.5 GHz Differential Probe Offering Unmatched Performance, Industry's Lowest Price

Paired With Agilent Infiniium Oscilloscopes, Probe Offers Industry-Leading Accuracy, Probing Connectivity for Validating High-Speed Digital Designs

PALO ALTO, Calif., Jan. 12, 2004 -- Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) today introduced a 1.5 GHz differential probe that offers unmatched performance at the industry's lowest price. When the Agilent InfiniiMax 1130A differential probe is paired with Agilent's Infiniium mixed signal (MSO) and digital signal oscilloscopes (DSO), the system delivers industry-leading accuracy and probing connectivity to R&D engineers in the computer, communications and semiconductor industries for validating and verifying the performance of new high-speed digital product designs.

"As embedded design speeds increase, oscilloscope users are migrating from 500 MHz to 1 GHz oscilloscopes but continue to use their traditional passive probes that limit system bandwidth to 600 MHz and present significant loading to the circuit under test," said Ron Nersesian, vice president and general manager of Agilent's Design Validation Division. "With the introduction of our differential probe, customers are now able to realize the full system bandwidth of their 1 GHz oscilloscope and take advantage of the InfiniiMax's unsurpassed performance, accuracy and connectivity."

The Agilent InfiniiMax 1130A 1.5 GHz differential probe rounds out Agilent's award-winning(1) InfiniiMax 1130-series single-ended/differential probe system, giving designers the flexibility to choose the probe that matches their application need. The new probe helps engineers maximize the capabilities of the Agilent Infiniium 54830-series of MSOs and DSOs. For example, Agilent Infiniium MSOs enable engineers to easily view up to 20 time-aligned (4 scope + 16 logic timing) signals on one instrument, and offer triggering capabilities that help speed testing and debugging of new digital products.

Traditional probes are designed to make only single-ended or differential measurements, but not both. The flexible architecture of the Agilent 1130A differential probe enables engineers to make either single-ended or differential measurements from a single probe amplifier. Because the majority of designers make measurements on both types of signals, the InfiniiMax probe design can significantly reduce costs. In addition, the new probe offers:

o exclusive controlled transmission-line probe heads, which provide a flat frequency response over the entire bandwidth specification and eliminate the distortion and loading that affects probes with in-band resonance. The probes enable designers to achieve 1 GHz system bandwidth when used in conjunction with Agilent Infiniium 54830-series of 1 GHz MSOs and DSOs, even when manually browsing with the probe.

o resistor tip technology, which compensates for the inductance and capacitance associated with the probe tips to prevent distortion of the measured signals.

o an extensive line of optional probe heads and accessories, which provide unmatched connectivity to full bandwidth even in the most difficult-to-reach situations, such as probing between memory modules on server motherboards.

o variable span between the signal tips, enabling engineers to adapt the probes to the design. When a small probe size is not needed, an adapter is available that makes long-term browsing more comfortable. Solder-in sockets are available for signals that need frequent measurement. The differential probe tips can flex to support various probing angles and target system characteristics for z-axis compliance. In addition, replaceable browser tips improve the usability and versatility of Agilent InfiniiMax probes.

Further Information
o Additional information on Agilent's Infiniium oscilloscopes and InfiniiMax probes is available at www.agilent.com/find/scope-new.

U.S. Pricing and Availability
The Agilent InfiniiMax 1130A differential probe, priced at $3,195, includes a probe amplifier and differential browser kit. The probe is available to order now, with shipments expected in February.

About Agilent Technologies
Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) is a global technology leader in communications, electronics, life sciences and chemical analysis. The company's 29,000 employees serve customers in more than 110 countries. Agilent had net revenue of $6.1 billion in fiscal year 2003. Information about Agilent is available on the Web at www.agilent.com.

(1) EDN Magazine, 2002 Innovation of the Year Award, April 2003. EDN Magazine Top 100 Products of 2002, December 2002. Microwaves & RF, Top Products of 2002, January 2003.