Agilent Technologies' Next-Generation Noise-Figure Analyzer Significantly Improves Speed, Accuracy, Flexibility and Ease of Use

Business Wire, April 17, 2000

    Business Editors

    PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 17, 2000--Agilent
Technologies Inc. (NYSE:A) introduces two noise-figure analyzers with
up to twice the accuracy and up to three times the speed of their
predecessor, the industry-standard HP 8970B noise-figure meter. The
new architecture of the Agilent NFA series also has a more flexible
and intuitive user interface that simplifies noise-figure
measurements.
    "The extraordinary migration of subscribers to personal wireless
communications systems has dramatically increased the level of
congestion within the communications bands," said Bill Savage, general
manager of Agilent's Power and Noise Product Generation Unit. "As a
result, enhancing receiver performance characteristics such as noise
figure has become critical. Noise-figure performance can help our
customers differentiate their products, whether they are wireless
handsets, base stations, satellite receivers or radar systems."

    Key Features and Benefits

    The NFA series consists of two models, the 1.5-GHz entry-level
Agilent N8972A and the higher performing 3.0-GHz Agilent N8973A. Along
with a more flexible and intuitive user interface than the HP 8970B,
they provide a real-time display of noise figure or gain versus
frequency, easy measurement set up, built-in data storage and printer
connectivity.

    In addition, the 3.0-GHz Agilent N8973A offers the following key
features and benefits:

    -   Two measurement modes -- The N8973A features point or sweep
        averaging for real-time tuning, and sweep list for
        point-by-point measurements at specified frequencies.

    -   Increased accuracy -- The N8973A's two-fold improvement in
        measurement accuracy increases its sensitivity to low-level
        signals. The N8973A provides highly repeatable and accurate
        characterization of individual system components, which allows
        a designer to determine the noise figure of an entire system.
        This means a manufacturer can more tightly specify a product's
        performance, and its customers can readily compare a product's
        performance to similar devices.

    -   Faster throughput -- For high-volume manufacturers, the
        three-times-faster N8973A provides real-time tuning for
        increased throughput of devices such as low-noise blocks
        (LNBs) used in home satellite receivers.

    -   Narrowband measurements -- Some of today's
        wireless-communications devices require the ability to measure
        noise figure in very narrow bandwidths. The N8973A has
        selectable bandwidths for 4MHz down to 100kHz, which allows
        verification of noise figure according to the most stringent
        specifications.

Key Specifications

                                    N8972A                     N8973A
Frequency range                     10MHz to 1.5GHz      10MHz to 3GHz
Noise figure uncertainty            0.1dB                     0.05dB
Typical speed per freq. point       less than 100ms     less than 50ms
Measurement bandwidth               4MHz nominal        4, 2, or 1MHz
                                 400, 200, or 100kHz

    New Noise Figure Application Notes

    Concurrent with the introduction of its easy-to-use NFA series,
Agilent Technologies has published new and revised application notes
to help overcome the perception that noise figure is difficult to
measure. The completely revised "Fundamentals of Noise-Figure
Measurements" provides a solid understanding of the basics of
noise-figure measurements. This note explains how, by understanding
noise figure, a designer can control it and the gain of system
components, and thus directly control the noise figure of an overall
system. The new "Ten Hints for Better Noise-Figure Measurements"
explains key factors affecting the uncertainties in noise figure
measurements to provide repeatable results.
    These application notes, an uncertainty calculator and complete
details on the Agilent NFA series are available on the Agilent Web
site at www.agilent.com/find/nf.

    U. S. Prices and Availability

    Now available worldwide, the Agilent NFA N8972A 1.5-GHz model is
priced at $16,750 and the Agilent NFA N8973A 3.0-GHz model is priced
at $22,750.

    About Agilent Technologies

    Agilent Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: A) is a diversified technology
company, resulting from Hewlett-Packard Company's plan to
strategically realign itself into two fully independent companies.
With 42,000 employees serving customers in more than 120 countries,
Agilent Technologies is a global leader in designing and manufacturing
test, measurement and monitoring instruments, systems and solutions,
and semiconductor and optical components. The company serves markets
that include communications, electronics, life sciences and
healthcare. The businesses comprising Agilent, a subsidiary of HP, had
net revenues of more than $8.3 billion in fiscal year 1999.
    Information about Agilent Technologies can be found on the Web at
www.agilent.com.

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    CONTACT: Agilent Technologies
             Susan Fisher, 707/577-4071
             susan_fisher@agilent.com
               or
             John Lucas, 408/553-7089
             john_lucas@agilent.com

    KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA
    INDUSTRY KEYWORD: COMPUTERS/ELECTRONICS MEDICAL E-COMMERCE