July 24, 2012 - Agilent Technologies Korea, a global test and measurement company (CEO: Lee Seung-yeol), announced today at the Marriott Hotel a solution that adds wireless connectivity to its existing 11 handheld digital multimeter (HH DMM) devices. Dennis Au, Asia-Pacific Regional Sales Manager in attendance at the presentation, stated that through Agilent's DMM wireless Connector, the company can further solidify the new concept of "Simplifying the Engineer's work day."

Subsequently, Huei Sin Ee, Vice President of General Management at Agilent's Business and Industrial Division, explained the DMM Connector utilizing Bluetooth technology called WRC at today's presentation. This solution can be connected to handheld measuring instruments and smart devices (tablet PCs and smartphones) that many engineers currently own. It addresses the chronic issue of existing handheld devices where measurement information transmission was limited by the UI constraints, enabling organized measurement data to be conveyed through a convenient and useful consumer-friendly UI. Although most smart devices currently on the market use Android, the announced app can also be downloaded on iPhones. However, it appears that an iPhone app has not yet been created. Rather than a functional issue, this reflects the fact that current engineer preferences are concentrated on Android, so the Android smart device app was developed and distributed first, with the iOS app currently in development.



Regarding the utility of this Bluetooth-based DMM Connector technology, Huei Sin Ee conveyed practical usage methods through several scenarios. For example, in the case of measuring apartment distribution breakers, electrical testing in numerous and complex locations requires measuring load or leakage conditions at each switch location. Due to the distance between switches and distribution breakers, measurements had to be conducted with either two people or one person moving extensively. Agilent's DMM Connector was developed to address this inefficient aspect.

The DMM Connector can be downloaded as an app from Agilent's website and used immediately.
While Bluetooth usage might suggest distance and building obstruction limitations, currently coverage is possible up to 10 meters, though connectivity may be affected depending on environmental conditions. However, in typical building structures, Bluetooth communication between devices can work without significant issues. Additionally, through the remote function, engineers can transmit commands via their smart devices to remote measuring instruments and control them.

Moreover, through this product's app, one smart device can connect to up to three DMM devices. This reflects awareness of current smart device memory and CPU limitations rather than a technical issue, and current market devices can smoothly connect to three DMM devices. However, in the previous Galaxy S version, only two devices could be connected. By connecting multiple DMM devices in this way, measurement graphs can be viewed comprehensively. Specifically, graphs are displayed in a single chart, allowing all currently connected data to be viewed on one screen. Additionally, by storing previous data on the smart device, previously created records can be reviewed again, and real-time changing measurement data can be monitored. Furthermore, if the smart device is connected to the internet due to the app's nature, measurement results and data can be shared in real-time with headquarters or other people.

Huei Sin Ee expects this solution can be used not only in existing industrial, electrical and electronic fields but also in aerospace and aviation sectors, and announced that this will enable Agilent to create a new market scale.

The wireless device installed in the handheld measuring instrument announced this time is the U1117A, sized at approximately one-fifth of existing multimeter devices and can be applied to existing other devices. In particular, previous Agilent devices will be provided with brackets, allowing new users to experience a new user interface at affordable prices through authorized distributors.



In fact, the DMM Connector announced this time connects via Bluetooth to create a more convenient working environment for engineers, but it also appears that data convergence and new data derivation through smart devices will be possible. Furthermore, since it is implemented as an app, depending on circumstances, optimized data convergence functions tailored to client requirements could be added, and since the app itself is open source, if desired, engineers can directly manipulate the program to help derive new data.

At today's presentation, Gooi Bor Chun, an engineer from Asia-Pacific, conducted an actual usage demonstration of the announced DMM Bluetooth Connector, which can be viewed on e4ds.com's video.