Agilent Korea (CEO and President Seung-Yeol Kim) announced on the 9th that it will hold the Agilent Measurement Forum (AMF) 2012 and launch a new signal generator and signal analyzer.

The Agilent Measurement Forum, Asia's largest measurement forum with over 1,000 attendees, showcases the latest measurement technologies and solutions to address measurement challenges. This year, in line with the emerging market trend of convergence, the forum focused on the theme of "Convergence of Technologies & Applications," showcasing a diverse range of technologies and applications in wireless communications, millimeter wave and RF measurements, automotive and consumer electronics, and simulation and design.

In addition, Agilent Korea announced a new signal generator and signal analyzer in conjunction with the Agilent Measurement Forum.

6 GHz signal generator delivering industry-leading performance

The first signal generators to be introduced are the four new MXG and EXG X-series products, which support the development environment for components and receivers in the radar, military communications and wireless communications fields that have complex challenges of high data processing speeds, interference mitigation and increasing signal quality.

Agilent MXG and EXG X-Series Signal Generators

Today's aerospace/defense environments demand improved radar performance capable of detecting weak signals at long ranges, and testing these designs requires clean, accurate signals. To achieve this, MXG utilizes an innovative triple-loop synthesizer to achieve phase noise performance of -146 dBc/Hz at 20 kHz offset at 1 GHz. And the MXG features industry-leading spurious performance of -96 dBc at 1 GHz for developers of radar-related components such as mixers and analog-to-digital converters.

As wireless communications demand greater data throughput and wider coverage, higher performance is required from wireless communication terminals and network infrastructure. The MXG is the only product with factory-optimized 160-MHz RF bandwidth and ±0.2 dB flatness for designers developing faster data streaming in 802.11ac devices. The MXG and EXG offer industry-leading low EVM, up to +27 dBm output power, and up to -73 dBc ACPR (W-CDMA Test Model 1, 64 DPCH) for improved output power range, interference mitigation, and increased component performance.

“Agilent’s continued innovation in signal generation provides our customers with the unparalleled capabilities they need to test their highest-performance devices,” said Andy Boca, vice president and general manager of Agilent’s Microwave and Communications business. “With signals ranging from simple to complex, the MXG and EXG support detailed measurements that reveal the true performance of advanced designs.”

MXG and EXG provide real-time simulation of complex, real-world signals to support a wide range of signals for mobile communications, wireless connectivity, video, and navigation. Agilent Signal Studio software, a suite of flexible tools that accelerate signal generation, supports rapidly changing standards and highly complex signals, such as real-time simulation of GPS or GLONASS product families and performance testing of LTE base stations.

In manufacturing testing, cost-effective EXG signal generators are optimized for extended uptime and fast throughput (<900 - μs switching) with excellent stability. It also provides the signals required for basic parametric testing of components and verification of receiver performance.

The X-Series is designed for reliability, high speed, easy calibration, and ease of service and repair to reduce ownership costs. The current MXG and EXG signal analyzers utilize technology from previous-generation MXG signal generators, the most reliable signal sources Agilent offers. A three-year calibration cycle and self-maintenance service reduce product maintenance costs and improve equipment uptime.

Cost-effective millimeter-wave signal analysis solution

In addition to its signal generators, Agilent Korea also introduced the industry's most cost-effective EXA signal analyzer, supporting frequencies up to 44 GHz. When used with external mixing, this solution supports frequencies up to 325 GHz, enabling easier and more accurate millimeter wave measurements.



Agilent EXA Signal Analyzer

Today, the demand for millimeter-wave testing and system implementation continues to grow. Furthermore, the growing demand for high-resolution radar, imaging, and sensor systems, along with multi-gigabit wireless and optical data communications, has driven increased interest in high-frequency components and systems. The expanded functionality and performance enhancements of the EXA signal analyzer offer an alternative that effectively addresses these needs while reducing costs.

“As signal frequencies move into the millimeter wave, creating the ability to make accurate signal and spectrum measurements while addressing growing challenges, especially in the aerospace/defense and wireless markets, has become significantly more challenging,” said Andy Boca, vice president and general manager of Agilent’s Microwave Communications business. “As the industry’s most cost-effective microwave signal analysis solution, the EXA signal analyzer helps engineers balance the growing need for higher frequency ranges with shrinking budgets.”

Like other Agilent X-Series signal analyzers, the EXA is versatile and expandable. It offers the broadest set of measurement applications and is easily upgradeable. Weighing just 16 kg, it offers greater portability than the 22 kg PXA signal analyzer, making it ideal for millimeter-wave applications in aerospace/defense and wireless communications backhaul.

The EXA's outstanding sensitivity (<-140 dBm/Hz across V-band with Agilent's smart mixer) enables accurate measurements of spurs and harmonics. With excellent phase noise performance (-106 dBc/Hz at 10 kHz offset from a 1 GHz carrier), the EXA can meet regulatory and test requirements for millimeter-wave device design and performance verification.

The EXA is a family of Agilent X-Series signal analyzers covering a frequency range of 10 Hz to 44 GHz. The X-Series is an innovative approach to signal analysis through instruments and measurement software that cover more than 25 industry-leading measurement applications in cellular wireless communications, wireless connectivity, digital video and more.