Date: 08/12/2008

Hardware-based mask limit testing for general-purpose oscilloscopes

Agilent Technologies announced the hardware-based mask limit testing application, N5455A, for general-purpose oscilloscopes. Hardware-based mask testing helps users test hardware in seconds instead of the hours it takes with software-based solutions. This new application is ideal for engineers working in manufacturing and R&D who need to validate the quality and stability of electronic components and systems.

In conventional mask-testing solutions, oscilloscopes typically test about 10 to 60 waveforms per second using software-based algorithms. It takes several seconds to accumulate enough data to be statistically meaningful. To acquire enough points for Six Sigma resolution - or a defect rate of 3.4 parts per million - would take almost 1.5 hours, or more if failures were found in the signals. Agilent's hardware-accelerated mask testing solution maintains a fast waveform update rate of 100,000 waveforms per second, which decreases this 1.5-hour test time to only 3.3 seconds.

1. The application offers a sustained test rate of up to 89,000 pass/fail mask tests per second.
2. The new mask limit testing application (N5455A or Option -LMT with new oscilloscope purchases) is available as part of the InfiniiVision 5.2 software release for all InfiniiVision 5000, 6000 and 7000 Series oscilloscopes.
3. Also included in the 5.2 release are: Changes to the existing segmented memory option (N5454A or Option SGM). And changes to the existing RS-232/UART serial triggering and decode option (N5457A or Option 232).

Pricing and Availability:

1. The Agilent N5455A mask limit testing software will be available Dec. 16. Pricing starts at $625.
2. The InfiniiVision feature upgrades will also be available on Dec. 16. The upgrade fee is $100.

Information about Agilent is available on the web at: www.agilent.com