New Suite Offers Industry's Only Multivendor Test-System Automation Tools That Enable Error-Free Connections In Under 15 Minutes

PALO ALTO, Calif., Aug. 16, 2004 -- Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) today introduced an enhanced input/output (I/O) library suite that dramatically simplifies and accelerates the process of connecting test instruments to a PC to develop test systems. The Agilent E2094N I/O Libraries Suite 14.0 features updated I/O libraries and new automated connection tools that detect instruments connected to a PC, configure the interfaces, and verify connection even in test systems that mix Ethernet/LAN, GPIB, RS-232, USB and VXI instruments from multiple vendors. Agilent's I/O Libraries Suite is the only multivendor test software that allows engineers to establish error-free connections in less than 15 minutes and create test programs in the development language they choose.

"Often test-system designers are faced with the challenge of combining multivendor instruments that use different software and I/O technologies to create new test systems or add on to existing systems," said Mark Pierpoint, vice president of Agilent's Measurement and Analysis Software Group. "For these designers, Agilent's new I/O Libraries Suite eliminates hours of effort. Now engineers can connect instruments from multiple vendors to their PCs as easily as they connect a printer to a PC."

The Agilent I/O Libraries Suite 14.0 includes updated I/O libraries that connect with all commonly used instrument- and PC-based I/O technologies. The I/O Libraries Suite includes the following features:

• Agilent Connection Expert (CE) automatically discovers connected instruments and configures interfaces for communication. CE simultaneously manages all test-and-measurement standard interfaces (GPIB, RS-232 and VXI), as well as computer-industry standard interfaces (LAN and USB). CE includes a task guide that helps both occasional and expert users through connection tasks.

• The "smart defaults" feature automatically identifies installation defaults based on the hardware configuration and previously installed software, then lets engineers customize the defaults if desired.

• I/O utility tools enable expert debugging and system optimization. Tools include interactive I/O, VISA Assistant and IO Control to enable test system experts to control and debug both the bus and the instrument.

• Sample "hello world" instrument programs are available in common development languages. Engineers can copy and paste sample code directly into their programs to accelerate test development.

The introduction of the Agilent I/O Libraries Suite 14.0 continues Agilent's focus on aligning its test and measurement products with industry-standard programming languages and computer I/O. The I/O libraries suite supports multiple programming languages including Visual Basic 6.0, Visual Basic .NET, C, C++, C#, Agilent VEE Pro and LabVIEW. The connection software provides the broadest instrument communication available using VXIplug&play or IVI-COM drivers and native instrument commands. The software simultaneously manages a wide range of I/O software layers including Agilent VISA, VISA COM or SICL, and works easily with other vendor's I/O software. Using the libraries suite, companies are able to take advantage of their hardware investments and use programming languages they are familiar with to dramatically reduce the time, expense and frustration associated with test-system development.

Further Information

• Additional information about the Agilent E2094N I/O Libraries Suite 14.0 connectivity software is available at www.agilent.com/find/iosuite.

• Backgrounder containing additional information about the I/O Libraries Suite and Agilent system ready test is available at www.agilent.com/find/testsystem_backgrounder.

• Images are available at www.agilent.com/find/iosuite_images.

About Agilent System-Ready Test

Agilent simplifies the process of connecting and programming test systems to help engineers design, validate and manufacture electronic products. Agilent's broad range of system-ready instruments, open industry software, PC-standard I/O and global support combine to accelerate test system development. More information is available at www.agilent.com/find/systemcomponents.