SANTA CLARA, Calif., March 2, 2010 — Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE:A) today introduced its second-generation FlexRay measurement option (Option FLX) on its popular InfiniiVision 5000, 6000 and 7000 Series oscilloscopes. In response to customer feedback on its first-generation.
FlexRay oscilloscope option, Agilent enhanced the measurement capabilities for testing the physical-layer robustness of FlexRay networks in Option FLX and significantly lowered the price for an entry-level FlexRay physical-layer test solution.
FlexRay in-vehicle networking is the automotive standard for deterministic, fault-tolerant, high-speed data communication. FlexRay technology delivers the networking performance required for newer automotive applications such as brake-by-wire and steer-by-wire. FlexRay networks have much higher bandwidth than existing controller-area networks (CAN), and are expected to be the communication backbone for emerging drive-by-wire applications. The advantage of CAN is reduced car weight and energy consumption and increased safety and reliability.
In addition to its existing frame triggering and hardware-based decoding capabilities, Agilent’s new FlexRay option now offers eye-diagram mask testing and a comprehensive FlexRay physical-layer conformance test software package.
Eye-diagram mask testing is one of the most important physical-layer measurements that designers can use to test the overall signal quality of their FlexRay networks. Engineers can download seven different FlexRay eye-diagram mask test files from Agilent’s Web site at no charge. For TP4 testing at a receiver’s input, Agilent’s eye-diagram mask test algorithm uses a unique hardware-based clock recovery technique that closely emulates FlexRay receiver clock re-synchronization and provides the fastest throughput in the oscilloscope industry.
Engineers also can download the FlexRay physical layer conformance test software from Agilent’s Web site at no additional charge. This PC software is based on Agilent’s award-winning compliance test framework used in Infiniium oscilloscopes. FlexRay designers can now perform automated tests at receiver input or transmitter output test points. Up to 33 different physical-layer parameters can be tested, including the “signal integrity voting test” on isolated ones and zeros. The test report includes comprehensive pass/fail results and margin analysis based on published specifications.
In addition to offering enhanced measurement capabilities, Agilent’s second-generation FlexRay option is much easier to use and configure. The option also has a significantly lower net price, as the VPT1000 vehicle protocol test module is no longer required. Option FLX is now available on Agilent’s entry-level InfiniiVision 5000 Series DSO oscilloscopes, which makes it the lowest-priced FlexRay physical-layer test solution in the industry.
Information about the FlexRay standard and the FlexRay Consortium can be
found at www.flexray.com.
U.S. Pricing and Availability
The Agilent FlexRay triggering and real-time decode option (Option FLX or N5432C for after-purchase upgrades) for the InfiniiVision 5000, 6000, and 7000 Series oscilloscopes is priced at $4,500 and is available now. Additional information about Option FLX is available at
www.agilent.com/find/flexray.
About Agilent Technologies
Agilent Technologies (NYSE: A) is the world’s premier measurement company and a technology leader in communications, electronics, life sciences and chemical analysis. The company’s 16,000 employees serve customers in more than 110 countries. Agilent had net revenue of $4.5 billion in fiscal 2009. Information about Agilent is available on the Web at www.agilent.com.
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