Apr 15, 2008 Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) today demonstrated the industry's first integrated HDMI physical layer, EDID, CEC and HDCP tests. This integration of the Quantum Data 882 into Agilent's Test Automation Software Platform provides the broadest video test coverage available. The Quantum Data 882 is an instrument recommended by the HDMI Compliance Test Specification for a range of protocol tests.
The Quantum Data 882 complements tests covered by the Agilent TMDS Signal Generator E4887A and the protocol analyzer and generator N5998A.
HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is an established uncompressed, all-digital audio/video interface that provides crystal-clear audio and video via a single cable. HDMI dramatically simplifies cabling and helps provide consumers with the highest-quality home theater experience, serving as the interface between sources such as a set-top box, DVD player, or A/V receiver and an audio and/or video monitor.
The Agilent HDMI automation solution addresses the need for efficient and consistent certification processes in compliance test labs such as the Authorized Test Centers. This solution also enables fast design and margin analysis where repetitive measurements are required for temperature and design variability.
The Quantum Data 882 becomes fully transparent and accessible in the N5990A Test Automation Software Platform using the new option 350. N5990A is licensed from Agilent's partner company BitifEye Digital Test Solutions.
"Agilent and BitifEye have served a decisive role in the development and deployment of HDMI standard 1.3 test tools," said Chuck Evans, sales manager with Quantum Data. "Over the past couple of years they have been the major test-solution provider by being the first with measurement equipment and leading the physical layer compliance efforts. By collaborating, Agilent, BitifEye and Quantum Data offer our joint HDMI customers an unprecedented level of system integration and automated test coverage under the control of a single PC. After the tests, all results are combined in a single report."
"This automated solution is a result of our customers sharing their difficulties in bringing products and new technologies to market, and is the HDMI test automation with the broadest test coverage on the market," said Kurt Hellinga, HDMI program manager of Agilent's Digital Test Division. "We are excited about the value it offers our customers and the HDMI industry. Engineers are now able to test their HDMI designs systematically and seamlessly from the physical layer to the protocol level with the same efficient, open, user-friendly top-level control software."
Additional information about Agilent's HDMI compliance test solution is available at http://www.agilent.com/find/HDMI. High-resolution images are available at http://www.agilent.com/find/HDMI_images.
U.S. Pricing and Availability
The Agilent Test Automation Software is available now; pricing starts at $10,000.
About Agilent Technologies
Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) is the world's premier measurement company and a technology leader in communications, electronics, life sciences and chemical analysis. The company's 19,000 employees serve customers in more than 110 countries. Agilent had net revenues of $5.4 billion in fiscal 2007. Information about Agilent is available on the Web at http://www.agilent.com.
