Agilent Technologies' Industry-First Infrared Transceiver and Software Combo Enables Universal Remote Control via Mobile Phone or PDA.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 16, 2003

Complete Hardware and Software Solution Combines Low-Power IrDA

Serial Infrared and Universal Remote Control for Handheld Devices

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE:A) today announced the industry's first low-power infrared (IR) transceiver and application software combination that enables mobile phones and PDAs to function as universal IR remote control devices for televisions, VCRs, DVDs and other home appliances. The Agilent solution is easier to integrate into new product designs and requires fewer external components than competing solutions, and it offers an extended remote control distance of up to 8 meters (approximately 26 feet).

"We're the first to offer mobile phone and PDA manufacturers one-stop shopping for IrDA transceivers and remote control application software," said Kee Hane Ngoh, operations manager of Agilent's Infrared Products Operation. "This two-in-one transceiver technology and companion application software provides manufacturers with a way to offer consumers a high-value feature at very little additional cost. The Agilent solution enables new products that allow consumers to operate as many as 80 different home appliances from a single handheld device."

The Agilent HSDL-3003 dual-function transceiver supports both low-power serial infrared (SIR) and remote control operation. The transceiver is compliant with IrDA Physical Layer version 1.4 low-power standards and operates at SIR data rates from 9.6 kb/s to 115.2 kb/s. It is offered in a small profile surface mount package, with dimensions of 2.70 mm (height) by 8.00 mm (width) by 2.95 mm (depth), and combines an IrDA link distance of up to 50 cm. This allows the PDA or phone to transfer data, such as "point-and-pay" infrared financial management (IrFM) transactions, business cards, messages or files, over an increased distance.

The HSDL-3003 also has a flexible programming mode to enable easy software programming. It has very low idle current at 50 micro amps typical and its shutdown current of 10 nA helps extend battery life in mobile devices. In the shutdown mode, the PIN diode will be inactive, thus generating very little photocurrent even under very bright ambient light. All Agilent IR transceivers are IEC 825-Class 1 compliant.

Agilent's complementary HSDL-S300 application software is a universal remote control program with a pre-defined remote control database and a self-teach/learn mode. The software incorporates profiles for TV, DVD, VCR, air conditioning, CD, audio, LD/VCD (laser disk/video compact disk) and other home appliances. Each profile can have up to 10 sets of device controls, thus 80 home appliance devices can be stored (8 profiles x 10 devices) and each device can have up to 32 buttons/functions which can either be controlled via the mobile phone's or PDA's touch screen or keypad buttons.

U.S. Pricing and Availability

The Agilent HSDL-3003 IrDA/Remote Control transceiver is priced at $2.45 each in 10,000- to 24,999-piece quantities, and is available through Agilent's direct sales channel and Agilent's worldwide distribution partners. The HSDL-S300 application software is priced at $15,000, along with a small "per unit" royalty fee. The software is available now through Agilent's Asia Pacific distribution partners, and is expected to be available through Agilent's U.S. and European distributors later this year. Technical support, training and integration services are also available. Further information on Agilent's infrared products is available at www.agilent.com/view/ir.

About Agilent Technologies

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE:A) is a global technology leader in communications, electronics, life sciences and chemical analysis. The company's 32,000 employees serve customers in more than 110 countries. Agilent had net revenue of $6 billion in fiscal year 2002. Information about Agilent is available on the Web at www.agilent.com.

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