Agilent Technologies Launches First Over-the-Air Test System for CDMA Base Stations; Measurements Provide a Fast, Easy, Non-Intrusive Way to Check a Base Station's Health.

Business Editors and High-Tech Writers

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 18, 2000

Agilent Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: A), a subsidiary of Hewlett-Packard Company, today announced the Agilent E7490A, the first over-the-air maintenance tool for testing CDMA base stations. This new, non-intrusive test method will solve the wireless service provider's dilemma of how to easily access base stations that are located in hard-to-reach areas such as urban rooftops or the tops of telephone poles.

The new maintenance tool integrates CDMA base-station over-the-air test (BOAT) software with the digital receiver and platform software of Agilent's E7400 series drive-test systems. This solution allows service providers to make quick, first-level checks of base-station functionality without having to hook up test equipment or take their base stations off-the-air.

"Our highly innovative approach makes testing practical and easy in today's environment of smaller, less-accessible base stations," said George Sparks, general manager of Agilent's Wireless Market Solutions Unit.

Using this maintenance tool, technicians can drive into a sector, run a series of automated tests from the inside of their vehicle, and generate a report that provides an accurate measure of whether the base station is operating normally.

By using the E7490A, technicians can proactively maintain CDMA base stations in an economical, time-efficient manner. If a problem is indicated, the technicians then can take a standard carry-in base-station tester into the cell for more comprehensive troubleshooting or replace the suspect equipment.

Over-the-air test software

The BOAT software is also available as an extension to Agilent's existing E7473A CDMA drive-test system. For network-optimization engineers who use this system, the BOAT software monitors active traffic channels in real time to provide a better understanding of the CDMA network's operation. Using the details that BOAT provides about call traffic and power distribution, optimization engineers can better use the capacity of their existing infrastructure.

Over-the-air measurements include code-domain, channel and pilot-power; PN offset number; absolute timing offset; pilot-paging and pilot-sync amplitude delta; estimated rho; frequency error; peak and average power per active traffic channel; and more. The PC-based software provides one-button measurements, a one-button report generator, alarms, pass/fail indicators, data recording and playback, and data export.

Background

The over-the-air maintenance tool and BOAT software build on Agilent's existing PCS and cellular drive-test systems for CDMA, TDMA and GSM. They also extend the company's leadership in CDMA base-station testing by complementing Agilent's current family of industry-leading, carry-in base-station test sets. This broad technology offering of drive- and carry-in test products allows wireless-service providers and network-equipment manufacturers more flexibility.

U.S. Pricing and Availability

The Agilent E7490A CDMA over-air maintenance tool is available now starting at $17,500. The BOAT software option for the E7473A CDMA drive-test system is priced from $7,500.

More information on this product can be found on the Web at www.agilent.com/find/wireless.

About Agilent Technologies

Agilent Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: A) is a diversified technology company, resulting from Hewlett-Packard Company's plan to strategically realign itself into two fully independent companies. With 42,000 employees serving customers in more than 120 countries, Agilent Technologies is a global leader in designing and manufacturing test, measurement and monitoring instruments, systems and solutions, and semiconductor and optical components. The company serves markets that include communications, electronics, life sciences and healthcare. The businesses comprising Agilent, a subsidiary of HP, had net revenues of more than $8.3 billion in fiscal year 1999.

Information about Agilent Technologies can be found on the Web at www.agilent.com.

NOTE TO THE EDITOR: Sales information may be obtained by calling 1-800-452-4844, ext. 6930. Please do NOT use editor-contact or corporate telephone numbers for sales information.

Information in this release applies specifically to products available in the United States. Product availability and specifications may vary in non-U.S. markets.

If you choose to review this item, your readers will receive the quickest response to their inquiries by mailing them to Agilent Technologies, Test and Measurement Organization, 5301 Stevens Creek Blvd., MS 54LAK, Santa Clara, Calif. 95052.