TRADE NEWS: Agilent Technologies Introduces RoHS-Compliant 4 Gb/s Fiber Optic Transceivers for Fibre Channel Storage Applications; Multimode Modules Compliant with European Union's RoHS Directive.

GLASGOW, Scotland -- Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE:A) today introduced RoHS-compliant, multimode fiber optic transceivers targeted at 4 Gb/s Fibre Channel storage networking applications such as Fibre Channel switches, disk arrays and host bus adapters. The small-form-factor (SFF) and small-form-factor pluggable (SFP) modules are fully compliant with the European Union's Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive.

"Our customers are driving toward RoHS-compliance while simultaneously upgrading to the 4 Gb/s data rate in storage network applications, and we're leading the way by delivering product to them early and in high volumes," said Tom Fawcett, director of marketing for the Fiber Optic Products Division in Agilent's Semiconductor Products Group. "As the world's largest manufacturer of fiber optic transceivers, our customers can expect the same outstanding performance and reliability in these new RoHS-compliant optical transceivers as they do with all of our transceivers."

Both the Agilent AFBR-59R5LZ in the 2 x 7 SFF package and AFBR-57R5APZ in the SFP package are compliant with ANSI (American National Standards Institute) FC-PI and FC-PI-2 physical layer standards and support Fibre Channel applications at 1-, 2- and 4-Gb/s data rates. Their small form factor and excellent EMI performance enable high-density configurations. Both feature integrated diagnostic monitoring interface (DMI) capabilities per the SFF-8472 multisource agreement, which allows users to monitor link quality during operation using the standard I2C interface. DMI provides users with diagnostic information on optical power, bias current, temperature and supply voltage.

The AFBR-57R5APZ SFP transceiver features an extended operating temperature range of -10 C to +85 C, which allows customers to use the transceiver in extended temperature environments and high-density applications without the need for additional environmental control technology. Agilent 4 Gb/s SFF and SFP devices incorporate Agilent's internally developed ICs and VCSEL (vertical cavity surface emitting laser) technology.

U.S. Pricing and Availability

Both the Agilent multimode AFBR-59R5LZ in the SFF package and the AFBR-57R5APZ in the SFP package are available now in production quantities through Agilent's direct sales channel and its worldwide distribution partners. Pricing is available on request.

Agilent expects to offer production quantities of RoHS-compliant, single-mode 4 Gb/s SFF and SFP fiber optic transceivers before the end of 2005.

Agilent 4 Gb Fibre Channel Solutions

Agilent is a leading supplier of 4 Gb/s Fibre Channel component, board and test solutions. No other vendor offers protocol, physical layer and fiber optic components combined with leading-edge signal and protocol testing. More than half of all storage-networked arrays use Agilent components. More information is available at www.agilent.com/view/storage.

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 28,000 employees serve customers in more than 110 countries. Agilent had net revenue of $7.2 billion in fiscal year 2004. Information about Agilent is available on the Web at www.agilent.com.

NOTE TO EDITORS: Please direct reader inquiries to Agilent Semiconductor Products Group at 800-235-0312, or e-mail us at [e-mail]. Further technology, corporate citizenship and executive news is available on the Agilent news site at www.agilent.com/go/news.