TRADE NEWS: Agilent Technologies Offers First Comprehensive Suite of Test Tools for Validating Systems Using Fully Buffered DIMMs.

SAN FRANCISCO -- Eight New Tools Provide Unprecedented Debug Capabilities from Physical Layer to Protocol Layer

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE:A) today announced the industry's first comprehensive suite of test tools that provide designers complete visibility into systems using fully buffered DIMMs (FBDs). By providing visibility from the physical layer to the protocol layer, these tools offer unprecedented validation, debug and optimization capabilities for FBD.

Servers and high-end workstations constantly need more memory to support resource-heavy applications. FBD addresses this need by offering a high-speed link between memory controllers and FBDs, and by placing a buffer on the DIMMs that allows multiple DIMMs to be placed behind each FBD channel. This significantly increases the amount of memory available compared with traditional memory architectures.

"Agilent's breadth of test and measurement products puts us in the unique position of offering a complete line of test tools to designers working on FBD," said Ron Nersesian, vice president and general manager of Agilent's Design Validation Division. "Providing a 'one-stop shop' for customers takes the confusion and anxiety out of getting reliable, capable test equipment and allows customers a single point of contact to simplify and speed their development cycle."

By providing insight into all layers of an FBD system, the test suite's eight new tools provide unprecedented debug capabilities:

--The FBD slot analysis probe and FBD interposer analysis probe, when combined with the Agilent 16900 Series logic analyzers, enable protocol decode of the 4.8 Gb/s transmit and receive channels running from the memory controller to the advanced memory buffer (AMB). The slot probe provides access to mechanically tight systems, and the interposer probe provides the ability to test with a fully populated system.

--The FBD validation DIMM version B analysis probe, when combined with the Agilent 16900 Series logic analyzers, enables protocol decode of the traffic from the AMB to the DDR2 DRAMs.

--The 4x resistor pack flying lead provides a way to attach a 16900 Series logic analyzer to standard FBD resistor packs to enable observation of the address and command traffic.

--The 4x/8x BGA DRAM interposer probe enables viewing of data traffic on industry-standard FBDs with the 16900 Series logic analyzers.

--The FBD slot parametric probe makes it possible to view the analog characteristics of the transmit and receive channels from the memory controller to the AMB using an Agilent oscilloscope. In addition to using the Agilent oscilloscope, customers can also connect an Agilent bit error rate tester (BERT), Agilent vector network analyzer (VNA), or Agilent pulse generator, depending on the type of measurement needed.

--The FBD AMB parametric test fixture and FBD parametric test fixture both provide standard interfaces to Agilent oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, VNAs, BERTs and pulse generators for characterizing and troubleshooting standalone AMBs or FBDs.

"FBD is revolutionizing the way designers build memory systems for computers and servers," said David Zimmerman, technology development manager for Intel's Platform Memory Operations. "As FBD becomes more widespread, it is important to have test tools that can provide accurate and repeatable measurements."

Further Information

--Additional information about the Agilent suite of test products for FBD systems is available at www.agilent.com/find/fbd.

--Additional information about Fully Buffered DIMMs (FBD) is available at www.agilent.com/find/fbd_backgrounder.

--Images are available at www.agilent.com/find/fbd_images.

U.S. Pricing and Availability

The Agilent suite of test products for FBD systems is available for order now, with shipments expected in October 2004.

Model      Description                                   Price
-----      -----------                                   -----

FSI-60097  FBD slot analysis probe                       $26,000
FSI-60099  FBD validation DIMM version B analysis probe  $ 1,950
FSI-60105  FBD interposer analysis probe                 $20,800
N4234A     4x resistor pack flying lead                  $ 1,500
N4235A     FBD AMB parametric test fixture               $10,000
N4236A     FBD parametric test fixture                   $10,000
N4237A     4x/8x BGA DRAM interposer probe               $ 3,000
N4238A     FBD slot parametric probe                     $ 7,000

About Agilent Technologies

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE:A) is a global 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 $6.1 billion in fiscal year 2003. Information about Agilent is available on the Web at www.agilent.com.

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