SANTA CLARA, Calif., May 24, 2011 – Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) today introduced the industry’s highest performance HDMI 1.4a protocol analyzer and generator. This instrument allows designers and engineers to test their devices to ensure they meet the requirements of the HDMI compliance test specification 1.4a (CTS 1.4a).
HDMI is a compact interface for transmitting uncompressed data between digital audio/video sources such as DVD players and set-top boxes and other devices such as computer monitors and digital televisions. The HDMI 1.4 specification increased the resolution of supported devices to 4K x 2K and defined an interface for transmitting 3-D video signals. The 1.4a revision supports additional 3-D formats.
The Agilent U4998A directly replaces the Agilent N5998A, the reference high-speed protocol analyzer, video timing analyzer, video picture analyzer, audio timing analyzer, and audio/video protocol generator for HDMI compliance tests required by the CTS. In addition, the U4998A AXIe-based module is the first instrument to support source and sink compliance testing up to the maximum transition modulated differential signaling data rates of 3.4 Gbps – essential to support 4K x2K resolution.
Integration with an offline viewer enables debug through a waveform or listing view, giving designers much more insight into captured data. The component object model interface enables faster testing through automation.
The U4998A offers:
- Support for a maximum data rate of 3.4 Gbps to cover all video formats, including 3-D, 4K x 2K, and deep color.
- User-controlled execution of individual or multiple HDMI 1.4a protocol/audio/video compliance tests for sources and sinks.
- Extended colorimetry and content-type support.
- 4-GB deep memory to maximize the number of frames captured.
The U4998U-PSV passive monitoring upgrade for the U4998A delivers pass-through and mirror capabilities to help engineers debug source and sink issues effectively.
The U4998A is compatible with Agilent’s M9502A two-slot and M9505A five-slot AXIe modular chassis and U4002A two-slot AMP modular chassis, which are designed for high-performance instrumentation.
“Agilent has been involved with HDMI testing since the standard was first established to help companies meet compliance testing requirements and address the challenges presented by this technology,” said Thomas Dippon, Agilent’s HDMI program manager. “We are committed to working with the authorized test centers to provide a complete and reliable test suite, which will ultimately help our customers build better products. Our involvement with the HDMI standards group and related workshops, plugfests and seminars enables Agilent to bring the right solutions to the market when our customers need them.”
“By introducing the industry’s highest performance HDMI 1.4a protocol analyzer and generator, we are helping our customers innovate and take advantage of the full capabilities of HDMI at rates up to 3.4 Gbps,” said Ross Nelson, general manager of Agilent’s Digital Debug Solutions product line. “This AXIe module introduction, Agilent’s third in three months, highlights Agilent’s commitment to growing its AXIe solutions portfolio.”
Additional information on the Agilent U4998A HDMI protocol analyzer and generator is available at www.agilent.com/find/U4998A. Product images are available at www.agilent.com/find/U4998A_images. A backgrounder on Agilent HDMI test solutions is available at www.agilent.com/find/hdmi_backgrounder.
Additional information about Agilent’s HDMI test platform can be viewed at www.agilent.com/find/HDMI. High-resolution images are available at www.agilent.com/find/HDMI_images.
Information on the company’s complete line of protocol solutions is available at www.agilent.com/find/spt. Information on Agilent’s modular products and systems is available at www.agilent.com/find/modular
U.S. Pricing and Availability
The U4998A HDMI 1.4a protocol analyzer and generator module is available now with an entry price of $52,500. The U4998U-PSV passive monitoring option will be available in July with an entry price of $3,000.
About AXIe
AXIe is a standard based on AdvancedTCA technology with extensions for instrumentation and test. The mission of the AXIe Consortium is to provide an open standard that creates a robust ecosystem of components, products and systems for general-purpose instrumentation and semiconductor test. AXIe leverages existing standards from PXI, LXI and IVI. AXIe promises high scalability and performance that will address a range of platforms, including benchtop measurements, rack-and-stack modular and ATE systems. Additional details are available at www.axiestandard.org.
About Agilent Technologies
Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) is the world’s premier measurement company and a technology leader in chemical analysis, life sciences, electronics and communications. The company’s 18,500 employees serve customers in more than 100 countries. Agilent had net revenues of $5.4 billion in fiscal 2010. Information about Agilent is available at www.agilent.com.
