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Agilent Technologiesa? New Modular Functional Test System Offers Unsurpassed Coverage, Speed for Automotive Electronics

^{Published on 2011-04-06 23:20:34 - Market Wire}
 

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE:A) today introduced the [ Agilent TS-8900 Automotive Functional Test System ]a" an off-the-shelf, standardized PXI-based solution that offers unsurpassed test coverage and speed for use in automotive electronics test applications. It is especially suited for testing medium- to high-pin-count electronic control units.

"With its higher test coverage and throughput, the Agilent TS-8900 offers manufacturers greater assurance of product reliability, faster time to market, and higher ROI for their test equipment."

Setting a new benchmark in versatility, the [ TS-8900 ] provides up to 20 percent better throughput compared with earlier Agilent automotive functional test solutions. Using the TS-8900a™s simultaneous measurement channel capabilities, manufacturers will be able to employ new test methodologies to improve test coverage, including, for example, untested pin monitoring for random spikes that can signify defects in the control unit.

At the heart of the system is Agilenta™s new 32-channel [ M9216A ] high-voltage data acquisition module. This PXI module is capable of acquiring dynamic voltage levels ranging from 1 mV to 100 V at 250kSa/s per channel simultaneously, making it one of the most powerful high-voltage data acquisition solutions currently available for the automotive industry.

The TS-8900 test system, along with two other automotive-focused PXI modules a" the [ M9186A ] voltage-current source and [ M9185A ] digital/analog converter a" addresses customer challenges by providing direct connectivity to electronic control units without the need for external front-end signal conditioning circuitry.

Designed for ease of use, the TS-8900 comes with a suite of more than 200 built-in applications-tuned test libraries. The robust system is built to provide stable and repeatable tests, making it easy for manufacturers to deploy the same tests across different sites around the world. Leveraging new test technologies, the TS-8900 comes with less equipment and circuitry, making it easier and less expensive to maintain.

aQuality has always been a priority with automotive manufacturers,a said Daniel Mak, vice president of Agilenta™s Measurement Systems Division. aMany recent industrial recall episodes had their root causes in undetected faults in electronic control units, which proved to be costly oversights.

aWith its higher test coverage and throughput, the Agilent TS-8900 offers manufacturers greater assurance of product reliability, faster time to market, and higher ROI for their test equipment.a

The TS-8900 will begin shipping May 31. Prices for this customizable system start at $60,000.

The TS-8900 will be unveiled at the IPC APEX 2011 tradeshow at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Convention Center (Booth 1473) in Las Vegas.

Additional Information

The PXI-based TS-8900 functional test solution is aimed at helping automotive electronics manufacturers to boost their product quality and lower their cost of test. It comprises the following key modules:

• System controller (TestExec SL)
• PXI instrumentations for measurement and stimulus
• Switch/load unit for signal and load switching
• Power sources
• Mass interconnect to devices under test

Additional information is available at [ www.agilent.com/find/ts8900 ]. Product photos are available at [ www.agilent.com/find/ts8900_images ].

For more information on Agilenta™s automotive and board functional test solutions, visit [ www.agilent.com/find/automotive ].

About PXI

PXI is a modular instrumentation platform designed for measurement and automation applications that require high-performance and a rugged industrial form-factor. PXI uses PC-based technology and an industry standard governed by the PXISA ensures ruggedness and system interoperability. Information about Agilent PXI solutions is available at [ www.agilent.com/find/pxi ].

About Agilent Technologies

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) is the worlda™s premier measurement company and a technology leader in chemical analysis, life sciences, electronics and communications. The companya™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 ].

NOTE TO EDITORS: Further technology, corporate citizenship and executive news are available at [ www.agilent.com/go/news ].