Agilent Technologies introduces 3D electromagnetic simulation software for RF and microwave circuit designers

Electromagnetic Design System sets new standard for price-performance, integrates with EDA software design flow

PALO ALTO, Calif., May 8, 2006, Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) today introduced its Electromagnetic Design System (EMDS) for RF and microwave circuit designers. The Agilent EMDS is the leading performance tool for its price point, and integrates with Agilent’s industry-leading RF and microwave circuit design and simulation flow.

“In January, we announced our investment in 3D EM simulation tools as part of a larger strategy to expand our high-frequency EDA offerings,” said Jim McGillivary, general manager of Agilent’s EEsof EDA division. “Today, we are right on schedule with our EMDS. We’re very encouraged by the early positive response from both Advanced Design System and GENESYS customers to the technology and price point, and to our future direction that includes advanced levels of integration with all our circuit-design software tools.”

Circuit designers have recognized the benefits of accounting for 3D EM effects when designs include passive structures such as component-level bond wires, connectors, packages and machined parts. Because the high-end 3D EM simulators on the market demand a much higher price than common circuit-simulation tools, RF and microwave engineers have often skipped the EM analysis step, relying instead on “best guesses” regarding 3D EM effects on circuit performance.

Agilent’s EMDS provides a 3D EM solution at a price comparable with leading circuit-simulation tools, so more designers can afford to have it on their desktops. EMDS allows analysis and visualization of EM effects that provide insight into the design performance. Designers can use it to make informed decisions and adjustments before physical prototyping begins. This reduces or eliminates costly design iterations, and can save months in a typical product-development cycle.

This first release of the Agilent EMDS provides basic design-flow integration with Agilent’s Advanced Design System (ADS), allowing users to bring layout designs from ADS into EMDS for full 3D analysis. Agilent plans to include increasing levels of integration with ADS and with the company’s GENESYS environment.

Agilent’s ADS offers a complete set of front-to-back simulation and layout tools and instrument links for RF and microwave IC design in a single, integrated design flow. GENESYS, from the former Eagleware-Elanix product line, is a single, integrated electronic design automation environment for RF and microwave applications.

The Agilent EMDS is available to selected beta-test customers beginning in June 2006. For more information about how companies can participate in beta-code evaluation, visit www.agilent.com/find/eesof-betatest.

Additional information about Agilent’s EMDS is available at www.agilent.com/find/eesof.

A high-resolution image of Agilent’s EMDS product is available at www.agilent.com/find/eesof-emds_image.

U.S. Pricing and Availability

The Agilent EMDS 2006A is expected to ship in July 2006, with prices starting at $15,000.
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 20,000 employees serve customers in more than 110 countries. Agilent had net revenue of $5.1 billion in fiscal 2005. Information about Agilent is available on the Web at www.agilent.com.

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Janet Smith

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Agilent Technologies Inc.

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