Agilent Technologies Inc.’s family of six new microwave synthetic instruments support the U.S. Department of Defense's (DoD) NxTest vision of flexible, modular and morphable instrumentation. They are also LXI- (LAN eXtension for Instruments) compliant.

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Synthetic instrumentation is a modular hardware and software test initiative driven by the DoD as part of its NxTest vision. This concept involves linking individual hardware and software test modules together to emulate standard instruments in a new, compact form factor. The result is a morphable, common system architecture that enables the DoD's prime contractors to design scalable automated test systems (ATSs), giving them the flexibility to insert technology and transform the ATS to accommodate new measurement applications. The reusability of modules in different measurement scenarios reduces the total lifetime costs of the ATS by extending the system's longevity and provides obsolescence protection.

The synthetic instruments announced will be demonstrated at Autotestcon 2005, to be held Sept. 26-29 in Orlando, Fla. The six new modules are part of the Agilent Open program, which provides system-ready convenience and flexible connectivity. These include:

• N8201A. This 26.5-GHz downconverter provides three IF output frequencies of 7.5, 21.4 and 321.4 MHz to offer three signal bandwidth capabilities. External mixing can be used to downconvert microwave signals up to 110 GHz. This module is leveraged from the PSA Series spectrum analyzer.
• N8221A. This 30 MS/s IF digitizer with a 21.4 MHz IF input provides 80 dB dynamic range, 14 bits of resolution, and 8 MHz modulation bandwidth.
• N8241A. This arbitrary waveform generator features a 1.25 GSps sampling rate and 15 bits of resolution simultaneously, and it is based on Agilent's N6030A. This instrument offers dual-channel, single-ended and differential outputs, with 500 MHz of instantaneous analog bandwidth per channel.
• N8212A. This 20 GHz performance vector upconverter functions as a microwave source with greater than 2 GHz I/Q modulation bandwidth. It features AM, FM and pulse modulation (external or internal modulation) and multisource coherent carrier capability. This module is based on the high-performance PSG vector signal generator.
• N8211A. This 20/40-GHz performance analog upconverter generates a stimulus signal with superior AM, FM and pulse modulation capabilities (external or internal modulation). This module is based on the PSG analog signal generator's high output power, low phase noise and excellent level accuracy.

Pricing for the modules ranges from $8500 to $100,000, depending on the options. The modules will be available to order in November 2005.