Test & Measurement     2007-10-03

Agilent Technologies Introduces HDMI TMDS Signal Generator Platform for Development of High-Speed Devices up to 7 Gb/s

Manufacturers are implementing HDMI in consumer products such as televisions, computers and set-top boxes, which requires them to pay close attention to the interoperability of these devices; high-speed compliance testing and in-depth characterization are the most critical tests

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) today introduced an HDMI Transition-Minimized Differential Signaling (TMDS) signal generator platform that enables HDMI high-speed device testing up to 7 Gb/s. The platform can be used for economical research and development, in-depth chip characterization and Authorized Test Center-based compliance pass/fail testing.

Leading manufacturers are implementing HDMI in consumer products such as televisions, computers and set-top boxes, which requires them to pay close attention to the interoperability of these devices; high-speed compliance testing and in-depth characterization are the most critical tests. The Agilent E4887A HDMI TMDS signal generator platform provides every configuration, the ability to test combined and separate jitter-tolerance compliance, and characterization testing.

The platform includes three configurations that meet individual test needs:

An economical HDMI high-speed tester starting at 740 Mb/s up to 3.4 Gb/s, offering stimulus and debug for all HDMI rates (E4887A-003), though it cannot partially test compliance. Users can test the jitter tolerance, simplify connections to plug adapters, and generate video formats at fast transition times and low jitter. The standard compliant and characterization tester for all data rates up to 3.4 Gb/s offers fast pass/fail testing including characterization for combined and separate jitter tolerance testing.

The high-resolution HDMI TMDS signal generator for in-depth characterization and compliance testing (E4887A-007), allowing the addition of devices up to 7 Gb/s that have already been introduced, stated into the Compliance Test Specification and used by most Authorized Test Centers. The Agilent E4887A is a flexible, expandable platform that can evolve to suit future test needs. It provides fully automated test with the N5990A test automation platform from the Agilent solution partner BitifEye. The standardized test reports allow comparison and exchange between the Authorized Test Center, research and development divisions, and all other users of the N5990A test automation software platform.

Additional information about Agilent's E4887A HDMI test platform is available at www.agilent.com/find/HDMI