Agilent Technologies Inc.'s six microwave synthetic instruments are the first Class A LXI (LAN eXtension for Instruments) products to achieve certification from the LXI Consortium. The synthetic instruments support the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) NxTest vision.

The synthetic instrument concept involves the linking of individual hardware and software modules to emulate standard test instruments in a compact form factor. The result is a common system architecture that enables the DoD's prime contractors to design scalable, morphable automated test systems (ATSs) that can accommodate new measurement applications and future technology updates. The ability to reuse or replace functional modules to suit present and future measurement scenarios will reduce the total lifetime cost of an ATS by extending system longevity and providing obsolescence protection.

The six modules, described below, are also part of Agilent Open, which provides system-ready convenience and flexible connectivity:
• N8201A: This 26.5 GHz downconverter provides IF output frequencies of 7.5, 21.4 and 321.4 MHz, enabling three different signal-bandwidth capabilities. External mixing can be used to downconvert microwave signals as high as 110 GHz.
• N8211A: This 20/40 GHz analog upconverter generates a stimulus signal with superior AM, FM and pulse-modulation capabilities (external or internal modulation). It also provides high output power, low phase noise and level accuracy.
• N8212A: This 20 GHz 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.
• N8221A: This 30 MSps IF digitizer with a 21.4 MHz IF input provides 80 dB dynamic range, 14-bit resolution, and 8 MHz modulation bandwidth.
• N8241A: This arbitrary waveform generator (AWG) features simultaneous 1.25 GSps sampling and 15-bit resolution. It offers dual-channel, single-ended and differential outputs, with 500 MHz of instantaneous analog bandwidth per channel.
• N8242A: This AWG features a choice of either 1.25 GSps or 625 MSps with 10-bit resolution. It offers dual-channel, single-ended and differential outputs, with 500 MHz or 250 MHz of instantaneous analog bandwidth per channel. Available now, the modules are priced from $8500 to $100,000, depending on selected options.