Oscilloscopes offer analogue bandwidths greater than 16GHz

The company says that the new technology has been designed to address data rates extending beyond 8.5Gb/s as well as the upcoming IEEE 803.2ba 40/100G standard, which will drive the need for signal analysis capabilities to 16GHz and beyond. The InP process is said to improve on traditional silicon process technologies which are unable to achieve true analogue bandwidths above 16GHz and, according to Agilent, has superior material properties. Providing higher saturated and peak electron velocities, higher thermal conductivity, lower surface recombination velocity and higher breakdown electric field. Bob Witte, vice president of Agilent's technology leadership organization, said: "Our expertise in microwave semiconductor technology has proven key in tuning this breakthrough Indium phosphide process to deliver leading specifications for real-time oscilloscopes." Jay Alexander, vice president and general manager of Agilent's oscilloscope organization, added: "Our first oscilloscope family offering this new high speed chipset will start at 16GHz bandwidth. We expect to introduce this high bandwidth family in the first half of 2010. These new products will complement our existing lineup of oscilloscopes and ensure that we can meet upcoming customer needs in a timely manner."