September 3, 2002 -- Agilent Technologies today introduced the Agilent E2156A fully integrated test system for optical amplifier manufacturers. The E2156A provides highly accurate measurements on an open, extensible platform that can be customized to meet user-specific needs.

Optical amplifier manufacturers can configure the E2156A with just the right amount of test capabilities for budget-sensitive applications, and protect their investment by easily upgrading the system to meet new optical amplifier test requirements. Users can work within a familiar software environment to easily change device test sequences, allowing manufacturers to remain cost-competitive while responding quickly to new technological and market requirements.

"Manufacturers can stay cost competitive in the metro market by using our new solution for low cost test of metro optical amplifiers," said Dave Myers, vice president and general manager of Agilent's Systems Generation and Delivery Unit. "This is achieved through low system cost, test throughput optimization, and low-cost support of optical amplifier technologies, including SOA [semiconductor optical amplifier], EDWA [erbium-doped waveguide amplifier]."

The Agilent E2156A optical amplifier test system is expected to be available September 15, 2002, at a starting price of $133,000. Additional information is available at www.agilent.com/comms/lightwave.