Agilent in Aerospace/Defense Overview

This overview describes Agilent measurement products and service capabilities that contribute to the success of those in the aerospace and defense industry. The topics include:

• The driving needs and evolving issues facing the industry.
• Agilent's position as a supplier of hardware, software, consulting and solutions that deliver meaningful benefits to industry participants--armed services, government agencies, program offices, prime contractors and subcontractors.
• The power of Agilent/customer collaboration in the creation of solutions that help aero/defense organizations meet key goals and metrics.
• The availability of tailored and customized solutions for operational missions and other specialized applications.
• The value of a broad, deep portfolio of cost-effective test equipment that addresses crucial needs in seven key application areas.

We view the industry from two intersecting perspectives: the needs of the participating organizations and the evolution of technology in areas such as radar, electronic warfare, communications and so on.

Missions evolve but one thing stays the same: the need to protect those who go in harm's way. The success of that effort depends on a changing mix of people and technology. As system technology becomes more complex, assuring readiness becomes more difficult. In the pursuit of mission readiness, armed services, government agencies, prime contractors and program offices have overlapping interests on at least three key points:

• Fulfilling today's mission with existing systems and supporting warfighters in the field through greater system readiness.
• Maintaining and sustaining existing systems by solving issues of obsolescence, compatibility, longevity and long-term support that affect test program sets (TPS).
• Managing the transition to a future military of fewer people, increasingly complex systems, new combat scenarios, and programs that require greater levels of technology sharing and resource pooling.

In the U.S., these issues are compounded by an ongoing shift in funding allocations that emphasize the critical needs of the warfighter in the field and thereby reduce funding for future-looking programs.

Agilent supports the following imperatives as a leader in the transformation of test and measurement.

Lowering the costs of system creation, maintenance and migration

For armed services and government agencies, crucial requirements include program longevity, instrument interchangeability and global service. Agilent is addressing these needs in several ways. One example is leadership in the development of open, industry-wide standards such as LAN eXtentions for Instrumentation (LXI). This Ethernet-based replacement for GPIB simplifies test-system creation and also enables cost-effective hybrid systems that easily incorporate new and existing test assets.

Through innovations in measurement hardware, firmware and applications, we help prime contractors stay current with the pace of technological evolution. Many of our current-generation instruments enable comprehensive testing, provide greater utility in a smaller footprint, and continue to deliver on Agilent's long history of precision, accuracy and thorough specifications.

Accelerating development with "connected solutions"

Agilent's connected solutions bridge the gap between software modeling and hardware test by integrating Advanced Design System (ADS) software with instrumentation. This approach enables new design and verification capabilities through the sharing of signals, measurements, algorithms and data in both directions. As one example, connected solutions can be used to create simulation models from measurements of actual components devices under test. They also can be used to determine if a component or subsystem will work within a larger system--without having to physically assemble the whole system. For device evaluation, signals with real-world impairments can be created and generated, enabling realistic testing in the lab or on the production line.

Delivering the economic advantages of COTS

Agilent solutions are built on a solid foundation: our broad, deep line of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) equipment. This provides the economic advantages of COTS plus the quality, performance and durability needed to meet demanding requirements in aerospace and defense.

Ensuring long-term system support

Agilent instruments are thoroughly specified and their measurements are traceable to national standards. To address the needs of long-lived programs and systems, we provide detailed calibration and repair information, are extending the support lives of key instruments, and are creating migration paths that ensure smooth transitions from old to new equipment. To support system maintenance and migration, a growing number of new Agilent instruments provide backward compatibility with previous-generation instruments. We are also increasing the availability of extended support life for instruments that play a critical role in TPS.

Collaborating for organizational success

To enable the creation of TPS that support deployed systems, any Agilent solution must help our customers meet their key metrics: cost, schedule and performance. We address the needs of each group through test equipment, software, services and consulting. As one example, our Advanced Programs team works with prime contractors, program offices and others to create tailored or customized solutions.

When funding is tight, the ability to meet schedule, cost and performance goals becomes especially important. Through a process of "collaborative innovation"--a blend of consulting and services that brings us together with our customers to create effective solutions--our consultants and application engineers provide access to a mix of measurement tools, techniques and processes not readily available from any other source. The results have been significant and our roster of successes continues to grow:

• Earned nine-year extension on 20-year commitment to CASS through support for obsolete equipment
• Developed synthetic instruments (SI) for RTCASS and future eCASS systems
• Provided upgrade path from 856X spectrum analyzers to a modern platform
• Achieved adoption of phase noise system as calibration standard
• Delivered same performance in less rack space via RF/microwave subsystems implemented with SI-based sources and upconverters
• Implemented high performance subsystems for F-35 RF test rack
• Improved test-asset utilization through consulting on manufacturing processes
• Created payload test system based on complex instrumentation suites
• Developed a Link 16 radio test system
• Leveraged RF/microwave capabilities to create subsystems for test system development
• Provided advanced measurement platform for tactical surveillance systems

Agilent's broad offering of instrumentation, software and services supports crucial needs in eight key application and usage areas.

Radar & EW: As technology evolves, so do the challenges in detection, avoidance, EW and countermeasures. In all cases, the testing of today's systems will benefit from high-performance test equipment that provides advanced capabilities: time, frequency and modulation analysis of chirped radar signals; digital vector signal analysis (DVSA) of digital baseband, IF and RF signals; and ultra wideband generation, measurement and analysis of chirp and Barker-coded signals.

Military Communications: To meet present and future mission requirements, measurement solutions must be able to assist in the design and test of versatile software-defined radios (SDR) throughout their lifecycles. Agilent offers many examples: simultaneous measurements of time-synchronized analog and digital signals; gated measurements of custom wireless formats; the capture and playback of I/Q waveforms from both digital and RF test points; the creation and generation of complex waveforms, sweeps and modulated signals; and design tools that make it possible to combine simulations with actual measurements.

Satellites: Design and validation tools from Agilent provide greater assurance that satellite guidance, payloads and communications will work as expected for the duration of their mission. Key capabilities include detailed assessments of broadband communications signals and comprehensive component and subsystem testing.

Surveillance & Intelligence: Our diverse technology base and deep familiarity with wireless communications provides an edge in all phases signal intelligence: intercept and collect; detect and eradicate; monitor and track (including centralized or distributed monitoring); or trend and analyze. The ultimate result is faster detection, assessment and response. Through our Advanced Programs team, we can create mission-specific solutions by tailoring COTS equipment or creating custom devices that meet highly demanding requirements.

Avionics, Guidance & Navigation: Whether testing is needed to achieve regulatory certification or meet demanding system specifications, our solutions enable extensive testing that helps ensure safe, successful journeys. A wide range of instruments address these applications: signal generators with built-in functions for GPS/GNSS testing; signal analyzers that demodulate and measure wireless signals; microwave network analyzers that characterize system components; and handheld instruments that support installation and maintenance.

ATE Applications: Covering LAN, Web, LXI-based synthetic instruments and more, Agilent's approach to ATE accommodates a wide range of program requirements, developer preferences and test assets. Through instrumentation, software and I/O solutions, Agilent gives system creators choices that let them use their preferred tools and architectures--and help them maximize test-system longevity.

Operational Test: Agilent's handheld and portable instruments accelerate troubleshooting at the operational level and provide insights that help intermediate-level and depot-level teams quickly identify failed modules and components. Example instruments include one-box testers for wireless and wireline communications, battery-powered spectrum analyzers, handheld oscilloscopes, network analyzers and multimeters.

RF & Microwave Component Test: Key capabilities include complete linear and non-linear characterization of power amplifiers, antennas, millimeter-wave components and frequency converters.

Asset management and Technology Refresh: Whether you are migrating to a new technology, extending the life of an existing system, or developing a new program, Agilent has services and solutions to assist you in refreshing your existing test and measurement applications. Services include Instrument and Migration Planning Services (IMPS), Test System Development Services, Code Compatibility and Migration solutions and Product Support Solutions to extend your instrument warranty and service.

Agilent's goal is to serve as a source of assurance that present and future missions will succeed. When aerospace and defense organizations leverage our expertise in measurement science and test processes, they gain more time to focus on the bigger issues: fulfilling today's mission and managing the transition to what comes next. Leveraging our long heritage of leadership in the test-and-measurement industry, Agilent is prepared to support the present and future needs of the aerospace/defense industry around the world.

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