Agilent Technologies and GCT Semiconductor to Accelerate Time-to-Volume for WiMAX(tm)-Enabled Device Manufacturers
SANTA CLARA, Calif., and SAN JOSE, Calif., July 9, 2007 -- Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) and GCT Semiconductor Inc. today announced plans to jointly implement a WiMAX manufacturing test system for GCT's WiMAX chipsets, which will accelerate manufacturing throughput and allow mass production deployment. Agilent will support GCT chipsets with its E6651A Mobile WiMAX Test Set and MXZ-1000 WiMAX Manufacturing Test System. The initial GCT chipset supported will be for 2.3 GHz wave 1 mobile WiMAX products, consisting of GCT's GDM7201S baseband chip and the GRF7201 RF chip, and will be followed by mass deployment of 2.5 GHz wave 2 mobile WiMAX chipsets. The Agilent Mobile WiMAX Test Set, equipped with its Wireless Test Manager and automation software package, can be used to calibrate and verify performance of GCT-based devices and to test many aspects of functionality such as network entry. The Agilent MXZ-1000 WiMAX Manufacturing Test System, which now offers GCT chipset library, is optimized to directly control GCT chipsets and enables the highest possible measurement throughput. "It is essential for Agilent to collaborate with WiMAX-enabled chip set providers in the early stages of their development process so we can create and integrate specific test solutions to accelerate their launch and manufacturing ramp up," said Amir Aghdaei, vice president of Agilent's Measurement Systems Division. "Our partnership with GCT has been a great example of this because we have been able to significantly shorten products' time-to-volume. Agilent's strategic intent to expand its portfolio of WiMAX test products is intended to offer a continuum of price/performance solutions to address WiMAX product development lifecycle." "Our GDM7201 and GRF7201 WiMAX chipsets provide a very attractive combination of low power consumption, small form factor and cost effective bill of materials for WiMAX terminal developers," said Dr. Kyeongho Lee, president and CEO of GCT Semiconductor. "We're pleased to be partnering with Agilent to develop a solution that enables customers to thoroughly test device functionality and quickly ramp up their volume. GCT is well positioned to play a leading role in the expanding WiMAX market by delivering key components to further accelerate the deployment of WiMAX networks. We look forward to a continued relationship working with Agilent." About GCT Semiconductor GCT Semiconductor is a leading fabless semiconductor company that designs, develops and markets innovative integrated circuit solutions for the wireless communications industry. With its proven CMOS radio frequency (RF) and SOC expertise, GCT provides state-of-the-art CMOS RF transceivers and CMOS single-chip Satellite-DMB digital receivers and other SOC solutions serving 3G and 4G mobile handset manufacturers while reducing component cost, lowering power consumption and offering a smaller footprint. For more information, please visit www.gctsemi.com Agilent in WiMAX Forum(r) A principal member of the WiMAX Forum, Agilent is an active participant in the development of WiMAX Radio Conformance Test (RCT) documents and procedures. Agilent was the first to provide standard-compliant IEEE 802.16 physical layer (PHY) design and test tools for fixed and mobile WiMAX applications including WiBro, allowing users to efficiently simulate, troubleshoot and verify designs. Agilent has extended its expertise into manufacturing to help customers get designs to market faster and more efficiently, and will continue to provide comprehensive test tools as the lifecycle progresses into installation and maintenance.