Agilent Unveils Advanced Sound Analyzer - Analyst Blog

Agilent Technologies Inc. A recently launched the Agilent EEs of EDA E4727A Advanced Low-Frequency Noise Analyzer. It is an advanced device to gauge and study flicker noise and random telegraph noise RTN.

Flicker noise also known as 1/f noise or pink noise is a low-frequency noise (LFN) generated mostly from electronic devices due to material faults and coarseness. RTN is an electronic noise that develops in semiconductors due to defects caused by manufacturing processes and outer decay.

The software E4727A is devised to make swift and precise measurements of LFN. It can support measurement of substrate mapping and also reduce system noise. With these features, accurate and consistent results can be easily obtained.

Substrate mapping or 'wafer mapping' is a procedure to present the performance of semiconductor devices across a substratum via mapping. It is represented in the form of a color-coded framework.

In its latest product, Agilent has integrated computation algorithms to offer a supercharged, fast measuring device that should improve the manufacturing efficiency of semiconductors.

Agilent Technologies is a leading global measurement company, which provides a variety of instrumentation solutions organized under three groups —Electronic Measurement, Chemical Analysis and Life Sciences. The primary areas where the company's test and measurement products are used include semiconductor, industrial, pharma, research, government, food processing, petrochemicals, forensics and environment

In the last few years, Agilent has been increasing focus on the life sciences, genomics, diagnostics and wireless test markets, where it has made a few important acquisitions. In October last year, Agilent entered into an agreement with ABC Instrumentacion Analytica to acquire its assets.

Agilent's revenues in the first quarter were down 2.3% sequentially but were more or less consistent with year-ago levels. The major portion of revenues came from the Asia/Pacific region, which contributed 37%, followed by the Americas with 33% and Europe, which accounted for the balance.

However, earnings per share of 67 cents beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by a penny, helped by good expense control and a stronger mix.

Agilent's shares carry a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). Some better-ranked stocks include Melco Crown Entertainment Limited MPEL, Ametek Inc. AME and Brocade Communications Systems, Inc. BRCD. All these stocks sport a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).