SANTA CLARA, Calif., Oct. 6, 2008 -- Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) today announced the U2741A USB modular digital multimeter (DMM). Roughly the size of a paperback book, the 5.5-digit U2741A DMM is the latest member of Agilent's USB modular instruments family. These compact instruments make it possible to carry two or three pieces of powerful test equipment in a briefcase alongside a laptop PC.

The U2741A offers fast, 100 Sa/s measurements and maximum input levels of 300 Vdc and 2 A. It provides a broad range of essential features and 10 measurement functions: DC voltage and DC current; true-RMS AC voltage and AC current; two- and four-wire resistance; frequency; diode test; continuity; and temperature. The bundled Agilent Measurement Manager software provides a familiar user interface on a laptop or desktop PC.

"The U2741A DMM enhances our solution for engineers who are called to troubleshoot problems with electronic products and processes," said Ee Huei Sin, vice president and general manager of Agilent's Basic Instruments Division. "Whether they're being used at a customer site, an outsourced manufacturing facility or elsewhere, our USB modular instruments give engineers the flexibility to arrange and rearrange test configurations to fit changing needs -- quickly, easily and affordably."

As with the other USB modular instruments, the DMM uses standard, high-speed USB 2.0 for plug-and-play connectivity. The included IVI drivers allow users to program with Agilent VEE, MATLAB(r), C#, C++, Microsoft(r) Visual Basic or LabVIEW.

The U2741A DMM joins the U2701A (100 MHz) and U2702A (200 MHz) two-channel oscilloscopes; the U2761A one-channel function generator with arbitrary waveform capability; the U2722A source/measure unit; and the U2751A switch matrix. All can be used as standalone devices or when mounted in the six-slot U2781A chassis. The chassis allows hot swapping of modules even when powered up.

The chassis also supports Agilent's line of USB data acquisition (DAQ) devices, which includes U2600A digital input/output modules, U2300A multi-function DAQ modules and U2500A simultaneous-sampling DAQ modules. These can be used alongside the USB modular instruments within the chassis.

U.S. Pricing and Availability
The Agilent U2741A USB modular DMM is priced at $1,040 and is available now in the Americas, Asia Pacific and Japan. It will be available in Europe on Oct. 17, 2008.

More information about the U2741A can be found at www.agilent.com/find/usbdmm. High-resolution images are available at www.agilent.com/find/usbdmm_images.

About Agilent Technologies' Low-Cost Instruments
An increasing number of field engineers and technicians worldwide are asking for measurement instruments that can be easily transported for installation and maintenance activities. To meet these needs, instruments must have three key attributes: mobility, accuracy and affordability.

Agilent's low-cost instrument initiative is focused on providing high-value test equipment in these key areas. Products include bench, handheld and modular devices, such as basic power supplies, benchtop and handheld digital multimeters, handheld oscilloscopes, USB data acquisition devices, display testers, Agilent VEE software and connectivity gateways. The industry has taken note: The Agilent U1600A Series of oscilloscopes was voted Product of the Year by readers of Elektronik magazine, and the Agilent U1250A Series of digital multimeters was named an EDN Hot 100 Product and analogZONE's Best Value Portable Test Equipment.