Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) today introduced the industry’s first optical mouse reference design kits based on the company’s patented LaserStream technology. Two LaserStream reference designs are being offered: one for high-end corded mice and one for high-performance gaming mice.

Agilent’s LaserStream illumination and tracking technology provides 20 times the surface tracking power of an LED-based optical mouse sensor. Laser illumination is superior to LED-based illumination because it reveals trackable surface structures the LED light source cannot uncover. Laser mice using this technology can easily track on painted metal, polished wood-grain, glossy photo paper, translucent plastic, frosted glass and many other previously difficult surfaces.

“Our new LaserStream reference design kits are enabling our OEM customers to complete their new corded and gaming laser mouse designs in time for the high-volume, fourth-quarter retail sales season,” said Ngoh Kee Hane, vice president and general manager of the Navigation Products Division in Agilent’s Semiconductor Products Group. “Consumers are clearly gravitating to the higher performance and superior tracking of laser mice. This transition from LED-based mice to laser-based mice is occurring at a much faster pace than the last technology cycle, in which LED mice replaced mechanical ball mice.”

ADNK-6003 Corded Laser Mouse Kit

Based on the Agilent ADNS-6000 laser navigation sensor and the Cypress CY7C63743-PXC USB microcontroller, the ADNK-6003 optical mouse designer’s kit provides a low-cost and feature-rich time-to-market solution. The ADNS-6000 features 800 counts per inch (cpi) resolution, 20 inches per second (ips) maximum velocity and a 6,400 frames per second (fps) frame rate. The ADNS-6000 sensor along with the ADNS-6120 lens, ADNS-6230 clip and ADNV-6330 laser diode form the complete laser mouse tracking system. Communication between the CY7C63743-PXC microcontroller and the Agilent ADNS-6000 sensor is accomplished through the integrated serial peripheral interface. The Cypress microcontroller features a 12 MHz internal clock, 256 bytes of RAM, 8 Kbytes of EPROM, a built-in clock oscillator and timers, and programmable drive strength and pull-up resistors on each I/O line.

The Agilent ADNK-6003 designer’s kit is connectable to a PC via the USB port. A USB cable is provided with the kit.

ADNK-6013 Corded Laser Gaming Mouse Kit

Based on the Agilent ADNS-6010 high-performance laser navigation sensor and the Cypress CY7C63743-PXC USB microcontroller, the ADNK-6013 optical mouse designer’s kit provides a fast time-to-market solution for development of the industry’s highest-performing laser gaming mice. The ADNS-6010 features industry-leading 2,000 cpi resolution, 45 ips maximum velocity and a 7,080 fps frame rate. The ADNS-6010 sensor along with the ADNS-6120 lens, ADNS-6230 clip and ADNV-6330 laser diode form the complete laser mouse tracking system. Communication between the CY7C63743-PXC microcontroller and the Agilent ADNS-6010 sensor is accomplished through the integrated serial peripheral interface. The Cypress EPROM-based microcontroller allows for easy firmware modification.

The Agilent ADNK-6013 designer’s kit is connectable to a PC via the USB port. A USB cable is provided with the kit.

Agilent Optical Mouse Sensor Solutions

Agilent pioneered position sensing for mouse technology and supplies these products to all major optical mouse manufacturers worldwide, having shipped more than 400 million sensors to date. Agilent provides a broad portfolio of mouse sensors, ranging from inexpensive, entry-level LED-based models to high-precision versions. Since their introduction, optical mice powered by Agilent’s optical sensing technology have established themselves as the standard in computer input devices. Agilent’s new LaserStream technology is expected to revolutionize the mouse industry yet again.

More information about Agilent’s LED and laser optical navigation sensors, and reference design kits is available at www.agilent.com/view/opticalnavigation.

About Agilent Technologies

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) is the world’s premier measurement company and a technology leader in communications, electronics, life sciences and chemical analysis. The company’s 28,000 employees serve customers in more than 110 countries. Agilent had net revenue of $7.2 billion in fiscal year 2004. Information about Agilent is available on the Web at www.agilent.com.