PALO ALTO, Calif. & GRENOBLE, France, Feb. 20 -- Agilent Technologies Inc.; the CEA-Leti, a laboratory of the French Atomic Energy Commission; and the Institut National Polytechnique Grenoble (INPG) announced they will jointly develop a new optical and high-speed communications test and design facility in Grenoble. The platform and test (PLATEST) facility will be available for lease to startup companies and research and development organizations to develop innovative communications components and subsystems. It will be part of the Minatec Innovation Centre, a European research center for micro- and nanotechnologies now under construction in Grenoble. "Researchers and early-stage optical companies require the latest technology and reliable equipment to carry out their studies, and Agilent is extremely well-positioned to provide them with both," said Alain Bondois, European startup sales program manager for Agilent's Electronic Products and Solutions Group. Agilent will provide its 81910A photonic all-parameter analyzer; 86100B Infiniium digital communication analyzer, with 30-GHz optical/40-GHz electrical plug-ins; and 13.5-GHz parallel bit error rate test platform. The INPG is a coalition of nine engineering schools and about 40 research labs; its Institute of Microelectronics, Electromagnetism and Photonics focuses on advanced microelectronics, optoelectronics and microwave devices. The three organizations said they plan to develop more innovative tests in advanced communication and training at the Grenoble site. Agilent said it will co-sponsor a symposium on technology and test techniques and work closely with PLATEST users to help them acquire test and measurement expertise. For more information, visit: www.agilent.com