IFR Launches Improved Spectrum Analyzer Aimed at Cost-Effective Wireless Test

2399A establishes new price/performance in spectrum analyzer market

Wichita, Kan. -- November 4, 2002 -- IFR, an Aeroflex company (Nasdaq: ARXX), today announced an improved performance version of the 2399 spectrum analyzer designed to meet the needs of the cellular manufacturing and test market by making a higher frequency range instrument available at an attractive low price. Targeted for a wide range of applications including mobile communication service workshops, base station installation, repair and maintenance of handsets, broadcast and education applications, the 2399A spectrum analyzer offers high performance specifications for the lowest cost available in the market today.

The 2399A is a color 9 kHz to 3 GHz spectrum analyzer that replaces IFR's existing 2399 spectrum analyzer, but offers a lower noise floor of –125 dBm at an aggressive price of $8,700— a decrease of $900 over the 2399.

"The 2399A is the most attractively priced product of its kind in the market today," said Bryan Harber, spectrum analyzer product manager, IFR. "Customers tell us they want lower-cost testing. IFR is continually receiving requests from wireless manufacturers who want good performance specifications, but at a price they can afford. They don't want to pay for more performance than they need. The 2399A should exceed their expectations on both accounts."

New Digital Filters Option Helps Separate Closely-Spaced Signals
The 2399A can be ordered with a new option—digital resolution bandwidth filters (DRBW). Filters are generated digitally at 100Hz, 30 Hz and 10 Hz to allow finer resolution, reducing the effective noise floor by 5 dB. Digital filters are needed when examining closely spaced signals, providing the user with much better visibility in a crowded spectrum.

About the 2399A
The 2399A 3 GHz spectrum analyzer retains the key specifications of the 2399, but with an improved noise floor of –125 dBm, enabling the search for spurious signals that are often obscured by noise generated by the instrument.

The 2399A offers users a large color LCD display, light weight (less than 21 lbs.), a fast processor and a large memory capable of storing up to 1,000 screen traces and 2,000 operational states. The 2399A's 50-ohm input can accept signals between +30 dBm and –120 dBm while providing protection up to 50 V DC. The comprehensive marker system allows as many as nine markers to be displayed at any one time, together with a marker table showing the frequency and level of each marker selected. This feature allows multiple signals to be evaluated simultaneously. In addition to Normal Markers, the 2399A provides Delta Markers, Peak Search, Peak Track, 1/Delta, Marker Track, Marker to Center, and Marker to Reference capability.

The instrument can be ordered with a full-range tracking generator, high stability time base, and quasi-peak detectors for EMC-compatibility testing and digital resolution bandwidth filters.

Key Features and Specifications of the 2399A Spectrum Analyzer

Price and Availability
The 2399A spectrum analyzer is available immediately. Delivery is 6 weeks upon receipt of order. The U.S. list price starts at $9048.

About IFR, an Aeroflex Company
IFR is a leading designer and manufacturer of advanced wireless test solutions for communications, avionics and general test and measurement applications.

About Aeroflex
Aeroflex Incorporated, through its subsidiaries, designs, develops and manufactures state-of-the-art microelectronic module, integrated circuit, interconnect and testing solutions used in broadband communication applications. The Company's common stock trades on the Nasdaq National Market System under the symbol ARXX and is included in the S&P SmallCap 600 index. Additional information concerning Aeroflex Incorporated can be found on the Company's Web site: www.AEROflex.com.