Agilent's current HFSS customers will be referred to Ansoft for training and support. Agilent may also purchase up to 60 licenses of the Ansoft HFSS for internal use. The technology exchange does not involve personnel, and financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

The deal makes Ansoft one of the largest suppliers of 3-D electromagnetic modeling tools — software which models the radiation patterns of Bluetooth antennas as well as connectors and pc-board traces at RF frequencies. In fact, early versions of Agilent's HFSS software were developed by Ansoft under an OEM agreement. Prior to its announced acquisition of Agilent's HFSS software, Ansoft offered its own HFSS as a drop-in replacement for Agilent's. Recent versions of the company's respective HFSS software were developed separately and require translators to move data from one company's simulator to the other.

Ansoft president Nick Csendes said he expects Agilent's HFSS customers to experience a "seamless transition" to Ansoft.

Agilent will support its HFSS software for the duration of all existing support contracts. Additional licenses and support for Agilent's HFSS product can be purchased until June 15, 2001, after which the software, documentation, licenses, training and troubleshooting will all come from Ansoft.