Agilent Technologies Inc. announced yesterday the intent to donate $90 million in software to Georgia Institute of Technology, the largest in-kind software donation ever in its longstanding relationship with the university.

“Georgia Tech is among the best research universities in the world, offering the largest, most diverse electrical and computer engineering program in the United States and regularly turning out the largest number of engineers in America,” said Steve McLaughlin, chair of Georgia Tech’s School of Electrical and Computer Engineering. “Maintaining that position requires the best teachers and facilities and, increasingly, key partnerships with companies like Agilent. Thanks to Agilent’s support, our students now have access to the industry’s leading software and hardware tools.”

Last year, Georgia Tech dedicated a new laboratory to Agilent after the company made a substantial donation to the university’s School of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE).

Agilent’s latest in-kind donation is valued at approximately $90 million over three years and will comprise Agilent EDA software, support and training. The donation is being given as part of the Agilent EEsof EDA University Alliance program. It includes a tailored, three-year custom license program that provides member companies of ECE’s Georgia Electronic Design Center with access to Agilent’s EEsof EDA solutions.

“This is one of the largest academic donations of Agilent EEsof products to a single institution and the largest software gift Georgia Tech has ever received,” said Todd Cutler, general manager with Agilent EEsof EDA. “We realize that universities and start-up incubator programs play a crucial role in pushing the limits of EDA tools; feedback from our partnership with Georgia Tech helps us target our development investments to make sure our products support leading-edge technology development.”

Academic uses of Agilent EDA software will focus on Agilent EEsof’s Advanced Design System and SystemVue solutions. ADS is the world’s leading electronic design automation software for RF, microwave and high-speed digital applications, pioneering innovative and commercially successful technologies such as X-parameters and 3-D electromagnetic simulators. SystemVue is Agilent’s premier platform for designing communications systems. It enables system architects and algorithm developers to innovate the physical layer of wireless and aerospace/defense communications systems and provides unique value to RF, DSP, and FPGA/ASIC implementers.