Attenuators Control Amplitude From 6 To 16 GHz

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Dec. 17, 2009

MANY TYPES OF ATTENUATORS have evolved to reduce a signal's amplitude or power without overly adding distortion. For example, a recent example of a broadband digital attenuator is the model DAT-23-480/2S. This 8-b attenuator covers 6 to 16 GHz with attenuation range of 0 to 64 dB and least-significant bit (LSB) of 0.25 dB. It exhibits insertion loss of 6 dB or less and maximum VSWR of 2.0:1. The attenuator typically switches in 500 ns. It provides 1.2 dB flatness at its 64-dB attenuation setting. The DAT-23-480/2S includes TTL control logic, an internal integrated linearized driver, an internal clock, and a digital-to-analog converter (DAC). Its sibling, the model AAT-30-479/5S linearized X-band attenuator, spans 8 to 12.4 GHz. This 0-to-60-dB linearized attenuator exhibits insertion loss to 3 dB with a maximum VSWR of 2.0:1. It typically accomplishes attenuation with a transfer function of 10 dB/V. It draws 100 mA current from a+15-VDC source.

Pulsar Microwave Corp., 48 Industrial West, Clifton, NJ, 07012; (973) 779-6262, FAX: (973) 779-2727, Internet: www.pulsarmicrowave.com.

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About the Author

Nancy Friedrich

RF Product Marketing Manager for Aerospace Defense, Keysight Technologies

Nancy Friedrich is RF Product Marketing Manager for Aerospace Defense at Keysight Technologies. Nancy Friedrich started a career in engineering media about two decades ago with a stint editing copy and writing news for Electronic Design. A few years later, she began writing full time as technology editor at Wireless Systems Design. In 2005, Nancy was named editor-in-chief of Microwaves & RF, a position she held (along with other positions as group content head) until 2018. Nancy then moved to a position at UBM, where she was editor-in-chief of Design News and content director for tradeshows including DesignCon, ESC, and the Smart Manufacturing shows.