Attenuators are usually passive devices made from simple voltage divider networks. Switching between different resistances forms adjustable stepped attenuators and continuously adjustable ones using potentiometers. For higher frequencies precisely matched low VSWR resistance networks are used.
Fixed attenuators in circuits are used to lower voltage, dissipate power, and to improve impedance matching. In measuring signals, attenuator pads or adapters are used to lower the amplitude of the signal a known amount to enable measurements, or to protect the measuring device from signal levels that might damage it. Attenuators are also used to ‘match’ impedance by lowering apparent SWR.
Attenuator characteristics
Key specifications for attenuators are:
Attenuation expressed in decibels of relative power. A 3 dB pad reduces power to one half, 6 dB to one fourth, 10 dB to one tenth, 20 dB to one hundredth, 30 dB to one thousandth and so on. For voltage, you double the dBs so for example 6 dB is half in voltage.
Nominal impedance, for example 50 ohm
Frequency bandwidth, for example DC-6 GHz
Power dissipation depends on mass and surface area of resistance material as well as possible additional cooling fins.
SWR is the standing wave ratio for input and output ports
Accuracy
Repeatability
RF attenuators
Radio frequency attenuators are typically coaxial in structure with precision connectors as ports and coaxial, micro strip or thin-film internal structure. Above SHF special waveguide structure is required.
Important characteristics are:
Accuracy, low SWR, flat frequency-response and repeatability.
The size and shape of the attenuator depends on its ability to dissipate power. RF attenuators are used as loads for and as known attenuation and protective dissipation of power in measuring RF signals.
What we have?
About our fixed Attenuators, We have 2W-500W range of power, N-JK, SMA-JK, BNC-JK, DIN-J/N-K Type connectors. DC-3GHz/4GHz/6GHz frequencies. We also have step virable attenuators, 2W-10W DC-3GHz 50ohm with N-KK or SMA-KK connectors.
