How do I choose a RF attenuator?
When choosing a RF attenuator, there are a couple of questions about how you will be using the attenuator that determine which attenuator type is best for your application.
Does the attenuation need to be variable or can it be a single fixed value?
- For fixed dB value use a fixed attenuator.
- For variable attenuation, on to the next question.
How do you want to control the variable attenuator?
- For manual control use a manually variable attenuator.
- For parallel control lines use a programmable attenuator.
- For USB control use a USB attenuator.
- For Ethernet control use an Ethernet attenuator.
Fixed Attenuator
A fixed attenuator is an attenuator that has a single fixed dB value. When purchasing a fixed attenuator you have to specify which dB value you require. Use our selection chart to look up your required dB value. To select a fixed attenuator, you will need to know the impedance and maximum RF input power level.
Manually Variable Attenuator
Our manual attenuators are passive devices which do not require any external Voltage to operate. Just turn the knob to change the attenuation setting. For manual attenuators you need to know the impedance, but you also have to choose which type of manual control you prefer.
Manual attenuators with rotary knob type controls:
Manual attenuators with switch type controls:
Programmable Attenuator
For programmable attenuators you need to know the impedance, but also the design type. Programmable attenuators can have an electro-mechanical relay or solid-state type design. Solid-state attenuators have no moving parts and MTBF of 250,000 hours. Solid-state attenuators are often used for automated testing of wireless devices and wireless device-to-network testing. Electro-mechanical attenuators have moving parts with mechanical wear and lifetimes of 1 million operations typical. Electro-mechanical attenuators are often used when minimum signal distortion is testing critical.
USB Attenuator
Our USB attenuators are shipped with a GUI software program that is Microsoft Windows compatible. We have a USB Python library available upon request to help with integrating attenuator control into your test scripts.
Ethernet Attenuator
Our Ethernet attenuators are available in rack mount enclosures or benchtop enclosures. They run our current 3.X.X firmware. We offer Python examples showing how to connect and control our attenuator assemblies upon request. We also provide a GUI program with each model that is Windows compatible.
