Attenuators

An attenuator is an electrical component designed to reduce the amplitude of a signal going through an electrical device, without significantly degrading the signal's integrity and reliability.

Attenuation is measured in decibels (dB), frequency range (MHz), power handling (W), and impedance (Ohms).

There are several types of attenuators:

FIXED ATTENUATORS
The attenuation value cannot be varied. They reduce power transmission and are set at a fixed attenuation by symmetrical resistive networks that follows a T, L or Pi configuration, with either directional or bidirectional.

CONTINOUSLY VARIABLE ATTENUATORS
These attenuators can be adjusted manually within a specified range and resolution to yield the required attenuation value, making them more desirable for a variety of applications where more control is needed. They can be controlled either manually or electronically by using a motor.

STEP ATTENUATORS
Similar to fixed attenuators, the Step Attenuator allows the user to select an attenuation value by using a digital or manual control, with a typical range of between 0dB to 50dB.

PROGRAMMABLE ATTENUATORS
These are also known as digital step attenuators, and are normally controlled by a computer-driven external voltage. Programmable attenuators use transistor-transistor logic (TTL) inputs with step sizes 1, 2, 4, 8, 16 and 32.

DC BLOCKING ATTENUATORS
These are coaxial components that prevent the flow of direct current (DC) while offering minimum interference to RF signals.

Attenuators