Attenuator

An attenuator is an electronic device which reduces the amplitude or power of a signal without distorting its waveform. It is opposite of amplifier .while amplifier provides gain but attenuator provides loss or gain less than 1.

The attenuators are made from voltage divider networks and are passive devices With the help of potentiometers adjustable attenuators are made and stepped attenuators are made from switching between resistances.

To reduce voltage, dissipate power and to improve matching fixed attenuators are used. Attenuators are also used to 'match' impedances by lowering apparent Standing Wave Ratio.

The coupling portions are available in all types of plug and jack combinations of attenuators and stainless steel is used for the external cladding to form a small and durable structure.

Although some attenuators are of the surface mount type, but they offer superior high frequency

characteristics from DC to 8 Ghz.

There are different types of attenuators like RF Attenuators and Audio Attenuators

RF attenuators

Radio frequency attenuators are typically coaxial in structure with precision connectors as ports and coaxial, micro strip or thin-film internal structure.

Important characteristics are:

accuracy,

low Standing Wave Ratio,

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 attenuations and protective dissipations of power in measuring RF signals.

Audio attenuators

A line-level attenuator in the preamp or a power attenuator after the power amplifier uses electrical resistance to reduce the amplitude of the signal that reaches the speaker, reducing the volume of the output. A line-level attenuator has lower power handling, such as a 1/2-watt potentiometer. A power attenuator has higher power handling, such as 10 or 50 watts.

Features

1.Variations of Attenuators

Attenuators are available in wide variety of variations from 0 to 30 dB in 0.5 dB to 1 db steps, so that levels can be finely adjusted.

2.High Degree of Matching and High Reliability

Attenuators use a distributed constant circuit and metal film resistors. A

high degree of matching is also achieved. Furthermore,these attenuators show stable characteristics for environments of varying temperature, humidity, and gases.

3.Small Size and Economical

The attenuators are in abundance of small size less weight and very economical. Small size and light weight allows side-by-side panel mounting of several attenuators. Small, lightweight and low V.S.W.R makes it ideally suited for the widely used high frequency transmission applications. Frequency bandwidth and high reliability is achieved by the use of resistance substrate on the extremely thin board, to form a suspended line. HRS unique resistance substrate design and center conductor connection assures consistent and stable performance in changing temperature environments

4.Easy connection

Because of output / input connectors face back,connection and disconnection is quietly possible. Attenuators even can be modified to fit specific requirements

Applications

Wide variety of measuring instruments and other devices requiring control of high frequency

transmission lines.

Optical transmission devices

Network analyzers

BERTS (Bit Error Ratio Testing Systems)

FWA (Fixed Wireless Access)

Measurement applications requiring transmission frequencies of up to 65 Ghz.

W-CDMA base stations and a wide variety of high frequency devices.

DWDM applications

Aerospace industries

Telecoms industries

Security connections

Testing

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