Digital Attenuator that cover mobile frequency bands | Ranatec

Digital Step Attenuator

Ranatec offers Digital Attenuator/Digital Step Attenuator systems and modules that covers all mobile frequency bands and gives a calibrated attenuation range of more than 90 dB in steps of 0.25 dB, and offers both serial and parallel control logic.

Ranatec’s digital attenuators

Ranatec’s digital attenuators are used to accurately and reliably set RF-signal levels, either as an integral part of an in-service RF-solution or as part of a wireless test automation system. Applications span multiple industries and technologies.

Controlling the level of the RF signal with a digital step attenuator is a must to:

  • Secure compliance with standards and regulations (and to avoid unhealthy radiation)
  • Avoid hardware malfunctions and damages due to excessive RF levels
  • Optimize the performance of networks, receivers, transmitters, and other RF functions

Ranatec has developed a range of wireless test automation products, enabling accurate and efficient test and verification of RF and microwave subsystems, products and solutions. The Ranatec test automation product range contains both general purpose instruments as well as solutions tailored to customer specific demands and are used for design validation and verification, homologation and certification as well as production testing and in-service monitoring.

Read more about the applications and characteristics of Ranatec’s digital attenuators.

RF2025 Digital Attenuator Box, 4-channel

Features

  • Four individually controlled RF channels
  • Attenuation setting through web-interface or API
  • 100 MHz to 8 GHz frequency range
  • Attenuation steps of 1 dB
  • Each channel individually calibrated
  • 0.5 dB attenuation accuracy (up to 6 GHz)
  • 2 W maximum input power
  • 19” rack mountable, 1U height
Supply voltage 100-240 VAC, 50/60 Hz
Power consumption < 40 W
Operating frequency 100 MHz – 8 GHz
Impedance 50 Ohm
Input power (max) +33 dBm
Max DC at RF inputs 0 VDC
Return loss >10 dB (any port)
Insertion loss 7.5 dB (typical)
Attenuation step size 1 dB
Attenuation accuracy 0.5 dB (up to 6 GHz)
2 dB (6 to 8 GHz)
Attenuation range 6-96 dB @ 0.1-4 GHz
8-90 dB @ 4-6 GHz
12-80 dB @ 6-7 GHz
12-60 dB @ 7-8 GHz
X-channel isolation >100 dB
Dimensions 450x45x320 mm
Weight 3 kg
Connectors 50 ohm SMA(F)
Digital Attenuator that cover mobile frequency bands | Ranatec

Overview

The RF2025 Attenuator Box is a high performance, digitally controlled, 4-channel RF attenuator system. It is intended for any automated RF testing where high accuracy signal power control is needed. The RF2025 offers very good attenuation accuracy, high dynamic range and speed.

The high performance of the attenuator box is obtained through a high precision attenuator design, along with extensive factory calibration procedures. Although the nominal setting is done with a 1 dB granularity, the actual attenuation is fed back from the attenuator. For the frequency range up to 6 GHz, this yields knowledge of the actual attenuation within +/-0.25 dB.

Application

The RF2025 is intended for any testing where accurate RF power control is needed over a wide dynamic range. Typical applications include transmitter, receiver as well as system level testing of mobile, WLAN and Bluetooth devices:

  • During all phases of product development
  • For (pre-)conformance testing/homologation
  • Production testing / Quality assurance

Control Options

  • Web-interface, for manual operations
  • Textual (SCPI-like) API
  • Binary API

Ordering

RF2025 Attenuator Box

RF2026 Digital Attenuator Box, 4-channel

Features

  • Four individually controlled RF channels
  • Attenuation setting through web-interface or API
  • 100 MHz to 8 GHz frequency range
  • Up to 110 dB attenuation
  • Attenuation steps of 1 dB
  • Each channel individually calibrated
  • 0.5 dB attenuation accuracy (up to 6 GHz)
  • 2 W maximum input power
  • 19” rack mountable, 1U height
Supply voltage 100-240 VAC, 50/60 Hz
Power consumption < 40 W
Operating frequency 100 MHz – 8 GHz
Impedance 50 Ohm
Input power (max) +33 dBm
Max DC at RF inputs 0 VDC
Return loss >10 dB (any port)
Attenuation step size 1 dB
Attenuation accuracy 0.5 dB (up to 6 GHz)
2 dB (6 to 8 GHz)
Attenuation range 20-110 dB @ 0.1-6 GHz
24-100 dB @ 6-8 GHz
X-channel isolation >100 dB
Dimensions 450x45x320 mm
Weight 3 kg
Connectors 50 ohm SMA(F)
Digital Attenuator that cover mobile frequency bands | Ranatec

Overview

The RF2026 Attenuator Box is a digitally controlled, 4-channel RF attenuator system.

It is intended for any automated RF testing where high accuracy signal power control is needed. The RF2026 offers very good attenuation accuracy, high dynamic range and speed.

The high performance of the attenuator box is obtained through a high precision attenuator design, along with extensive factory calibration procedures. Although the nominal setting is done with a 1 dB granularity, the actual attenuation is fed back from the attenuator. For the frequency range up to 6 GHz, this yields knowledge of the actual attenuation within +/-0.5 dB.

Application

The RF2026 is intended for any testing where accurate RF power control is needed over a wide dynamic range. Typical applications include transmitter, receiver as well as system level testing of mobile, WLAN and Bluetooth devices:

  • During all phases of product development
  • For (pre-)conformance testing/homologation
  • Production testing / Quality assurance

Control Options

  • Web-interface, for manual operations
  • Textual (SCPI-like) API

Ordering

RF2026 Attenuator Box

FAQs

A digital attenuator is a device that attenuates or reduces the amplitude of an RF signal passing through it – where the amount of attenuation is digitally controlled. The main purpose of a digital attenuator is to set RF signal levels for testing and verification of RF and microwave subsystems, products, and solutions.

A digital step attenuator and digital attenuator are the same thing. A digital attenuator, unlike variable attenuators, switches in discrete and finite attenuation states, usually achieved in binary steps, employing semiconductor devices to achieve each attenuation step. Due to how it sets the attenuation levels, a digital attenuator is often referred to as a digital step attenuator.

There’s several important parameters you need to keep in mind when you’re on the lookout for digital step attenuators solutions. These are important considerations you need to keep in mind to be able to find the right digital attenuator to match your needs:

  • The operating frequency at which the digital attenuator is either fully functional or provides the best performance.
  • The total attenuation range that the attenuator can provide.
  • Attenuation step size, typically 0.25, 0.5 or 1.0 dB. This defines the smallest change in attenuation that can be achieved.
  • Insertion loss. This is the smallest attenuation that can be set.
  • The type of logic the digital attenuator uses to perform attenuation.
  • The switching speeds for how long it takes the attenuator to switch between two states.

Interface compatibility.

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