8493C
8493A/B
8491A/B
• High accuracy
• Low SWR
• Broadband frequency coverage
• Small size
Agilent 8491A/B, 8493A/B/C,
11581A, 11582A and 11583C
Coaxial Attenuators
dc to 26.5 GHz
Product Overview
2
Description
Agilent’s coaxial fixed attenuators
provide precision attenuation, flat
frequency response, and low SWR
over broad frequency ranges (dc to
26.5 GHz) at low prices. Attenuators
are available in eight attenuation
values: 3, 6, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50,
and 60 dB; with performances
specified from dc to 26.5 GHz;
and with choice of four connector
types: Type-N, APC-7, SMA1, and
APC 3.52.
These attenuators are all tested
on a state-of-the-art precision analyzer to assure specifications over
the full frequency ranges. Although
the 8493C is not specified above
26.5 GHz, it performs resonance
free to 34 GHz with only a small
loss in performance.
Precision construction
The attenuators employ a film on
an attenuator card as the resistive
element. The uniformity and repeatability of the film deposition process
result in high accuracy and low SWR
over very wide frequency ranges.
The 8493C features thin-filmtantalum nitride on a sapphire
substrate for exceptional precision
performance to 26.5 GHz. In fact, it
performs resonance-free to 34
GHz, the top frequency limit of the
APC-3.5 connector.
The choice of connector type and
material also ensure accurate and
repeatable attenuation. The 8491A/B
attenuators are furnished with
Type-N connectors whose dimensions are compatible with either
MIL-C-71 or MIL-C-39012 connector
specifications.
These connectors are stainless
steel for long wear and high
repeatability. The 8493A/B
attenuators are furnished with
SMA type connectors. The connectors
are heat treated beryllium copper
for greater strength and wear.
The 8493C is furnished with the
APC 3.5 connector which is
compatible with standard SMA
connectors but is more rugged
and offers improved repeatability
over hundreds of connections.
1. As per USASI Committee C83.2 compatible with OSM, ARM, WPM, BRM, NPM, etc.
2. Mate with MIL-C-71 or MIL-C-39012 connectors.
Applications
Ruggedness, reliability and small
size make these attenuators useful
both on the bench and in systems
applications. With their high accuracy and low SWR they are ideally
suited for extending the range of
sensitive power meters for higher
power measurements and for
“padding” poorly matched devices
to improve system SWR.
These same characteristics lend
themselves to applications as
calibration standards in attenuation
and RF substitution measurements.
With their broad dc to 26.5 GHz
frequency range and reasonable
cost, general applications, such
as the reduction of power level to
sensitive components and instrumentation systems, are attractive
and appropriate uses for these
attenuators.
Accuracy
The accuracy of an attenuator
directly affects the accuracy of the
measurement where the attenuator
is used. In fact, attenuators are
used extensively as the standard
against which other instruments
or devices are calibrated.
Aglilent’s fixed attenuators achieve
flat frequency response (typically a
few hundredths of a dB) and overall accuracy (typically ±2 % of
value in dB at 26.5 GHz) through
the use of thin-film attenuator
cards. These cards are composed
of high stability tantalum nitride
resistive film deposited on a
sapphire or alumina substrate.
3
Quality assurance in testing
The flat frequency response and
low SWR of the attenuators are
assured over the entire frequency
range by full frequency band testing
on a state-of-the-art precision
analyzer. Full frequency band testing
ensures that narrow resonances in
the frequency band are not overlooked. Actual attenuation values
taken at dc, 4, 8, 12, 18, and 26.5
GHz are stamped on the attenuator
body for permanent and easy reference.
Testing each attenuator with a
state-of-the-art precision analyzer
brings standards lab accuracy to
production testing because the
system can determine its own
measurement uncertainties and
compensate for them in the testing
process. System calibration is
derived from precise physical standards which are directly traceable
to the National Bureau of Standards.
In addition, automatic testing
eliminates the possibility of human
error in setting instrument controls,
taking data, or making calculations.
Quality assurance
in specifications
The following examples demonstrate
the reliability and comprehensiveness of specifications. Although
the absolute accuracy for a 3 dB
attenuator is specified as ±0.3 dB,
test data statistics indicate an
expected value of 3 dB ±0.20 dB
from dc to 18 GHz. Similarly a
30 dB attenuator is specified as
±1.0 dB, but typically is no worse
than 30 dB ±0.75 dB from dc to
18 GHz. The other attenuation
values are also specified as
conservatively.
In addition, Agilent precision
attenuators meet more comprehensive
performance standards. Linear
phase response is an example. Not
only is wide bandwidth significant,
but also linear phase response is
an important parameter for applications where pulse distortion
must be kept to a minimum. The
excellent linearity of the Aglilent
attenuators is typified in the
accompanying illustration of
an actual network analyzer
measurement.
Economy
Automated procedures have resulted in economies of scale in production and testing. The automated
resistive film deposition process
permits high-volume manufacture
with excellent yield. Furthermore,
characteristics are consistently
uniform; hand “touch-up” is not
required to meet specifications.
Automatic testing means exceptionally thorough, high-accuracy
measurements can be performed
in appreciably shorter time than
could be done manually.
The overall result is outstanding
attenuator performance at attractive prices.
Calibration data
Optional calibration data
Use of calibration data has always
been an effective means of reducing measurement uncertainty at
RF and microwave frequencies.
This data is available for Agilent’s
fixed attenuators as Option 849xxUK6. Data which is generated by
an automatic network analyzer
provides a tabulated list of
attenuation and SWR’s at 26 to
67 frequencies (see table 2).
Measurements to 60 dB are
directly traceable to NBS standards
and feature very low measurement
uncertainties. Option 849xx-UK6
data is available when the attenuators are first purchased and recalibrations are available through
Agilent Customer Service Centers
around the world.
4
Center trace is phase response of 8491A –6 dB
attenuator from 1.0 to 2.0 GHz taken with Agilent
8410 network analyzer. Top and bottom traces are ±1°
calibration. Linear phase component has been
compensated for with a line stretcher. Response,
therefore, shows nonlinear phase deviation of
< ±1/2° over 1 to 2 GHz band.
Ordering information
To order, basic model number and option (specifies
attenuation value) must be specified. Option 849xxUK6 calibration data can also be ordered with the
basic model number and attenuation value option.
Please note, Option 849xx-UK6 is not available with
11581/2A nor 11583C.
Table 3. Attenuation data uncertainties
Attenuation 8491, 8492 and 8493 Attenuation data uncertainty
(dB) (dB)
0.1 to 2.0 2 to 6 6 to 12.4 12.4 to 18.0 18.0 to 26.5
GHz GHz GHZ GHz GHz
3 ±0.07 ±0.06 ±0.06 ±0.11 ±.15
6 ±0.07 ±0.07 ±0.07 ±0.11 ±.15
10 ±0.08 ±0.07 ±0.07 ±0.12 ±.15
20 ±0.09 ±0.08 ±0.08 ±0.13 ±.15
30 ±0.12 ±0.11 ±0.11 ±0.15 ±.l 8
40 ±0.15 ±0.14 ±0.14 ±0.21 ±.25
50 ±0.23 ±0.23 ±0.23 ±0.34 n/a
60 ±0.50* ±0.48* ±0.90* ±0.90* n/a
*The uncertainties noted represent 99.7% probability values.
5
Table 1. SWR data uncertainties
SWR data uncertainties
Connector Frequency Measured SWR Measured SWR
type range (GHz) 1.0 to 1.35 1.35 to 1.86
APC 7 & male dc to 12.4 ±0.025 ±0.041
Type-N 12.4 to 18.0 ±0.031 ±0.050
Female dc to 8.0 ±0.025 ±0.046
Type-N 8.0 to 12.4 ±0.031 ±0.063
12.4 to 18.0 ±0.042 ±0.071
Male SMA dc to 8.0 ±0.031 ±0.054
8.0 to 12.4 ±0.045 ±0.084
12.4 to 18.0 ±0.077 ±0.137
Female SMA dc to 8.0 ±0.054 ±0.088
8.0 to 12.4 ±0.077 ±0.132
12.4 to 18.0 ±0.122 ±0.206
Male APC-3.5 dc to 10 ±0.025 ±0.041
10 to 18 ±0.031 ±0.050
18 to 26.5 ±0.045 ±0.067
Female dc to 10 ±0.020 ±0.030
APC-3.5 10 to 18 ±0.025 ±0.037
18 to 26.5 ±0.035 ±0.050
Table 2. Coaxial attenuator calibration frequencies* (MHz)
100 4500 9000 13000 16750
500 5000 9500 13500 17000
1000 5500 10000 14000 17250
1500 6000 10500 14500 17500
2000 6500 11000 15000 17750
2500 7000 11500 15500 18000
3000 7500 12000 16000 (each 250 MHz
3500 8000 12400 16250 to 26.5 GHz)
4000 8500 12500 16500
*dc to 12.4 GHz models include 26 frequencies, dc to 18 GHz models
include 42 frequencies, dc to 26.5 GHz models include 67 frequencies
(2 to 26.5 GHz).
Attenuation options
8491A/B 8493A/B 8493C
Atten options options options
Option 003 3 dB 8491x-003 8493x-003 8493C-003
Option 006 6 dB 8491x-006 8493x-006 8493C-006
Option 010 10 dB 8491x-010 8493x-010 8493C-010
Option 020 20 dB 8491x-020 8493x-020 8493C-020
Option 030 30 dB 8491x-030 8493x-030 8493C-030
Option 040 40 dB 8491x-040 8493C-040
Option 050 50 dB 8491x-050
Option 060 60 dB 8491x-060
Note: x = A or B
Attenuation accuracy:
8491A/93A 8491B/93B 8493C
dc to 12.4 GHz dc to 12.4 12.4 to 18 GHz dc to18 18 to 26.5 GHz
3 dB ±0.3 dB ±0.3 dB ±0.5 dB ±I.0 dB
6 dB ±0.3 dB ±0.3 dB ±0.4 dB ±0.6 dB
l0 dB ±0.5 dB ±0.6 dB ±0.3 dB ±0.5 dB
20 dB ±0.5 dB ±0.6 dB ±1.0 dB ±0.5 dB ±0.6 dB
30 dB ±1.0 dB ±1.0 dB ±0.7 dB ±1.0 dB
8491A only 8491B/92A only
40 dB ±1.5 dB ±1.5 dB ±1.0 dB ±1.3 dB
50 dB ±1.5 dB ±1.5 dB N/A
60 dB ±2.0 dB ±2.0 dB N/A
Specifications
Specifications describe the instruments warranted performance. Supplemental characteristics (shown in italics) are intended to provide information useful in applying the instrument
by giving typical, but non-warranted, performance parameters.
Frequency range:
8491A and 8493A, dc to 12.4 GHz
8491B, 8493B, dc to 18 GHz
8493C, dc to 26.5 GHz
6
SWR:
8491B/8493B 8493C
8491A/8493A
dc to 8 8 to 12.4 12.4 to 18
(GHz) (GHz) (GHz) dc to 8 8 to 12.4 12.4 to 26.5
3 dB 1.25 1.35 1.5 1.10 1.15 1.25
6 dB 1.2 1.3 1.5 1.10 1.15 1.27
10 dB 1.2 1.3 1.5 1.10 1.15 1.25
20 dB 1.2 1.3 1.5 1.10 1.15 1.25
30 dB 1.2 1.3 1.5 1.10 1.15 1.25
8491A/B only 8491B only
40 dB 1.2 1.3 1.5 1.10 1.15 1.25
50 dB 1.2 1.3 1.5 N/A N/A N/A
60 dB 1.2 1.3 1.5 N/A N/A N/A
Environmental
Temperature, non-operating: –55° to +85°C
Temperature, operating: 0° to +55°C
EMC: Radiated interference is within the requirements
of MIL STD 461 method RE02, VDE 0871 EN55011 and
FCC part 18
8491A 8493A 8491B 8493B 8493C
Connectors (50 Ω) Type-N
2
SMA
1
Type-N
2
SMA
1
APC-3.5
3,6,10,20 dB 30,40 dB
Dimensions Millimeters 67 X 21 40 X 13 67 X 21 40 X 13 33.8 X 8 36.8 X 8
Inches 2 7/16 X 13/16 D l 9/16 X 1/2 D 2 7/16 X 13/16 D l 9/16 X 1/2 D l 5/l6 X 5/l6 D 1 7/16 X 5/16 D
Net 110 g (4 oz) 30 g (1 oz) 110 g (4 oz) 30 g (1 oz) 8.5 g 9.4 g
Weight (0.3 oz) (0.33 oz)
Shipping 220 g (8 oz) 220 g (8 oz) 220 g (8 oz) 220 g (8 oz) 45 kg (1 Ib)
Supplemental characteristics
Temperature stability:
0.000l dB/dB/°C (all except 8493C)
0.0002 dB/dB/°C (8493C)
Maximum input power: 2 W avg., 100 W peak
3
Power sensitivity: 0.001 dB/dB/W (all except 8943)
0.001 dB/W (8493C)
7
1. As per USASI Committee C83.2 compatible with OSM, ARM, WPM, BRM, NPM, etc.
2. Mate with MIL-C-71 or MIL-C-39012 connectors.
3 At 20°C derated to l.3 W avg. at 55°C.
Attenuator sets
11581A/11582A/11583C
A calibrated set of four fixed coaxial attenuators (3, 6, 10, and 20 dB)
is available. Each set includes a calibration report certified traceable
to the National Bureau of Standards. The reports included with the
11581A, 11582A, and 11583C indicate the accuracy of measurement
and list the attenuation and reflection coefficient at each port of the
attenuator.
The set of four attenuators is furnished in a handsome walnut accessory
case. In addition to protecting the units when not in use, the case is also
a convenient storage place for the attenuators and the calibration reports.
Calibration data as described on page 4 is included with rack
attenuator set.
Ordering information
11581A (3,6,10,20 dB values 8491A)
11582A (3, 6,10,20 dB values 8491B)
11583C (3, 6, 10, 20 dB values 8493C)
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© Agilent Technologies, Inc. 2002
Printed in USA, May 30, 2002
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