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
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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.
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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.
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