Mini-Circuits RCDAT-40G-30 User's Manual

Mini-Circuits

USB / Ethernet

RoHS Compliant

See our web site for RoHS Compliance
methodologies and qualifications

Programmable Attenuator

50Ω

0.1 to 40 GHz

RCDAT-40G-30

The Big Deal

• Precision attenuation up to 40 GHz

• Fine resolution, 0.5 dB

• Fast transitions, 100 ns

• USB and Ethernet control

• Control up to 25 attenuators via a single interface
via ‘Daisy Chain’ connection

Software Package

Case Style: MS2523

Applications

• Transmission loss simulation

• 5G network infrastructure

Model No. Description Qty.

MUSB-CBL-3+ 2.6 ft. USB cable 1

Included Accessories

• Microwave point to point links

• VHF / UHF / L / S / C / X / Ku / K band testing

Product Overview

Mini-Circuits’ RCDAT-40G-30 is a precision programmable attenuator covering an extremely wide bandwidth, from

0.1 to 40 GHz. Its unique design allows attenuation settings to be programmed from 0 to 30 dB, in 1.0 dB steps
(Mode 1) and 0 to 29 dB in 0.5 dB steps (Mode 2) with monotonic attenuation change per dB, even at the highest
frequencies and attenuation settings.

The attenuator can be controlled via USB or Ethernet, allowing control directly from a PC, or remotely over a
network. Full software support is provided, including our user-friendly GUI application for Windows and a full API
with programming instructions for Windows and Linux environments (both 32-bit and 64-bit systems).

This model also includes Mini-Circuits’ novel dynamic addressing daisy-chaining interface which allows multiple
RCDAT-40G-30 attenuators to be connected together into a Master / Slave chain, with independent control of each
attenuator channel through the single USB or Ethernet connection of the master unit.

Key Features

Extremely wide bandwidth

Daisy chain control
(dynamic addressing)

USB & Ethernet control

Programmable attenuation
sweep and Hop sequences

Full software support

Trademarks: Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other countries. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Tor­valds. Mac is a registered trademark of Apple Corporation.
series attenuators are affiliated with or endorsed by the owners of the above referenced trademarks.

Mini-Circuits and the Mini-Circuits logo are registered trademarks of Scientific Components Corporation.

Feature Advantages

A single attenuator covers a diverse range of RF and microwave applications from 0.1 to 40 GHz

Simplify control software and interconnections by cascading up to twenty five modules

USB HID and Ethernet (HTTP / Telnet) interfaces provide easy compatibility with a wide range
of software setups and programming environments

The RCDAT-40G-30 can be programmed with a timed sequence of attenuation settings, to
run without any additional external control.

User friendly Windows GUI (graphical user interface) allows manual control straight out of
the box, while the comprehensive API (application programming interface) with examples
and instructions allows easy automation in most programming environments. For details and
download link see https://www.minicircuits.com/softwaredownload/patt.html

Pentium is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation.

®

www.minicircuits.com P.O. Box 350166, Brooklyn, NY 11235-0003 [phone] [e-mail]

Neither Mini-Circuits nor the Mini-Circuits RCDAT-

Re v. B
ECO-005533
RCDAT-40G-30
RAV/MCL NY
201221

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Mini-Circuits

USB / Ethernet Programmable Attenuator

RCDAT-40G-30

Electrical Specications1 at +25°C

Parameter Frequency range Conditions Min. Typ. Max. Units

Frequency range − − 0.1 − 40 GHz

8

Attenuation
range

Attenuation accuracy

Insertion Loss

Isolation In-Out 0.1 - 40 GHz Note 2 − 40 − dB
Input operating power

(RF In or RF Out ports)

IP3 Input

VSWR 0.1 - 40 GHz @ 0 - 30 dB − 1.50 − :1

Min Dwell Time

Attenuation Transition Time

Supply Voltage − via USB or serial control 4.75 5 5.25 V

DC current draw

1

Attenuator RF ports are interchangeable, and support simultaneous, bidirectional signal transmission, however the specifications are guaranteed for the RF In and

RF Out as noted on the label. There may be minor changes in performance when injecting signals to the RF Out port.

2

Isolation is defined as max attenuation plus insertion loss; this is the path loss through the attenuator when initially powered up. After a brief delay (~0.5 sec typically) the
attenuator will revert to a user defined “power-up” state (either max attenuation or a pre-set value).

3

Total operating input power on RF In or RF Out ports to bring the attenuator to about 0.1dB compression.

4

Tested with 1 MHz offset between signals.

5

Minimum Dwell Time is the time the RCDAT will take to respond to a command to change attenuation states without communication delays. In PC control mode

add communication delays (on the order of ms for USB) to get actual response time.

6

Attenuation Transition Time is specified as the time between starting to change the attenuation state and settling on the requested attenuation state.

7

DC current consumption shown for a single attenuator, without any slaves connected in series.

8

Attenuation range in Mode 1 operation is 30 dB with 1 dB step.

9

Attenuation range in Mode 2 operation is 29 dB with 0.5 dB step.

Mode 1

9

Mode 2

3

4

5

6

7

0.1 - 40 GHz

0.1 - 8 GHz

8 - 16 GHz

16 - 24 GHz

24 - 32 GHz

32 - 40 GHz

0.1 - 8 GHz

8 - 16 GHz − 9.0 11.0

16 - 24 GHz 12.0 15.0

24 - 32 GHz − 14.0 16.0

32 - 40 GHz − 14.0 16.0

0.1 - 40 GHz @ 0 - 30 dB − − 24 dBm

0.1 - 40 GHz

0.1 - 40 GHz High speed mode − 600 − µs

0.1 - 40 GHz − − 100 − ns

− Ethernet Enabled − 400 450

− Ethernet Disabled 250 300

1 dB step

0.5 dB step 29

@ 0.5 - 8 dB − ±0.5 −

@ 8.5 - 30 dB − ±1.0 −

@ 0.5 - 8 dB − ±0.5 −

@ 8.5 - 30 dB − ±1.0 −

@ 0.5 - 8 dB − ±1.0 −

@ 8.5 - 30 dB − ±1.5 −

@ 0.5 - 8 dB − ±1.0 −

@ 8.5 - 30 dB − ±2.0 −

@ 0.5 - 8 dB − ±1.0 −

@ 8.5 - 30 dB − ±1.5 −

@ 0 dB

@ 0 dB setting

(PIN=+5 dBm)

0 −

− 6.0 8.0

− +38 − dBm

30

dB

dB

dB

mA

Absolute Maximum Ratings

Operating Temperature 0°C to 50°C

Storage Temperature -20°C to 85°C

V

Max. 6V

USB

Total RF power for RF In & RF Out +35 dBm

DC voltage at RF port +25V

Permanent damage may occur if any of these limits are exceeded.
Operating in the range between operating power limits and absolute
maximum ratings for extended periods of time may result in reduced
life and reliability.

www.minicircuits.com P.O. Box 350166, Brooklyn, NY 11235-0003 [phone] [e-mail]

Connections

RF In (2.92mm female)

RF Out (2.92mm female)

USB (USB type Mini-B female)

Network (Ethernet/LAN) (RJ45 socket)

Serial Control Out (10 Pin Digital Snap Fit female)

Serial Control In (10 Pin Digital Snap Fit female)

8

Mating connector is Hirose ST40X-10S-CV(30)

®

8

8

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Mini-Circuits

USB / Ethernet Programmable Attenuator

RCDAT response to communication interrupt

YES

RCDAT-40G-30

RCDAT will shut down.

Once power is reconnected

it will restart according to
the conditions previously

defined by user

Start RCDAT in

either USB or

Ethernet control

Communication is

interrupted*

* Can be due to a software glitch in the controlling PC or a physical

disconnect of the control lines

Block Diagram

USB

MICROCONTROLLER

RJ45

(Ethernet)

RF Out

50Ω

MICROCONTROLLER

Control
Control

Control

Digital Step

Attenuator

Is power supply

interrupted?

NO

Serial

Ctrl Out

Serial
Ctrl In

RF In

50Ω

RCDAT will maintain last

state set until

communication is

reestablished via either

control method

Simultaneous, bidirectional RF signal transmission with symmetrical performance

For ethernet control shielded ethernet cable is recommended

®

www.minicircuits.com P.O. Box 350166, Brooklyn, NY 11235-0003 [phone] [e-mail]

Page 3 of 13

Mini-Circuits

USB / Ethernet Programmable Attenuator

RCDAT-40G-30

Connecting multiple modules (Daisy Chain)

The RCDAT-40G-30 is designed to connect up to 25 modules in series (Daisy chain) using dynamic addressing, meaning there is no
need to specifically set the address of the modules, the addresses will be set automatically as part of establishing the communications
with the PC. The module connected to the PC USB port or LAN connection will be assigned address 0 (Master), the first module
connected to it will get address 1(slave) and subsequent modules incrementing up to address 24 (slave).

USB control

(limited to 500mA max)

USB Serial Ctrl In Serial Ctrl Out

RCDAT-40G-30 (Module 0)

RF Connectors

Master

USB Serial Ctrl In Serial Ctrl Out

RCDAT-40G-30 (Module 1)

RF Connectors

Slave 1

power adaptor

USB Serial Ctrl In Serial Ctrl Out

RCDAT-40G-30 (Module 2)

RF Connectors

Slave 2

Additional power supplies need to
be connected every two modules if
Ethernet is enabled or every three
modules if Ethernet is disabled.

USB Serial Ctrl In Serial Ctrl Out

RCDAT-40G-30 (Module 24)

RF Connectors

Slave 24

Connections between modules will be made using the serial in/out ports with the module connected to the PC as a master and all
other as slave modules. All control will be through the master module (address zero) which is the only one communicating with the
PC (via USB or Ethernet). Serial control out port of each module should be connected to the serial control in port of the next module.
Power can be supplied from the PC via the master module or from additional power supplies connected to the USB ports of slave units.

Note that with Ethernet enabled each unit will draw up to 450 mA so to connect three units in series you will need to supply 1350mA,
thus it is recommended to turn off the Ethernet circuitry in the slave units to reduce the power requirements. Connecting an additional
power supply will automatically cut off power draw from the serial control in port for the module connected.

The Serial master/slave bus allows connecting modules of different types to the same daisy chain as long as all support Mini-Circuits
dynamic addressing setup. To add a new module to the set up simply connect the module to the setup and refresh the address listing,
no need to reset any of the existing modules or assign addresses manually.

Note: Different module types may have different current consumption which will change the number of units which can be connected
before additional power supply is needed.

®

www.minicircuits.com P.O. Box 350166, Brooklyn, NY 11235-0003 [phone] [e-mail]

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