Attenuator Cascaded Connection
$begingroup$
PAT1220-C-10DB-T5 is a 10dB attenuator. (This chip is just an example, it could be any other component as well).
Can I simply connect 3 of them in series in a PCB design to make my cheap 30dB attenuator?
I have a few attenuator modules with an SMA connector. One of them is 20dB while others are 6dB and 10dB. Can I again connect them in series to get higher attenuation?
rf-power electronics
edited 2 days ago
Mike Waters♦
3,8162635
asked 2 days ago
nandflash1nandflash1
252
New contributor
nandflash1 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
PAT1220-C-10DB-T5 is a 10dB attenuator. (This chip is just an example, it could be any other component as well).
Can I simply connect 3 of them in series in a PCB design to make my cheap 30dB attenuator?
I have a few attenuator modules with an SMA connector. One of them is 20dB while others are 6dB and 10dB. Can I again connect them in series to get higher attenuation?
rf-power electronics
edited 2 days ago
Mike Waters♦
3,8162635
asked 2 days ago
nandflash1nandflash1
252
New contributor
nandflash1 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
$endgroup$
1
$begingroup$
Be aware that as you get to >> 40 dB attention, leakage around the components will start to exceed the attenuated signal. You start to need to put each stage in a separate shielded can or cavity.
$endgroup$
– tomnexus
2 days ago
$begingroup$
Thank you. How can i shield in such case.
$endgroup$
– nandflash1
2 days ago
1
$begingroup$
@nandflash1 Please ask about the shielding in a new question on electronicsSE, including an image of the PCB. Not only is printed circuit board design off-topic for this site, but you are likely to get a better answer there. :-)
$endgroup$
– Mike Waters♦
2 days ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
PAT1220-C-10DB-T5 is a 10dB attenuator. (This chip is just an example, it could be any other component as well).
Can I simply connect 3 of them in series in a PCB design to make my cheap 30dB attenuator?
I have a few attenuator modules with an SMA connector. One of them is 20dB while others are 6dB and 10dB. Can I again connect them in series to get higher attenuation?
rf-power electronics
edited 2 days ago
Mike Waters♦
3,8162635
asked 2 days ago
nandflash1nandflash1
252
New contributor
nandflash1 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
$endgroup$
PAT1220-C-10DB-T5 is a 10dB attenuator. (This chip is just an example, it could be any other component as well).
Can I simply connect 3 of them in series in a PCB design to make my cheap 30dB attenuator?
I have a few attenuator modules with an SMA connector. One of them is 20dB while others are 6dB and 10dB. Can I again connect them in series to get higher attenuation?
rf-power electronics
rf-power electronics
edited 2 days ago
Mike Waters♦
3,8162635
asked 2 days ago
nandflash1nandflash1
252
New contributor
nandflash1 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 2 days ago
Mike Waters♦
3,8162635
asked 2 days ago
nandflash1nandflash1
252
New contributor
nandflash1 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 2 days ago
Mike Waters♦
3,8162635
edited 2 days ago
Mike Waters♦
3,8162635
edited 2 days ago
Mike Waters♦
3,8162635
3,8162635
asked 2 days ago
nandflash1nandflash1
252
New contributor
nandflash1 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 2 days ago
nandflash1nandflash1
252
asked 2 days ago
nandflash1nandflash1
252
252
New contributor
nandflash1 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
nandflash1 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
nandflash1 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
1
$begingroup$
Be aware that as you get to >> 40 dB attention, leakage around the components will start to exceed the attenuated signal. You start to need to put each stage in a separate shielded can or cavity.
$endgroup$
– tomnexus
2 days ago
$begingroup$
Thank you. How can i shield in such case.
$endgroup$
– nandflash1
2 days ago
1
$begingroup$
@nandflash1 Please ask about the shielding in a new question on electronicsSE, including an image of the PCB. Not only is printed circuit board design off-topic for this site, but you are likely to get a better answer there. :-)
$endgroup$
– Mike Waters♦
2 days ago
add a comment |
1
$begingroup$
Be aware that as you get to >> 40 dB attention, leakage around the components will start to exceed the attenuated signal. You start to need to put each stage in a separate shielded can or cavity.
$endgroup$
– tomnexus
2 days ago
$begingroup$
Thank you. How can i shield in such case.
$endgroup$
– nandflash1
2 days ago
1
$begingroup$
@nandflash1 Please ask about the shielding in a new question on electronicsSE, including an image of the PCB. Not only is printed circuit board design off-topic for this site, but you are likely to get a better answer there. :-)
$endgroup$
– Mike Waters♦
2 days ago
1
1
$begingroup$
Be aware that as you get to >> 40 dB attention, leakage around the components will start to exceed the attenuated signal. You start to need to put each stage in a separate shielded can or cavity.
$endgroup$
– tomnexus
2 days ago
$begingroup$
Be aware that as you get to >> 40 dB attention, leakage around the components will start to exceed the attenuated signal. You start to need to put each stage in a separate shielded can or cavity.
$endgroup$
– tomnexus
2 days ago
$begingroup$
Thank you. How can i shield in such case.
$endgroup$
– nandflash1
2 days ago
$begingroup$
Thank you. How can i shield in such case.
$endgroup$
– nandflash1
2 days ago
1
1
$begingroup$
@nandflash1 Please ask about the shielding in a new question on electronicsSE, including an image of the PCB. Not only is printed circuit board design off-topic for this site, but you are likely to get a better answer there. :-)
$endgroup$
– Mike Waters♦
2 days ago
$begingroup$
@nandflash1 Please ask about the shielding in a new question on electronicsSE, including an image of the PCB. Not only is printed circuit board design off-topic for this site, but you are likely to get a better answer there. :-)
$endgroup$
– Mike Waters♦
2 days ago
add a comment |
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
Yes, you can cascade attenuators to realize more attenuation. Attenuation (in dB) will increase algebraically, as long as all individual attenuators are designed to operate at the same impedance and they are operating at that impedance. For example, mixing 75$Omega$ and 50$Omega$ attenuators may produce unexpected results. Same for using terminators in a system that doesn't terminate in the appropriate characteristic impedance.
Depending on what you're doing, be aware of the amount of power that each attenuator can dissipate. Putting 1W into a 30dB attenuator means only 1mW comes out - the attenuator has to dissipate the rest!
answered 2 days ago
Brian K1LIBrian K1LI
1,851215
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Thank you. I am aware of the power rating of components.
$endgroup$
– nandflash1
2 days ago
add a comment |
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1 Answer
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$begingroup$
Yes, you can cascade attenuators to realize more attenuation. Attenuation (in dB) will increase algebraically, as long as all individual attenuators are designed to operate at the same impedance and they are operating at that impedance. For example, mixing 75$Omega$ and 50$Omega$ attenuators may produce unexpected results. Same for using terminators in a system that doesn't terminate in the appropriate characteristic impedance.
Depending on what you're doing, be aware of the amount of power that each attenuator can dissipate. Putting 1W into a 30dB attenuator means only 1mW comes out - the attenuator has to dissipate the rest!
answered 2 days ago
Brian K1LIBrian K1LI
1,851215
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Thank you. I am aware of the power rating of components.
$endgroup$
– nandflash1
2 days ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Yes, you can cascade attenuators to realize more attenuation. Attenuation (in dB) will increase algebraically, as long as all individual attenuators are designed to operate at the same impedance and they are operating at that impedance. For example, mixing 75$Omega$ and 50$Omega$ attenuators may produce unexpected results. Same for using terminators in a system that doesn't terminate in the appropriate characteristic impedance.
Depending on what you're doing, be aware of the amount of power that each attenuator can dissipate. Putting 1W into a 30dB attenuator means only 1mW comes out - the attenuator has to dissipate the rest!
answered 2 days ago
Brian K1LIBrian K1LI
1,851215
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Thank you. I am aware of the power rating of components.
$endgroup$
– nandflash1
2 days ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Yes, you can cascade attenuators to realize more attenuation. Attenuation (in dB) will increase algebraically, as long as all individual attenuators are designed to operate at the same impedance and they are operating at that impedance. For example, mixing 75$Omega$ and 50$Omega$ attenuators may produce unexpected results. Same for using terminators in a system that doesn't terminate in the appropriate characteristic impedance.
Depending on what you're doing, be aware of the amount of power that each attenuator can dissipate. Putting 1W into a 30dB attenuator means only 1mW comes out - the attenuator has to dissipate the rest!
answered 2 days ago
Brian K1LIBrian K1LI
1,851215
$endgroup$
Yes, you can cascade attenuators to realize more attenuation. Attenuation (in dB) will increase algebraically, as long as all individual attenuators are designed to operate at the same impedance and they are operating at that impedance. For example, mixing 75$Omega$ and 50$Omega$ attenuators may produce unexpected results. Same for using terminators in a system that doesn't terminate in the appropriate characteristic impedance.
Depending on what you're doing, be aware of the amount of power that each attenuator can dissipate. Putting 1W into a 30dB attenuator means only 1mW comes out - the attenuator has to dissipate the rest!
answered 2 days ago
Brian K1LIBrian K1LI
1,851215
answered 2 days ago
Brian K1LIBrian K1LI
1,851215
answered 2 days ago
Brian K1LIBrian K1LI
1,851215
answered 2 days ago
Brian K1LIBrian K1LI
1,851215
1,851215
$begingroup$
Thank you. I am aware of the power rating of components.
$endgroup$
– nandflash1
2 days ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Thank you. I am aware of the power rating of components.
$endgroup$
– nandflash1
2 days ago
$begingroup$
Thank you. I am aware of the power rating of components.
$endgroup$
– nandflash1
2 days ago
$begingroup$
Thank you. I am aware of the power rating of components.
$endgroup$
– nandflash1
2 days ago
add a comment |
nandflash1 is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
nandflash1 is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
nandflash1 is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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1
$begingroup$
Be aware that as you get to >> 40 dB attention, leakage around the components will start to exceed the attenuated signal. You start to need to put each stage in a separate shielded can or cavity.
$endgroup$
– tomnexus
2 days ago
$begingroup$
Thank you. How can i shield in such case.
$endgroup$
– nandflash1
2 days ago
1
$begingroup$
@nandflash1 Please ask about the shielding in a new question on electronicsSE, including an image of the PCB. Not only is printed circuit board design off-topic for this site, but you are likely to get a better answer there. :-)
$endgroup$
– Mike Waters♦
2 days ago