Except for the most basic designs, system clock rates are inexorably creeping upward across a wide range of applications, from 5G telephony to automotive advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), medical, industrial, and mil/aero systems. As frequencies rise into the GHz range, the need for impedance control to minimize signal attenuation and protect signal integrity gets […]
attenuator
When to filter, attenuate, and equalize signals
Signal chain management is important in various applications like medical imaging, 5G communications, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), and a range of consumer, industrial, and military devices. Filters, attenuators, and equalizers are some of the tools designers have available to optimize signal chain operation. This FAQ begins by looking briefly at the definition of decibels […]
Optical attenuators and loopbacks, what’s the difference?
Fiber optic attenuators (optical attenuators) are used to reduce or control the energy of optical signals. They are used in optical communications systems to protect sensitive receivers or to modulate signals and for engineering evaluation, testing, and system validation. This FAQ reviews the basic operation of optical attenuators, looks at practical applications for optical attenuators, […]
Why use attenuators in quantum computers?
Quantum computers are cryogenically cooled because their quantum bits (qubits) are extremely delicate and sensitive to disruptions from even minute amounts of thermal noise, such as Johnson-Nyquist (J-N) noise. J-N noise is generated by the thermal agitation of electrons, regardless of any applied voltage, when the conductor is at equilibrium. Even small amounts of J-N […]
What kinds of attenuators are there?
Attenuators are often defined as electronic devices that reduce the power of a signal without introducing significant distortion. While that’s not incorrect, it’s also not complete. For example, optical attenuators can be based on fixed or variable neutral density (ND) filters and are largely mechanical constructions. This FAQ considers basic types of electronic attenuators. Other […]
What’s a logarithmic resistor ladder good for?
A logarithmic resistor ladder consists of a resistor string and switches designed to attenuate a signal. The state of the switches can be considered to represent a digital code proportional to the logarithm of the attenuation ratio. Logarithmic attenuation is useful when a large dynamic range is needed. Audio volume control and fading/balancing audio signals […]
Fixed attenuator series operates DC – 18 GHz
The model series 352-367-XXX* from Broadwave Technologies is a line of 50 Ω fixed attenuators operating at DC – 18 GHz. These attenuators are rated 2-Watts average power with 1.40:1 maximum VSWR. Attenuation values are 1 – 60 dB in 1 dB increments, the operating temperature range is -55°C to +125°C and the RF connectors […]
Synchronizer, attenuators added to RF timing portfolio for 4G/5G radio
Renesas Electronics Corporation expanded its communication timing portfolio with three new low phase noise, high-frequency RF timing solutions for 4G and 5G radio, and two new Winning Combinations to address the need for full signal chain solutions. The new 8V19N850 radio synchronizer and 8V19N880, 8V19N882 JESD204B/C clock jitter attenuators deliver ITU-T compliant network clock synchronization, […]
Cinch Connectivity Solutions to handle space-qualified QPS coaxial attenuators
The new Midwest Microwave line of space qualified QPS coaxial attenuators are specifically designed for signal processing and communications applications in satellite payload and ground testing equipment used in both the traditional GEO, as well as the rapidly growing LEO space markets. These attenuators are designed and manufactured using the same robust and high-reliability design […]
Digital Step Attenuators support 5G frequency demands
pSemi Corporation, a Murata company focused on semiconductor integration, announces the expansion of its digital step attenuator (DSA) portfolio with two new high-performance DSAs, PE43610 and PE43614. Featuring industry-leading attenuation accuracy, the PE43610 and PE43614 DSAs support the entire 9 kHz–13 GHz and 9 kHz–45 GHz frequency ranges, respectively. Ideal for 5G test-and-measurement applications, these DSAs exemplify pSemi’s […]
