Variable Attenuators
Models 115A thru 119A
Manual Step Attenuators
Choice of Type N or SMA Connectors
Specifications
NOMINAL IMPEDANCE:
50
Ω
FREQUENCY RANGE (add Model No. Prefix to
Designate Range):
All Models:
dc to 4.0 GHz (AC)
dc to 18.0 GHz (AF)
STANDARD INCREMENTAL ATTENUATION RANGE:
Model 115A:
0 to 9 dB in 1 dB steps
Model 116A:
0 to 60 dB in 10 dB steps
Model 117A:
0 to 69 dB in 1 dB steps
Model 118A:
0 to 90 dB in 10 dB steps
Model 119A:
0 to 99 dB in 1 dB steps
MAXIMUM SWR (Models 117A & 119A):
Frequency
Range (GHz)
dc - 4
4 - 12.4
12.4 - 18.0
117A & 119A
1.35
1.50
1.70
115A, 116A
& 118A
1.25
1.60
1.60
dc to 18.0 GHz
2 Watt
Features
o
Safety Mechanical Stop
- A mechanical stop between
maximum and 0 attenuation positions on all models
prevents damage to the mechanical drive as well as
preventing large power changes that could cause dam-
age to sensitive equipment.
o
Choice of Attenuation Ranges
- Five standard atten-
uation ranges are available: 0-9 dB, 0-69 dB, and 0-99
dB in 1 dB steps, and 0-60 dB and 0-90 dB in 10 dB
steps.
o
Broadband
- All models are available in a choice of 2
frequency ranges: dc-4 and dc-18 GHz.
o
Right-Angle
Drive
-
The center conductor of the connector is perpendicular
to the control shaft, offering greater flexibility of applica-
tions: panel mounting or bench setup. All models are
bidirectional.
o
Custom Configurations Available Upon Request.
o
Low Deviation from Nominal Value
- These Mini Step
Attenuators have flat frequency response over speci-
fied bands and excellent attenuation accuracy.
Deviation from nominal value is low at all settings.
o
Excellent Repeatability and Long Life Switch
-
Repeatability is better than 0.05 dB to 18.0 GHz for
over 1,000,000 switchings of the drum.
POWER RATING:
2 watts
average
to 25°C ambient
temperature, derated linearly to 1 watt @ 54°C. 200 watts
peak
(5
μsec
pulse width; 0.5% duty cycle)
POWER COEFFICIENT:
< 0.005/dB/dB/watt
TEMPERATURE COEFFICIENT:
< 0.0004/dB/dB/°C
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
Operating:
0°C to +54°C
Nonoperating: -54°C to +54°C
INCREMENTAL PHASE SHIFT:
~0.5° per dB x f(GHz)
REPEATABILITY:
Better than 0.05 dB across frequency
band for switch life.
SWITCH LIFE:
Over 1,000,000 steps
INDEXING:
36°
MAXIMUM INSERTION LOSS (dB):
Model
Number
115A
116A
117A
118A
119A
CONN
Type
N
SMA
N
SMA
N
SMA
N
SMA
N
SMA
Frequency Range (GHz)
dc-4
dc-18
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.4
0.5
0.5
0.6
0.7
1.0
0.7
1.0
1.2
1.5
0.8
1.0
1.2
1.5
Description
The Aeroflex / Weinschel Models 115A through 119A are a
series of broadband, step attenuators in a right-angle drive
configuration, where the center conductor of the connector
is perpendicular to the control shaft. They feature excellent
performance characteristics suitable for use in high reliabil-
ity 50 ohm systems and applications requiring extra-small
components for the precision control of power in discrete
steps. They can be used either as input or output attenua-
tors in signal sources, receivers, field strength meters,
spectrum analyzers, etc.
73
5305 Spectrum Drive, Frederick, MD 21703-7362 TEL: 301-846-9222, 800-638-2048 Fax: 301-846-9116
web: www.aeroflex-weinschel.com email: weinschel-sales@aeroflex.com
Revision Date: 12/29/08
Variable Attenuators
Specifications (Con’t):
TEST DATA:
Insertion Loss data is supplied as follows.
Other test data can be supplied at additional cost.
dc to 4 GHz:
At 50 MHz and 4 GHz
dc to 18 GHz:
At 50 MHz, 4, 8, 12 and 18 GHz
RELATIVE HUMIDITY:
95%
ALTITUDE:
to 10,000 ft.
SHOCK (non-operating):
8 g's, 100 ms, 1/2 sine
DRUM CONFIGURATIONS:
Single Drum:
115A, 116A, 118A
Dual Drum:
117A, 119A
VIBRATION (non-operating):
5 to 8 cps, 0.20 inch double amplitude
8 to 15 cps, 0.10 inch double amplitude
15 to 55 cps, 0.36 inch double amplitude
Supported rigidly front and back
SHAFT ROTATION:
Clockwise for increasing attenuation
CONSTRUCTION:
Materials:
Housing: aluminum alloy, clear irridite,
MIL-C-5541.
Dust Cover: Painted aluminum alloy
Drum:
Aluminum alloy
Shaft:
Passivated stainless steel
Connector:
Stainless steel and beryllium
copper contacts.
CONNECTOR:
SMA and Type N connectors per MIL-STD-
348 interface dimensions - mate nondestructively with
MIL-C-39012 connector. Connector sex is optional as fol-
lows:
Type/Description
Connector Options
1
SMA, Female
2
SMA, Male
3
Type N, Female
4
Type N, Male
WEIGHT:
115A
340 g (12 oz)
116A
340 g (12 oz)
117A
760 g (27 oz)
118A
450 g (16 oz)
119A
880 g (31 oz)
INCREMENTAL INSERTION LOSS (+dB):
Model
Number
115A
117A
dB
Range
1-9
1-9
10-19
20-29
30-39
40-49
50-59
60-69
1-9
10-19
20-29
30-39
40-49
50-59
60-69
70-79
80-89
90-99
10
20
30
40
50
60
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
Frequency Range (GHz)
dc-4
dc-18
0.3
0.3
0.7
0.9
1.0
1.1
1.2
1.3
0.3
0.7
0.9
1.0
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
1.6
0.3
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.7
0.8
0.3
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.7
0.8
0.9
1.0
1.2
0.5
0.5
1.0
1.2
1.4
1.5
1.7
1.9
0.5
1.0
1.2
1.4
1.5
1.7
1.9
2.1
2.3
2.5
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.2
1.5
1.8
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.2
1.5
1.8
2.1
2.3
2.5
119A
116A
118A
MODEL NUMBER DESCRIPTION:
Example:
AC116A - XX - XX
Frequency
Range
(GHz)
Basic
Model
Number
Maximum
Attenuation
Value (dB)
Connector Options*
1st digit is J1 side (front)
2nd digit is J2 side (rear)
74
5305 Spectrum Drive, Frederick, MD 21703-7362 TEL: 301-846-9222, 800-638-2048 Fax: 301-846-9116
web: www.aeroflex-weinschel.com email: weinschel-sales@aeroflex.com
Revision Date: 12/29/08
Variable Attenuators
PHYSICAL DIMENSIONS:
Model No.
119A
118A
117A
116A
115A
DIM A
58.7 (2.31)
29.0 (1.14)
54.0 (2.11)
23.9 (0.94)
23.9 (0.94)
DIM B
111.3 (4.38)
57.7 (2.27)
101.1 (3.98)
47.5 (1.87)
47.5 (1.87)
CONN Type
Type N, Male
Type N, Female
SMA, Male
SMA, Female
DIM C
20.6 (0.81)
18.3 (0.72)
9.4 (0.37)
7.9 (0.31)
NOTE:
All dimensions are given in mm (inches) and are maximum, unless otherwise specified.
75
5305 Spectrum Drive, Frederick, MD 21703-7362 TEL: 301-846-9222, 800-638-2048 Fax: 301-846-9116
web: www.aeroflex-weinschel.com email: weinschel-sales@aeroflex.com
Revision Date: 12/29/08
