An Introduction To Programmable Attenuator Systems

Attenuators are electrical components designed to reduce the amplitude of a signal passing through it without significantly degrading the integrity of that signal. A programmable or step attenuator is externally controlled with maximum attenuation ranges from 0 dB to 127 dB, in steps as small as 0.1 dB. This application note provides an overview of the key components in a programmable attenuator system, discusses the best choices for general applications, and presents several JFW programmable attenuators for consideration. Download the full paper for more information.