News | May 6, 2025

Ranatec Launches 16-Channel RF Attenuator Box

Ranatec, a part of Qamcom Group and progressive creator of test and measurement equipment for RF and microwave applications, announced today its 16 channel Attenuator Box. With 16 individual digitally controlled attenuators for high dynamic signal level adjustment, the Attenuator Box is ideal for transmission loss simulation, signal fading and MIMO measurements.

Seamless Integration with Ranatec Systems
It can be combined with Ranatec Butler Matrices, RI 3041 and RI 3101, or Ranatec Switching Boxes and can be used for any type of automized test set-up. It’s controlled via Ethernet by different APIs or Web-interface

Advanced Control Options for Flexibility
“The new Attenuator Box is built on Ranatec’s modular instrument platform, offering optimal flexibility to add more attenuators, switches, interfaces, and more – developed to meet specific testing needs”, says Charlotte Ornstein at Ranatec.

The 16 channel Attenuator Box complements Ranatec’s 4 channel RF2025 Attenuator Box by adding 12 more attenuators in the same box. All technical data are the same except the number of channels. This latest product from Ranatec is empowering electronics manufacturers to perform enhanced testing for creating market leading products.

“As Ranatec continues to innovate and provide the best advancements to support our global network of customer and partners, the 16 channel Attenuator Box is a valuable addition to our broad portfolio of test and measurement products.”

Overview
The 16 channel Attenuator Box is a high performance, digitally controlled, 16-channel RF attenuator system. It is intended for any automated RF testing where high accuracy signal power control is needed. The 16 channel Attenuator Box offers exceptional attenuation accuracy, dynamic range and speed.

  • High performance achieved through precision attenuator design, with extensive factory calibration procedures.
  • Nominal setting done with 1 dB granularity – actual attenuation fed back from attenuator.
  • Frequency range up to 6 GHz yields knowledge of attenuation within +/-0.25 dB.

Ideal Applications Across Wireless Testing
The 16 channel Attenuator Box is developed for any testing where accurate RF power control is needed over a wide dynamic range. Typical applications include transmitter, receiver as well as system level testing of mobile, WLAN and Bluetooth devices:

  • During all phases of product development, for (pre-) conformance testing/homologation, and production testing / Quality assurance

Features

  • 16 individually controlled RF channels
  • Attenuation setting: Web-interface / API
  • 100 MHz to 8 GHz frequency range
  • Attenuation steps of 1 dB
  • Each channel individually calibrated
  • 0.5 dB attenuation accuracy (to 6 GHz)
  • 2 W maximum input power
  • 19” rack mountable, 3U height

Control Options

  • Web interface for manual operations
  • Textual (SCPI-like) API
  • Binary API

Specifications

Supply voltage

100-240 VAC, 50/60 Hz

Operating frequency

100 MHz - 8 GHz

Impedance

50 Ohm

Return loss

>10 dB (any port)

Insertion loss

7.5 dB (typical)

Attenuation step size

1 dB

Attenuation accuracy

0.5 dB (up to 6 GHz)

2 dB (6 to 8 GHz)

Attenuation range

6-96 dB @ 0.1-4 GHz

8-90 dB @ 4-6 GHz

12-80 dB @ 6-7 GHz

12-60 dB @ 7-8 GHz

X-channel isolation

>100 dB

Dimensions

450x133x320 mm

Connectors

50 ohm SMA(F)

Based on renowned quality and engineering, Ranatec’s competitive portfolio enables customers to test their latest, cutting-edge wireless equipment with superior proficiency – enabling electronics manufacturers to create and secure value-added product offerings and capture a competitive edge and significant share of the global marketplace.

About Ranatec AB
A part of the Qamcom Group, Ranatec is progressive creator within signal conditioning products to test, measure, filter, or block signals. Together with our global and leading clients and partners, we aim to make them and their products better through inventive solutions for design verification, product certification, production testing and expert trouble shooting. We provide the newest advancements in test design and satisfy the highest demands for performance. Off-the-shelf or full customization, Ranatec offers innovative solutions for Wireless Test Automation, RF/EMC Shielding, and Radar Testing. ISO9001:2015 certified, Ranatec is compliant with the most stringent ISO requirements. For more information, visit ranatec.com.

Source: Ranatec AB