ATTENUATORS

INTRODUCTION
An Attenuator is a network designed to introduce a known amount of loss when functioning between two resistive impedances: Zin = Z1 and Zout = Z2. Z1 and Z2 are defined to be terminal impedances to which the attenuator is connected.

INTRODUCTION
If Z1 = Z2, the resulting matched attenuator design is said to be symmetrical, or to exhibit network symmetry. Matched Attenuator Networks may be either balanced or unbalanced (with respect to ground), depending on the exact nature of the source impedance and the load impedance.

A powerful advantage of an attenuator is since it is made from non-inductive resistors, the attenuator is able to change a source or load, which might be reactive, into one which is precisely known and resistive. This power reduction is achieved by the attenuator without introducing distortion.

 Applications: In test instruments --- CRO, MMs, Signal generators and analyzers between source and amplifier & amplifier and load
Types: Analog --- continuously varying Digital/stepped --- varying in steps Active or/and passive components/devices can be used to construct attenuators

Basics
Attenuation is measured as a ratio of the incident signal and the signal passing through the barrier.
Attenuation, in dB = 20 log (Vin/Vout) Potential Divider (L-type attenuator) R1 Vin R2 Vout in dB = 20 log (1+R1/R2) No impedance matching

50 Source Attenuator 50 Load

50

50

Impedance matching of attenuator with source and load

Characteristic (or image) resistance:

Ro = RinsRino
where Rins is the input resistance of the attenuator with output terminals shorted and Rino is the input resistance of the attenuator with output terminals opened.

Symmetrical T Attenuator
R1 R2 If R3 = R1, this is called symmetrical T attenuator. Let R2 = mR1. Then Ro = R1 (1+2m) If we connect a load of value Ro to this attenuator, then attenuation will be given by = [(1 + m + 1+2m ) / m] R3

Alternately, an attenuator can be designed for given Ro and by the following equations.
R1 = [( - 1) / ( + 1)] Ro R2 = [2 / (2 - 1)] Ro Example Design a 20 dB 50 ohms T attenuator. Solution Here = 10 and Ro = 50 ohms. From the above equations, we get R1 = 40.9 ohms and R2 = 10.1 ohms

Cascading T Attenuators
As increases, the value of R2 decreases and may become impracticably small. Since input and output resistances of these attenuators are same, it is possible to cascade a number of such attenuators to increase the overall attenuation.
409 818
818 409

101

101

101

All values in ohms

60 dB 500 ohms attenuator using 3 sections of 20 dB T section attenuators

Symmetrical Attenuator
R1 R2 R2

Let R2 = mR1. Then Ro = R1 m/(1+2m) If we connect a load of value Ro to this attenuator, then attenuation will be given by = [(1 + m + 1+2m ) / m]

Alternately, an attenuator can be designed for given Ro and by the following equations.

R1 = [(2 - 1) / 2] Ro

R2 = [( + 1) / ( - 1)] Ro Cascading of section networks can be done to achieve higher attenuation levels.

The Bridged T Attenuator

R3 R1 R2 R1

Ro = R1 = (R1 / R2) + 1 It is assumed that R12 = R2 . R3. Design Equations R1 = Ro, R2 = Ro / ( - 1), Note that R1 is independent of . R3 = ( - 1) Ro

Variable Attenuator
R3 R1 R2 R1

Variable attenuation levels keeping Ro constant. By varying resistors in T or section attenuators, we can get continuously varying attenuators. But all the three resistors need to change simultaneously. This may not be an easy proposition. In bridged T attenuator, R1 is independent of attenuation, R2 decreases and R3 increases with attenuation. Therefore, R1 can be fixed equal to the value of characteristic resistance. Resistors R2 and R3 can be ganged together to vary them simultaneously

Stepped Attenuator
Input

RD RC RB RA

4 2
3

Output

Stepped attenuator

1 2 3 4 R1 R1 R2 Input 1 4 2 3

1 2 3 4 R3 R3 R4

All the switches are ganged

Output 1 34 2

Stepped attenuator

Ex.:

Find out the attenuation and characteristic resistance of given attenuator network. 10K
Vin

20K

Vout

Solution:
in dB = 20 log (1+R1/R2) = 3.52 Ro = RinsRino = 8.16K

Padding
In many applications, the source resistance may not match with the load. Attenuators will see different resistances at the input and output. It is possible to design an attenuator, to be inserted between source and load, to provide proper matching with the load. Such a use of attenuator is called as padding a source.

Example A signal source with an unknown resistance is to be interfaced with a 600 ohms system using a 12 dB 600 ohms pad. Find out the output resistance for the extreme values of source resistance. Solution Attenuator resistance and attenuation = 4 and Ro = 600 ohms. Rout for Rs between zero and infinite, is 528 and 678 ohms.