Machines | #91: Basic RF Attenuators - Design, Construction, Testing - PI and T style - A Tutorial
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This video describes the design, construction and testing of a basic RF attenuator. The popular PI and T style attenuators are discussed. An example of a 20dB, or 10X, PI attenuator is designed and constructed, and then tested using a spectrum analyzer with tracking generator. The construction technique shown minimized parasitic inductance of the components, thus increasing the usable bandwidth of the attenuator. A copy of the notes in the video can be found here: http://www.qsl.net/w/w2aew//youtube/RF_Attenuators.pdf
Comments
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Alan, I can't tell from the video. Is that copper cladding on a glass substrate? I have a Radio Shack double clad board but it looks like copper over phenolic. I doubt it matters at the frequencies I'm using it at but I would like to make sure before a I commit a couple of connectors to building up a few attenuators. Rather do it right the first time. Btw my call is N1ABE.
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ive this sussed out thank you but there is one question still remains if i had a 27db 5 watt pi attenuator an wanted to shift it to a 10 watt 30 db pi attenuator must my R1 AND R3 risistor increase and alter not only in value but double up in wattage ??
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So clear and simple, I think I can do it. I need to cover 0-6ghz at 3watt 10 db 50ohms. how do I alter your example? eg instead of smd resistors do I use 2w resistors (old school) and how do i cover the 6ghz extent? Note I am adding this to a 30db unit to give me 40 db. thanks Troy
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at the minute i have a 5 watt pi circut 1 is 5w 56 oh R1 1 1/4 w 56OH R2 AND A 5W 470 OH FOR R3 CAN ANY ONE GIVE ME A SAFE ONE FOR 28MHZ 10W OR EVEN 15W IN 100MW OUT PLEASE
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sir im in a bit of a muddle i have a rf radio output 10 watts and a unit that takes 100 mw input or less to operate if not damage will be so can you give me a pi simpe circut values please
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kindly explain how to measure self resonating frequency of capacitor
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Hello W2AEW, can you pl explain how to design a DC block.
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i have a 55w power supply for my 3w wifi booster. what attenuator do i need?
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PI comes from the shape of the Greek letter.
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can someone tell me why the equation of powerloss X(DB) is vin/vout? my understanding for calculation is output/input . thanks
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Great!
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could somebody please tell me in which cases do we need attenuators? Thanks
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Thanks for sharing. Seems I had not seen this one.
What controls how flatness of the response of the attenuator? Is this mainly the construction characteristics? Would shielding the whole thing help even more than just the solid ground plane? Also, are SMD resistors better for this purpose vs. through hole? If so, just due to their size?
Thanks so much for the great videos you produce. -
Thanks for the video, I really need an attenuator by tomorrow and amazon wouldn't get it to me soon enough. So this will work temporarily.
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Hello,
Could I build these and use them in calibration of a scope instead of buying Tektronics attenuator???
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Okay, I may be missing something. The O Scope attenuator should show 1 volt on the scope for every 10 in? Your paper kind of makes it look like the opposite, 1 volt in would show 10 volts on the scope. I have a couple differential probe sets. One is 20KV rated, with enormous probes. One of those deals that was just too good to pass up, and it is Tektronix, so that made it even harder to pass up. I will need attenuators. Thanks! 73 KI7AQJ -AE (passed the extra last week, & now they want me to take the VE)
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The best channel in youtube. Keep up the good work.
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Thanks
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thank you for video
thats whats in toe works here -
Very informative! Never thought it could be so simple!