Compared to its predecessors, 802.11ax utilizes additional frequency bands and wider channels within those bands. Wi-Fi 6E extends that advantage by tapping into an entirely new band: 6 GHz. Back in April, the Federal Communications Commission paved the way for 6E by opening up those frequencies for unlicensed use in the United States.

Each standard sets out to address the limitations of earlier ones, and Wi-Fi 6E is no different.

One of the biggest benefits of 6E is alleviating network congestion. In the 802.11n days (circa 2009), the average home network might have had two or three Wi-Fi devices. Now, thanks to the popularity of IoT and mobile devices, it’s not unusual for 30+ Wi-Fi-connected devices to be on a home network. Scale that up to the enterprise level and it becomes a serious problem.

The ubiquity of Wi-Fi doesn’t help matters. When multiple Wi-Fi networks are concentrated in a small area, it can result in signal interference and reduced performance for wireless devices.

Wi-Fi 6E will help solve those congestion issues by offering additional non-overlapping channels and increased bandwidth. Even—or especially—in crowded environments, 6E should bring 4x better throughput per user. Network efficiency will roughly see the same fourfold improvement. The new standard will also draw less power to get superior results. That will help extend the runtime of our battery-powered mobile devices.

That’s probably why Broadcom’s Vijay Nagarajan has called the 6 GHz band “the most disruptive boon for Wi-Fi users in the last twenty years.” Once users start enjoying 10 Gbps wireless speeds and more time between charges, it will be hard for them to go back.

In fact, the industry advocacy group WifiForward is estimating that 6E will generate $183 billion in total economic value just over the next five years.

Upgraded Wi-Fi, upgraded testing

The enhanced performance of Wi-Fi 6E is certainly a technological milestone and a rich revenue source for multiple industries. But electronics manufacturers also have to recognize that 6E represents uncharted territory. That will make comprehensive, repeatable RF testing all the more vital.

For a device to receive the Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 6 label, it will have to jump through some rigorous hoops.

Three frequency bands: Unlike prior 802.11 standards, Wi-Fi 6E is true “triple band.” That means devices will need to operate seamlessly across three different Wi-Fi frequencies: 2.4, 5 and 6 GHz.

More channels: Wi-Fi 6E is able to leverage up to 14 additional 80 MHz channels or 7 further super-wide 160 MHz channels on the 6GHz band.

Lower latency: Wi-Fi 6 makes use of advanced technology like orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA). In a nutshell, OFDMA increases the efficiency of transmission by fitting more data into a signal.

Increased capacity: Access points based on the Wi-Fi 6 standard can accommodate more individual devices through multi-user multiple input, multiple output (MU-MIMO) capabilities. MU-MIMO isn’t totally new; Wi-Fi 6 just takes it further.

New applications: By utilizing channels that are optimized for high-bandwidth activities like augmented/virtual reality (AR/VR) and 8K video streaming, Wi-Fi 6E will make wireless connections more stable for low-data IoT devices too.

And that’s just a high-level overview of some of the performance targets that Wi-Fi 6E devices will be expected to meet.

AdauraTech R3 series attenuators are ideal for Wi-Fi 6E testing

Advanced RF testing calls for equipment that’s up to the task.

AdauraTech’s new AD-USB R3 series of programmable RF attenuators is designed for the next-gen testing requirements of Wi-Fi 6E. With a frequency range of 50 MHz up to 8 GHz, the R3 series actually exceeds the current 6E upper limit of 7.125 GHz. The 1-, 2-, 4- and 8-channel devices can handle 95 dB of attenuation and feature a step size of 0.25 dB for precision measurements.

Best of all, the R3 series is affordable. While each compact device is housed in a custom-machined aluminum enclosure and equipped with both USB and Ethernet ports, pricing remains very budget-friendly. That makes it cost-effective for startups as well as large organizations to update their RF testing kit right away.

Setup is incredibly easy too. AdauraTech’s zero-software platform allows engineers to hit the ground running and control the units through a browser-based GUI, HTTP REST commands or direct Telnet connections. The R3 series is OS-agnostic, so it works equally well with Windows, Linux or macOS.

For more information on purchasing RF attenuators from the AD-USB R3 series or their application in Wi-Fi 6E testing, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.

The post The Importance of Wi-Fi 6E appeared first on Adaura Technologies.

The post AdauraTech is Ready For The New 6Ghz Bands With its 4-Channel R3 RF Attenuator From 50 to 8000Mhz appeared first on Adaura Technologies.

Utilizing the time tested and proven serial protocol, AdauraTech’s USB devices can be implemented into test setups quickly and efficiently. The R3 series can be deployed rapidly in Windows, Linux, and Mac OS environments.  Using low cost embedded computers allows users to easily power and control multiple units.

Order Now

The post Adaura Technologies Introduces New R3 Series USB & Ethernet Programmable RF Attenuator From 5 to 6000Mhz appeared first on Adaura Technologies.

Roseville, CA – July 25, 2017 – As the introduction of new wireless and IoT products accelerates, far too often the testing of these products is neglected due to cost and complexity, leading to negative performance and customer experiences. AdauraTech is the developer of high performance RF testing equipment that not only keeps up with wireless innovation, but enables both startups and incumbents alike to easily and cost-effectively test their wireless products. And today, AdauraTech introduced the next generation of its 4-channel programmable digital RF attenuators which significantly simplify wireless testing while ensuring ultra-high performance.

Like it’s predecessors, the new AdauraTech AD-USB4AR2 attenuators feature a unique design that provides 4 channels in one compact package – but this new solution also introduces innovative new engineering to deliver exceptional chain-to-chain isolation, greater than 100dB. The result is a solution that enables the testing of a much wider range of wireless applications with improved results, delivered at a better price and with greater ease of use than existing solutions on the market.

“For too long, the incredible innovation of the wireless industry has been somewhat offset by the fact that many of the new products brought to market simply don’t perform as intended in the real worl, all because they weren’t tested properly or – sometimes – at all,” said Blaise Yen, CEO of AdauraTech. “There’s a simple reason for this: RF testing has traditionally been far too expensive, and way too complex. AdauraTech’s sole mission is to remove those barriers to proper wireless testing.”

AdauraTech’s multiple channel attenuators offer a compact package with a single digital interface to control multiple channels. For many applications, 63dB of total attenuation and chain-to-chain isolation is sufficient to provide excellent performance – but more advanced applications require even greater capabilities. AdauraTech’s AD-USB4AR2 provides greater than 100dB of chain-to-chain isolation with a patent pending new design, which significantly suppresses adjacent RF leakage levels. All of this is done with a design that keeps the cost down, and is paired with AdauraTech’s software for ease of use.

“AdauraTech provides Quantenna with reliable, cost-effective solutions for our ever-expanding RF test requirements in both our laboratory and factory environments,” said Ray Ho, Engineering Manager at Quantenna. “In our testing, the new AD-USB4AR2 attenuators have extremely consistent performance from channel to channel, and the reliability is exceptional.”

Why is a revolution in wireless testing needed?

While the wireless industry reaches new technological breakthroughs in efficiency and affordability, the supporting infrastructure of test & measurement equipment has changed very little. High cost and complexity have long reigned supreme. This causes problems for both small and large corporations alike:

• Small startups in IoT and wireless industries cannot afford the large expense and complexity of yesterday’s testing equipment, which means they often don’t validate if their wireless products will actually work in the real world. Too often this results in a negative experience for their customers which impacts customer loyalty.
• Large companies need to innovate quickly to stay competitive, and in order to do so, they need high performance testing equipment that is easy to implement and use, while also being dependable enough to handle heavy testing loads for years to come. 

AdauraTech solves both of these issues with integrated hardware and software solutions that deliver ultra-high performance with easy computer control in a compact form factor. For more information on our products or to contact us, please visit https://adauratech.com/.

Avaialbility

The AdauraTech AD-USB4AR2 programmable digital attenuators are available now, and can be ordered here.

About AdauraTech

AdauraTech develops high performance, low cost RF testing equipment that makes it affordable to test the billions of IoT and wireless devices that need to connect to wireless networks today. AdauraTech develops advanced RF testing equipment that leverages innovative, patent-pending design to dramatically reduce the cost of proper RF testing, all while introducing unparalleled ease of use.

Founded in 2013 by RF, microwave and system automation professionals, AdauraTech is located in California’s Silicon Valley. Our products and software are used by wireless communication product developers in nearly every industry, from military, to commercial, to academia. We currently serve customers on four continents. For more information visit https://adauratech.com/.

Contact information:

Andrew Miller

andrew@adauratech.com

The post AdauraTech Helps Ensure Wireless Products Actually Work in the Real World with New RF Attenuators appeared first on Adaura Technologies.

Digital Programmable Attenuators are routinely used in radio performance testing to simulate path loss. MIMO technology enables the use of multiple streams of data to boost throughput. The number of streams is also increasing from the 2×2 of only a few years ago to 8×8 and soon to be even higher. Multiple channel attenuators offer a compact package with a single digital interface to control multiple channels. For most applications, a 63dB of total amount of attenuation and chain to chain isolation is sufficient to provide excellent performance on the system level.  In some very special cases, these parameters need to be further improved. This article will outline this requirement and how AdauraTech’s new AD-USB4AR2 will enable the users to achieve this ultra-performance.

Typical Test Setup

Figure 1 This diagram illustrates a typical chamber test set up for measurement of throughput performance.

RF Leakage Paths

Figure 2 This diagram shows the RF leakage paths where chain to chain isolation is defined.  The ADUSB4A offers a typical of 70dB isolation.

Typical Signal Levels

Figure 3 The RF signal is reduced by the radiated path or by fixed attenuators to a realistic level of -30dBm to prevent saturation of most radio front end.  An RF signal of -30dBm will appear as -100dBm (-30dB-70dB) at another chain.  -100dBm is typically below receive sensitivity of most radios. 

Special Case

Figure 4 illustrates a case where the RF signal is much higher at 0dBm level.  The Chain to chain isolation of 70dB will not suppress the leakage below sensitivity level.

Special Case with AD-USB4AR2

Figure 5 shows the special case with ADUSB4AR2 where 100dB of chain to chain isolation will provide ultra performance to suppress the leakage level to below receive sensitivity.

Conclusion

In summary, AdauraTech continually provide cost effective high performance test products for the wireless industry.  The new ADUSB4AR2 is an example of another addition to our product portfolio to enable compact form factor with ease of computer control and ultra-high RF performance.

The post Ultra Performance Requirement For A Digital Attenuators in MIMO Applications appeared first on Adaura Technologies.

Before we get into characteristics, it’s worth covering briefly what attenuation is, what it’s used for, and the basic attenuator hardware designs.

Stated simply, attenuation is the opposite of amplification. It creates an intentional and desirable weakening of the power, or amplitude, of an input signal. In RF testing applications, the ability to attenuate a signal—and to do so with reliability and precision—is incredibly valuable for measuring real-world performance under laboratory conditions.

As for design, there are roughly two fundamental types of microwave circuits in RF attenuators. These are the pi and the T, each of which can be balanced and unbalanced. We won’t get into the math or the circuit diagrams in this brief space, but we will note that each of these variants and sub-variants works in different ways toward the same end. This boils down to shared general characteristics that can be compared among any two or more microwave attenuators and will help inform your choice. They include:

• Attenuation: A microwave attenuator attenuates, naturally. But not all of them do so to the same degree. Depending on your RF testing application, you’ll want to find one that has a reasonable minimum attenuation (down to 0dB) and a practical maximum attenuation (also expressed in dB). The minimum attenuation of the AD-USB2A series of two-channel programmable RF attenuators from Adaura Technologies is 0db; its maximum is 63dB.
• Accuracy: Perhaps the most important specification after the range of attenuation, accuracy is of course crucial to testing applications. The lower the deviation, the better. For Adaura’s AD-USB4A series of four-channel programmable RF attenuators, the accuracy is rated at +/-(0.60dB +5% of the attenuation setting).
• Impedance: In most RF testing applications, you’ll want your microwave attenuator to have an impedance of 50Ω. This impedance value is fairly standard on all RF attenuators.
• Insertion loss: This is the loss in signal power due simply to placing the attenuator in the test setup. In the 0.05 to 3GHz range, the insertion loss for the AD-USB2A is rated between just 2.5 and 6dB. In the 3 to 6GHz range, it’s between 7 and 9dB.
• Operating frequency: This is the frequency range of the microwave attenuator. When testing RF devices, it’s essential to have a test setup that can accommodate the frequency range of the real-world application of the device under test. For instance, if you’re testing 4G LTE components, you’ll want to have an attenuator that is capable of handling anything within the range of 450 to 5900MHz because it’s such a wide potential spectrum. The AD-USB2A and AD-USB4A both operate between 0.5 and 6GHz.
• Step size: Steps are the increments by which you can increase or reduce the attenuation across a given range. Generally, the smaller the step size, the more precisely you’ll be able to test a particular device or component, but miniscule step sizes can sometimes be overkill.
• Switching speed: “Switching” refers to the time it takes for the attenuator to toggle between attenuation states. Here, faster tends to be better.

In modern testing scenarios, the right microwave attenuator is also likely to be a digital programmable RF attenuator because of the flexibility, convenience and precision that these microwave attenuators allow. As mentioned above, the AD-USB2A and AD-USB4A series are two- and four-channel RF attenuators, respectively, which means that they’re capable of testing multiple channels simultaneously. Yet that doesn’t mean they’re more difficult to integrate into a test setup or operate. Both are remarkably compact and connect to a computer via a single supplied USB cable. The included software runs on any Mac, Linux or Windows PC and offers an easy-to-use GUI as well as straightforward command-line functions — including setting one or multiple attenuators to a specified value, as well as a ‘ramp’ command to increase the attenuation with a given dwell time for each step.

Combined with their incredibly competitive price, these features make the AD-USB2A and AD-USB4A series perfect for startups as well as large established manufacturers who are involved in the development and testing of microwave RF components for IoT, cellular and WiFi applications.

The post How to Select the Right Microwave Attenuator appeared first on Adaura Technologies.

Some of the other types of RF attenuators include fixed and continuously variable attenuators. A quick recap of their applications will help us highlight how they differ from digital RF attenuators:

• Engineers often use fixed attenuators to improve the impedance match between two components in a system as long as the attenuation loss can be tolerated. These system components can be a filter or an amplifier.
• Continuously variable attenuators, by contrast, come in handy when engineers need to emulate the propagation and multipath losses of signals between transmitters and receivers in a wireless link.

Digital RF attenuators have similar functionality but are a great deal more sophisticated. What particularly sets digital RF attenuators apart is that engineers can select a specific amount of attenuation dynamically depending on the state of a logic signal, which is a digital signal with only two types of values. These are the same signals that are used in a computer, and as such, digital RF attenuators can be programmed to produce a given amount of attenuation for a specified period of time using software controls. This has obvious advantages, not least when it comes to automated testing, because the attenuation doesn’t have to be manually selected during each testing phase.

You’ll remember, though, that computers are not all built using the same hardware platform, and so it is with digital RF attenuators. Their logic type can be driven by transistor–transistor logic (TTL) or complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS).

Regardless of the method they use, digital RF attenuators broadly function on the same principle, which is that the logic signal activates different attenuation states that can be increased or decreased at specific increments, or steps. Internally, these steps are digitally determined according to the least-significant bit (LSB), which selects the smallest amount of attenuation, or the most-significant bit (MSB), which selects the largest amount of attenuation. The interstitial bits therefore select attenuation values between those two extremes. What those values are will depend on how the device is designed. The AD-USB4A series of digital RF attenuators from Adaura, for example, range from 0dB of minimum attenuation to 63dB of maximum attenuation at step sizes of 1dB.

Those minimum/maximum values are important, as is the step size. The wider the attenuation range, the more versatile your digital RF attenuator will be across various applications. And the smaller the step size, the more granular your attenuation testing can be. But another hugely important factor is the frequency range of your digital RF attenuator. If you’re testing a component that is designed for application in a system using IEEE 802.11ac, today’s most common WLAN standard, you’ll want a digital RF attenuator that can accommodate frequencies between 5725 and 5875MHz (plus the 2400 to 2500MHz band for backwards compatibility). For RF components in 4G LTE network devices, testing frequencies anywhere between 450 and 5900MHz are needed.

The last major hardware specification you’ll want to consider is the insertion loss. This is the reduction is signal strength, typically measured in dB, that is a direct result of placing the digital RF attenuator in the path of the testing setup. A loose parallel might be a dam: Dams are designed to let water pass through at controlled rates, but the very existence of the dam itself restricts water flow. With digital RF attenuators, the lower the insertion loss, the better, as this will allow you to get more accurate testing results based on the attenuation you have programmed. Adaura’s AD-USB4A series of digital programmable attenuators has a minimum insertion loss of just 2.5 dB in the 0.05–3GHz frequency range and 7dB in the 3–6GHz range.

One other factor that gets overlooked, however, is ease of use. As the appeal of digital RF attenuators rests in large part on their programmability, the software should strike the right balance between power and simplicity. Adaura Technologies’ two- (AD-USB2A) and four-channel (AD-USB4A) series of RF digital programmable attenuators come with bundled software that runs on any Windows, Mac or Linux computer and offers both command-line and GUI options. At least one reviewer has noted that this is an enormous win for Adaura devices in terms of time to development, as it means that the Adaura digital RF attenuators can be deployed quickly and easily into almost any existing test setup.

The post Your Guide to Digital RF Attenuators appeared first on Adaura Technologies.

Variable RF attenuators come in particularly handy in RF testing applications where the required or optimal amplitude of the signal is still being determined or if it should fall within a particular range. Broadly speaking, this makes variable RF attenuators useful in the development and manufacturing of mobile phones and other cellular devices, IoT devices that make use of WiFi, Bluetooth or proprietary RF communication, as well as cutting-edge MU-MIMO and WiFi MIMO devices, all of which have to satisfy rigorous industry standards while meeting real-world demands in both enterprise- and consumer-level environments. From an industry standpoint, these technologies are either well established or becoming increasingly ubiquitous in consumer electronics, automobiles, aerospace, logistics, education, home appliances, manufacturing and many other fields.

Some specific usage scenarios for variable RF attenuators might include:

• Reducing the signal amplitude: This is the most fundamental example of what all varieties of attenuators are designed to do. Using variable RF attenuators in this way can limit signal power within a circuit simply to keep from exceeding a certain upper threshold.
• Controlling a signal amplitude: In this scenario, a variable RF attenuator can be used to dial in a signal to the desired target amplitude. This makes sense when the signal generator creates an accurate signal but at a higher amplitude than is necessary or desired.
• Improving the impedance match: A properly matched RF attenuator (almost always 50Ω impedance, although 75Ω is sometimes seen) will ensure that input and output impedances are kept close to the circuit level. On occasion the introduction of other components into a testing system will cause a degradation in performance should the impedance fluctuate as a result, and such degradation can jeopardize the integrity of the signal and the test process.

The particular benefits of variable RF attenuators are mostly apparent by what they are not — that is, fixed and passive. Unlike fixed RF attenuators, which are only capable of creating a set amount of attenuation, variable RF attenuators offer more flexibility and allow the engineer to control the amount of attenuation dynamically depending on the environment, the application or the test goal. To the layperson, it might seem like attenuation of any kind would be unwanted. But the most powerful signal is not always the optimal signal. In many RF testing applications, deliberate attenuation is essential when precisely managing signal amplitudes in order to prevent the overload and saturation that might cloud or skew test results.

Used by industry leaders such as Itron, Google, NASA, Verizon, Intel, Mimosa and many others, Adaura Technologies’ digital programmable attenuators combine the benefits of variable RF attenuators with an unparalleled ease of programmability. Their rich feature set and affordability make them ideal for both of the major use cases in the RF industry:

• In small startups. Bootstrapped IoT and wireless startups don’t always have the wherewithal to afford cutting-edge testing equipment, so they make do with very limited high-end equipment, they rely on legacy equipment or they simply do without it altogether. This either creates a serious production bottleneck, or it leaves their products partially (or even completely) untested for real-world scenarios.
• In large companies. The sheer magnitude of production in large companies naturally drives up the cost of testing equipment. This can lead to massive outlays for premium high-performance equipment for massively parallel testing or a switch to less expensive—and potentially less capable—alternatives.

Adaura Technologies’ AD-USB2A two-channel series of RF digital programmable attenuators, or the AD-USB4A four-channel variant, can be implemented quickly and inexpensively in testing scenarios for RF devices without compromising quality and thoroughness of testing.

Designed around Hittite’s HMC642 broadband GaAs digital IC for high input and accurate step size, both the AD-USB2A and AD-USB4A series of RF digital programmable attenuators allow their multiple channels to be controlled and powered over a single USB port via a supplied 3′ USB cable, which reduces the complexity of the test setup. And their intuitive GUI enables test engineers to program fixed attenuations or flexible ramp functions through simple serial-port commands on any Windows, Mac or Linux PC. Those features give you plenty of variability in your testing options while eliminating detrimental variability in build quality and performance.

The post The Benefits of Variable RF Attenuators appeared first on Adaura Technologies.

Digital programmable attenuators tend to be driven by transistor–transistor logic (TTL) inputs and, depending on their design, can produce attenuation across a wide range. To give one example, Adaura Technologies’ AD-USB2A series of two-channel programmable RF attenuators is capable of an attenuation range between 0 to 63dB over discrete 0.5dB or 1.0dB steps, and these variables are determined by means of easy-to-use software than can run on any Windows, Mac or Linux PC. The attenuator itself is connected to the PC through a single USB cable.

When you’re faced with a variety of potential programmable attenuators for your RF testing, there are a few points on the data sheet that are worth noting.

• Attenuation: Clearly, the attenuation range (max. versus min., measured in dB) is going to be very important. Given that you’re probably selecting a digital programmable attenuator for its flexibility of operation, a fairly broad range is desirable. It’s also worth noting the attenuation accuracy, as any significant deviation will not be indicative of actual behavior.
• Insertion loss: This translates to the loss in signal power (measured in dB) that comes from integrating the device into the testing system. The Adaura AD-USB4A series of digital programmable attenuators has a minimum insertion loss of just 2.5 dB in the 05–3GHz frequency range and 7dB in the 3–6GHz range, which typically allows for a more accurate measurement of the maximum input signal.
• Step size: It doesn’t apply in every situation, but engineers usually prefer smaller step sizes because they allow the attenuation to be controlled with that much more accuracy. Adaura’s line of programmable attenuators gives you the choice of 5 and 1dB step sizes depending on frequency so you can select the model that best suits your RF testing scenarios.
• Price: Should other parameters be more or less comparable, price can often be the deciding factor. But this comparison might not always be as straightforward as it appears. When one programmable attenuator features multiple channels, this can make the testing environment much more efficient and reduce the amount of individual devices required for each setup. For eexample, just three Adaura AD-USB4A four-channel attenuators could replace twelve single-channel attenuators.

There are some other factors that might not appear as dedicated figures on the spec sheet but are no less important.

• Integration: How quickly and easily can you drop the device into your existing setup? Will it require a lot more cabling and additional specialized equipment such as a powered USB hub? Adaura Technologies’ line of digital programmable attenuators are not only compact; they can be powered and controlled with a single USB cable.
• Software: There’s nothing worse than a well-built, capable attenuator being restricted by buggy or complex software. As part of your evaluation, you’ll want to ensure that the bundled software is easy to use, customizable and full-featured right out of the box, and that it will be fully compatible with your preferred OS. Some other questions to ask might be: How much programming and development time will it take to integrate the attenuator into your testing setup? Are there enough interface options to make custom coding easy? Can the attenuator be programmed to work reliably in an automated testing environment?

Adaura Technologies’ AD-USB2A and AD-USB4A digital programmable attenuators have won praise for all of the above, making them ideal for the entire spectrum of RF testing applications, including the development and manufacture of cellular, microwave radio, WiFi/MU-MIMO and IoT devices. They provide your testing environment with all the flexibility of a high-quality programmable attenuator, outstanding programmability, and at a price point that should appeal to small-scale startups as well as larger manufacturers looking for mass RF testing solutions.

The post Evaluating Programmable RF Attenuators appeared first on Adaura Technologies.

Although RF attenuators are slightly more complex than that, the “right tools” principle still applies. These electrical components are basically designed to do the opposite of an amplifier, a device that probably needs very little explanation. That is to say, attenuators reduce the power level, or amplitude, of an RF signal without significantly altering its waveform or causing reflection. A poor-quality attenuator or the wrong kind of attenuator will not necessarily meet that crucial second criteria, thereby causing the integrity of the RF signal to degrade. And thorough, reliable RF testing depends on signal integrity.

To select the right RF attenuator for your environment or application, let’s look at four general attenuator categories.

• Fixed: As the name suggests, this type of passive device provides an unchanging value of attenuation (e.g., 1 dB, 10 dB, 20 dB). Depending on the design of the fixed attenuator, the output signal power, or gain, will be reduced relative to the input signal power by a set and constant amount.
• Step: This kind of passive attenuator straddles the divide between fixed and variable. It can provide different values of attenuation over a particular range, but these values can only be selected at a pre-determined increment—for example, 0.5dB—by means of an analog controller.
• Continuously variable: These attenuators offer slightly more fine-grained control over the testing scenario. The applied attenuation can be any value within a given range. Unlike passive fixed and step attenuators, these can be active devices that use more sophisticated solid-state components and therefore allow more complex manual or electronic voltage control mechanisms that engineers can use to impose a precise degree of signal attenuation.
• Programmable: Sometimes called digitally controlled or digital programmable attenuators, these devices apply signal attenuation that is determined by an external voltage, which in turn is regulated by means of computer software. An important point on which they differ from their continuously variable cousins is that a single programmable device can respond to multiple input controls. Programmable attenuators sometimes feature a USB port to better interface with most computers, and they are usually paired with software.

Within those attenuator categories, you’ll need to evaluate your device based on four parameters: attenuation, accuracy, frequency and impedance. If, for example, you only want to apply a particular, unchanging amount of signal attenuation as part of your RF testing, then a fixed attenuator might be the right choice. But if your testing would benefit from automation and requires more flexibility, then a programmable attenuator will be better suited to your environment. The last two parameters—frequency and impedance—will be determined largely by the equipment or system that you are testing.

Keep in mind that, as with everything else, price tends to increase along with the complexity of the device as well as the quality of its engineering. Yet it’s important not to compromise in the search for an affordable RF testing solution and to carefully weigh all factors. A high-end digitally programmable attenuator can be hobbled by buggy or limited controller software. An inexpensive attenuator might mean sacrificing accuracy or build quality. Multiple step attenuators could end up costing more—or requiring more testing time—than a single variable attenuator.

Fortunately, there are attenuators for RF testing that meet high quality standards and provide a full range of features at an incredibly attractive price point.

The Adaura Technologies AD-USB2A and AD-USB4A series of compact digital programmable attenuators provide you with the flexibility of controlling two or four channels via a single USB port while delivering unparalleled performance, accuracy and ease of use in your RF testing environment. They’re based on the Hittite HMC642 broadband GaAs digital IC, which makes it possible for a single device to accommodate high input, low insertion loss and ultra-precise step size.

The intuitive software GUI makes for easy setup and configuration using any Windows, Mac or Linux computer, and it can be used to program a fixed insertion loss along with customizable ramp functions with almost zero learning curve. And the same goes for integration. Whether you’re conducting cellular, microwave radio, IoT or MIMO testing, the AD-USB2A and AD-USB4A can easily slot into any new or existing test environment.

In the past, choosing the right tools in RF testing environments has sometimes meant exchanging flexibility for accuracy or features for price. With Adaura Technologies’ AD-USB2A and AD-USB4A digital programmable attenuators, the selection process just got a lot easier.

The post Selecting the Right RF Attenuator for Your Environment appeared first on Adaura Technologies.