Programmable Attenuators
Model 3200T
SmartStep
®
Programmable Attenuators
with built-in Microprocessor-Based Driver
For Use with Weinschel 8210A Controller
CELL CONFIGURATIONS:
Model
Number
3200T-1E
3200T-2E
3201T-1E
3201T-2
NO.
Cells
8
8
5
5
4
4
4
6
10
Attenuation
Range/Steps
(dB)
127/1
63.75/0.25
31/1
120/10
70/10
55/5
1.5/0.1
63/1
64.5/0.1
Cell
Increments
(dB)
1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64*
0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8,
16, 32
1, 2, 4, 8, 16
10, 20, 30, 60**
10, 20, 20, 20
5, 10, 20, 20
0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8
1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32
0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8, 1,
2, 4, 8, 16, 32
dc to 3.0 GHz
1 Watt
Features
o
Widest Selection of Attenuation Ranges
& Steps Sizes
o
Built-In TTL\CMOS Interface Driver Circuitry
o
High Quality Construction and Connectors
o
Special Configurations Available Upon Request
- Custom Cell/Step Size Configurations
- Higher Frequencies (See 3400 Series)
3205T-1E
3205T-2E
3205T-3E
3206T-1E
3209T-1E
*64 dB cell comprised of two 32 dB cells
Description
This line of intelligent programmable step attenuators with a
built-in digital interface are designed to simplify the control
and integration of these devices into subsystem and bench
applications. This series of Programmable Step Attenuators
is designed for use in automatic test equipment and OEM
systems operating in the dc to 3 GHz frequency range.
These models are available in many standard attenuation
ranges and cell configurations. Each cell contains a double-
pole, double-throw relay that provides a minimum loss or
attenuated path for the RF signal.
Microstrip circuitry and special compensation techniques
produce flat attenuation versus frequency characteristics.
To minimize RF leakage, the 3200T Series Attenuators are
provided with gold-plated contact areas and feedthrough fil-
ters at each control terminal.
MAXIMUM SWR:
Frequency
Range (GHz)
dc - 2
2-3
3200T-XE, 3201T-1E
3205T-XE, 3206T-1E
1.25
1.40
3209T-1E
1.35
1.45
INCREMENTAL ATTENUATION ACCURACY:
Frequency
Accuracy
Range (GHz)
dc - 0.5
0.5 - 1
1 -3
MONOTONICITY:
+ 0.2 dB or 0.5%
+ 0.2 dB or 1.0%
+ 0.3 dB or 2.0%
Specifications
NOMINAL IMPEDANCE:
FREQUENCY RANGE:
50
Ω
dc to 3.0 GHz
(3200T-2 is dc to 2 GHz)
10 MHz to 3.0 GHz
(minimum 1 dB change)
POWER COEFFICIENT:
<0.002 dB/dB/watt
INCREMENTAL TEMPERATURE COEFFICIENT:
30 & 32 dB cells: 0.0005 dB/dB/°C
All other cells:
0.0002 dB/dB/°C
215
5305 Spectrum Drive, Frederick, MD 21703-7362
s
TEL: 301-846-9222, 800-638-2048
s
Fax: 301-846-9116
web: www.aeroflex.com/weinschel
s
email: weinschel-sales@aeroflex.com
Revision Date: 6/2/2014
Programmable Attenuators
Specifications - Con’t
MAXIMUM INSERTION LOSS (dB):
Frequency
Range (GHz)
dc - 0.5
0.5 - 1.0
1.0 - 1.5
1.5 - 2.0
2.0 - 3.0
3200T-1E
3200T-2E
2.50
3.20
3.50
4.00
4.70
3201T-1E
3201T-2
1.70
2.20
2.50
2.80
3.25
3205T-1E, 3205T-2E
3205T-3E
1.50
1.75
2.00
2.25
2.60
3206T-1E
2.20
2.40
2.80
3.10
3.70
3209T-1E
3.00
3.60
4.20
4.60
5.50
POWER RATING:
1 watt average to 25°C ambient tem-
perature, derated linearly to 0.25 watt @ 71°C. 50 watts
peak (5
μsec
pulse width; 1% duty cycle)
RATED SWITCH LIFE:
5 million cycles operations per cell
@ 0 dBm
CYCLING RATE:
5 Hz maximum per relay
DRIVER INTERFACE:
Input Supply Voltage:
Control Signals:
Interface Modes:
DC Characteristics (at 25 °C):
Parameter
VIL
Low-level input V:
VIH
IPU
VIN
IIN
ICELL
High-level input V:
Pullup current
Supply Voltage:
Supply current:
(digital section)
Supply current:
+12.0 to +15 V
TTL/CMOS compatible
parallel / serial
Specification
-0.5 V min, 0.8 V max
2.0 V min, 5.25 V max
50
μA
min, 400
μA
max
+12.0 to +15.0 V
25 mA
30 mA (per cell)
continuous
TEMPERATURE RANGE (Operating):
-20°C to +70°C
TEST DATA:
Test data is available at additional cost.
CONNECTORS:
SMA female connectors per MIL-STD-348
interface dimensions - mate nondestructively with
MIL-C-39012 connectors.
INTERFACE CONNECTOR:
14 pin .025 square post
header on .1 center. Mates with Amp connector 746285-2 or
equivalent.
CONSTRUCTION:
Housing:
Connectors:
WEIGHT:
Aluminum
Stainless steel body and beryllium
copper contacts.
165
132
132
132
218
g
g
g
g
g
(8.4
(7.3
(7.3
(7.3
(9.7
oz)
oz)
oz)
oz)
oz)
ACCESSORIES
Programmable Attenuator/Switch Controller:
The Model
8210A Programmable Attenuator/Switch Controller provides
a flexible, low cost solution for the operation of programma-
ble step attenuators and other electromechanical devices
under computer control. Designed to interface to Aeroflex /
Weinschel's intelligent programmable attenuators, the
8210A represents a new concept in device control
applications for bench test and subsystem designs. The
8210A provides a high-level interface from various industry
standard communications interfaces, including IEEE-488
and RS232/RS422/RS485, to the programmable
attenuator’s serial Driver Interface Bus.
CONTROL CONFIGURATION
These programmable attenuators feature an internal micro-
controller-based driver that provides a TTL-level digital
interface for control of the attenuator relays. This card sim-
plifies operation and interfacing requirements, while at the
same time providing for greatly enhanced flexibility over
past designs. User-selectable modes of operation include
both parallel and serial bus. The parallel mode provides a
simple, one-bit per relay on/off control with internal pullups
for use primarily in single attenuator applications. This mode
allows the attenuator to be controlled via a variety of meth-
ods, such as a TTL-level digital output port, or mechanical
toggle switches. The device bus provides a two-wire serial
bus structure and protocol for connecting a number of
devices to a single host control interface, suitable for use in
larger system and sub-system applications. The digital
interface contains non-volatile configuration memory that is
used to hold a wide variety of attenuator and driver-depen-
dent parameters, including serial number, attenuator cell dB
values, relay configurations, and switching requirements,
which are all accessible via the digital interface.
In either operational mode, the microcontroller enters an
idle condition during periods of inactivity, turning off all
on-board clocks, reducing EMI concerns, and lowering
power consumption. On-board regulation for the digital
circuitry allows the attenuator to operate from a single input
supply voltage.
3200T-XE
3201T-XE
3205T-XE
3206T-XE
3209T-XE
216
5305 Spectrum Drive, Frederick, MD 21703-7362
s
TEL: 301-846-9222, 800-638-2048
s
Fax: 301-846-9116
web: www.aeroflex.com/weinschel
s
email: weinschel-sales@aeroflex.com
Revision Date: 6/2/2014