Weinschel
C O R P O R A T I O N
MODELS 3230, 3231, 3230T & 3231T
RF Programmable Attenuators
Ideal for Wireless/Cellular Applications.
dc to 1.2 GHz
1 Watt
NEW
MAXIMUM CHARACTERISTIC ZERO LOSS (dB):
Frequency Range (GHz)
dc - 0.5
0.5 - 1.0
1.0 - 1.2
3230-63
3230-90
1.75
3.25
4.25
3231-63.75
1.75
4.10
4.90
Features
o
Cost Effective design for Wireless/Cellular
Applications
o
Available in 6 or 8 Cell Configurations:
90 dB/10 dB steps
63.75 dB/0.25 dB steps
63 dB/1 dB steps
o
Optional TTL or SmartStep Interface
o
Custom Configurations including bus controlled
attenuator subsystems
RATED SWITCH LIFE:
5 million operations per cell (typ)
SWITCHING TIME:
8 msec. maximum @ nominal rated
voltage.
CYCLING RATE:
5 Hz maximum
OPERATING VOLTAGE:
+11 V to +16 V
+12 V to +17 V (TTL opt -1)
OPERATING CURRENT:
16 mA maximum per cell
TEMPERATURE RANGE (Operating):
-40 to +70°C
POWER RATING:
1 watt average, 50 watts peak (5
µsec
pulse width; 1% duty cycle)
CONNECTORS:
SMA female connectors per MIL-STD-
348 interface dimensions - mate nondestructively with
MIL-C-39012 connectors.
CONTROL TERMINALS:
0.040 inch. (1 mm) diameter
solderable leads
CONSTRUCTION:
Housing:
Aluminum
Connectors:
Stainless steel body and
beryllium copper contacts.
WEIGHT:
3230
125 g (4.5 oz)
3231
155 g (4.9 oz)
3230T
219 g (5.9 oz)
3231T
189 g (5.5 oz)
Specifications
MAXIMUM SWR:
NOMINAL IMPEDANCE:
50
Ω
FREQUENCY RANGE:
dc to 1.2 GHz:
Frequency Range (GHz)
dc - 1.0
1.0 - 1.2
CELL CONFIGURATIONS:
Model
Number
3230-63
3230T-63
3230-90
3230T-90
3231-63.75
3231T-63.75
NO.
Attenuation
Cells Range/Steps
(dB)
6
6
8
63/1
90/10
63.75/0.25
Cell
Increments
(dB)
1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32
10, 10, 10, 20, 20, 20
0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8,
16, 32
SWR
1.30
1.45
ACCESSORIES
SmartStep Interface:
The Model 8210A SmartStep
Interface provides a flexible, low cost solution for the oper-
ation of programmable step attenuators and other
electromechanical devices under computer control.
Designed to interface to Weinschel's new line of SmartStep
programmable attenuators, the 8210A represents a new
concept in device control applications for bench test and
subsystem designs. The 8210A provides a high-level inter-
face from various industry standard communications
interfaces, including IEEE-488 and RS232/RS422/RS485,
to the SmartStep's serial Driver Interface Bus.
INCREMENTAL ATTENUATION ACCURACY:
Frequency
Range (GHz)
dc - 1.0
1.0 - 1.2
Accuracy
+ 0.2 dB or 2.0%
+ 0.3 dB or 2.0%
145
8/5/99
5305 Spectrum Drive, Frederick, MD 21703-7362
s
TEL: 301-846-9222, 800-638-2048
s
Fax: 301-846-9116
web: www.weinschel.com
s
email: sales@weinschel.com
Weinschel
C O R P O R A T I O N
CONTROL CONFIGURATION:
Standard Unit:
One terminal is connected to case ground
and the remaining terminals are provided for activation of
individual cells. Attenuation is fail-safe to "0" setting in the
absence of a control voltage. Application of a voltage (+) to
a particular cell causes it to switch to the attenuate position.
Units with TTL Option:
Units with this options are supplied
with a very low profile connectorized TTL interface board
mounted directly to the control terminals. This TTL interface
option is available with a 10 pin ribbon cable connector and
is supplied with a mating connector. Refer to Physical
Dimensions for mating connector pin/wiring details. Two
wires are specified for supply voltage and ground. The
remaining wires will accept TTL control signals to activate or
de-activate a particular attenuation cell. A TTL high will
energize a cell to the high attenuation state, whereas a TTL
low will maintain a cell in its zero attenuation state.
To order 3230 Series Attenuators with this option add -1 to
basic model number for ribbon cable connector. Example:
Model 3230-90 with a TTL interface would be 3230-90-1.
Note: Control is non-latching and requires a continuous
control signal for the period of time in which attenuation is
required.
TTL/CMOS
Compatible
Digital Interface
Non-Volatile
Configuration
Memory
Single-Chip
Microcontroller
Relay
Drivers
+5 V
Regulator
+12 to
+15 V
Input
EMI
Filters
To
Attenuator
Relays
TTL DRIVER SPECIFICATIONS:
INTERFACE CONNECTOR: Option -1:
10 pin .025 square
post header on .1 center. Mates with Amp connector
746285-1 or equivalent.
INPUT VOLTAGE:
VIN High=
+2.0V minimum
+5.0V typical
Vcc maximum
0 minimum
Figure 1. SmartStep Driver Circuitry
wide variety of attenuator and driver-dependant parame-
ters, including serial number, attenuator cell dB values,
relay configurations, and switching requirements, which are
all accessable via the I2C interface.
SmartStep Driver Interface Specifications:
Input Supply Voltage:
Control Signals:
Interface Modes:
Digital Interface:
Parameter
VIL
Low Level input:
VIH
High Level input:
IPU
Pullup Current
Power Supply:
VIN
Supply Voltage:
IIN
Supply current:
ICELL Supply Current:
TEMPERATURE:
+12.0 to +15.0V
TTL/CMOS compatible
parallel/ I
2
C serial
DC Characteristics (at 25°C):
Specification
-0.5 min, 0.8V max
2.0 min, 5.25V max
50
µA
min, 400
µA
max
+12.0 to +15.0V
25 mA
150 mA (per cell, switching)
-20° to +70°C operating
-55° to +85°C nonoperating
VIN Low =
INPUT CURRENT:
0.8 maximum
IIN (VIN=2.4 V) = 55
µA
IIN (VIN=3.85 V) = 280
µA
ICC=25
µA
maximum per cell
VCC=+12.0 to +15 V
SUPPLY CURRENT:
SUPPLY VOLTAGE:
TEMPERATURE RANGE (Operating):
-40 to +70 °C
Units with SmartStep driver Circuitry (Figure 1):
The
SmartStep attenuators feature an internal microcontroller-
based driver that provides a TTL-level digital interface for
control of the attenuator relays. This card simplifies oper-
ation and interfacing requirements, while at the same time
providing for greatly enhanced flexability over past designs.
User-selectable modes of operation include both parallel
and serial I2C 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 methods,
such as a TTL-level digital output port, or mechanical toggle
switches. The I2C mode 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 sys-
tem and sub-system applications. The SmartStep contains
non-volatile configuration memory that is used to hold a
146
INTERFACE CONNECTOR:
14 pin .025 square post
header on .1 center, mates with Amp connector 746285-2 or
equivalent (one mating connector included with each unit).
MODEL NUMBER DESCRIPTION:
Example:
3230* - XX - X
Basic
Model
Number
Attenuation
Value (dB)
TTL Option
(Add -1)
Example: 3230-63-1
* Add T to Basic Model Number when ordering SmartStep
Control Circuitry.
5305 Spectrum Drive, Frederick, MD 21703-7362
s
TEL: 301-846-9222, 800-638-2048
s
Fax: 301-846-9116
web: www.weinschel.com
s
email: sales@weinschel.com