5305 Spectrum Drive, Frederick, MD 21703-7362 sTEL: 301-846-9222, 800-638-2048 sFax: 301-846-9116
web: www.aeroflex.com/weinschel semail: weinschel-sales@aeroflex.com
78
Revision Date: 4/29/11
Variable Attenuators
Models 115A thru 119A dc to 18.0 GHz
Manual Step Attenuators 2 Watt
Choice of Type N or SMA Connectors
Features
oSafety Mechanical Stop - A mechanical stop between
maximum and 0 attenuation positions on all models
prevents damage to the mechanical drive as well as
preventing large power changes that could cause dam-
age to sensitive equipment.
oChoice of Attenuation Ranges - Five standard atten-
uation ranges are available: 0-9 dB, 0-69 dB, and 0-99
dB in 1 dB steps, and 0-60 dB and 0-90 dB in 10 dB
steps.
oBroadband - All models are available in a choice of 2
frequency ranges: dc-4 and dc-18 GHz.
oRight-Angle Drive - The center conductor of the con-
nector is perpendicular to the control shaft, offering
greater flexibility of applications: panel mounting or
bench setup. All models are bidirectional.
oCustom Configurations Available Upon Request.
oLow Deviation from Nominal Value - These Mini Step
Attenuators have flat frequency response over speci-
fied bands and excellent attenuation accuracy.
Deviation from nominal value is low at all settings.
oExcellent Repeatability and Long Life Switch -
Repeatability is better than 0.05 dB to 18.0 GHz for
over 1,000,000 switchings of the drum.
Description
The Aeroflex / Weinschel Models 115A through 119A are a
series of broadband, step attenuators in a right-angle drive
configuration, where the center conductor of the connector
is perpendicular to the control shaft. They feature excellent
performance characteristics suitable for use in high reliabil-
ity 50 ohm systems and applications requiring extra-small
components for the precision control of power in discrete
steps. They can be used either as input or output attenua-
tors in signal sources, receivers, field strength meters,
spectrum analyzers, etc.
Specifications
NOMINAL IMPEDANCE: 50 Ω
FREQUENCY RANGE (add Model No. Prefix to
Designate Range):
All Models: dc to 4.0 GHz (AC)
dc to 18.0 GHz (AF)
STANDARD INCREMENTAL ATTENUATION RANGE:
Model 115A: 0 to 9 dB in 1 dB steps
Model 116A: 0 to 60 dB in 10 dB steps
Model 117A: 0 to 69 dB in 1 dB steps
Model 118A: 0 to 90 dB in 10 dB steps
Model 119A: 0 to 99 dB in 1 dB steps
MAXIMUM SWR (Models 117A & 119A):
Frequency 115A, 116A
Range (GHz) 117A & 119A & 118A
dc - 4 1.35 1.25
4 - 12.4 1.50 1.60
12.4 - 18.0 1.70 1.60
POWER RATING: 2 watts average to 25°C ambient
temperature, derated linearly to 1 watt @ 54°C. 200 watts
peak (5 μsec pulse width; 0.5% duty cycle)
POWER COEFFICIENT: < 0.005/dB/dB/watt
TEMPERATURE COEFFICIENT: < 0.0004/dB/dB/°C
TEMPERATURE RANGE: Operating: 0°C to +54°C
Nonoperating: -54°C to +54°C
INCREMENTAL PHASE SHIFT: ~0.5° per dB x f(GHz)
REPEATABILITY: Better than 0.05 dB across frequency
band for switch life.
SWITCH LIFE: Over 1,000,000 steps
INDEXING: 36°
MAXIMUM INSERTION LOSS (dB):
Model CONN Frequency Range (GHz)
Number Type dc-4 dc-18
115A N 0.3 0.7
SMA 0.3 1.0
116A N 0.3 0.7
SMA 0.4 1.0
117A N 0.5 1.2
SMA 0.6 1.5
118A N 0.4 0.8
SMA 0.5 1.0
119A N 0.5 1.2
SMA 0.6 1.5
79
5305 Spectrum Drive, Frederick, MD 21703-7362 sTEL: 301-846-9222, 800-638-2048 sFax: 301-846-9116
web: www.aeroflex.com/weinschel semail: weinschel-sales@aeroflex.com Revision Date: 4/29/11
Variable Attenuators
TEST DATA: Insertion Loss data is supplied as follows.
Other test data can be supplied at additional cost.
dc to 4 GHz: At 50 MHz and 4 GHz
dc to 18 GHz: At 50 MHz, 4, 8, 12 and 18 GHz
RELATIVE HUMIDITY: 95%
ALTITUDE: to 10,000 ft.
SHOCK (non-operating): 8 g's, 100 ms, 1/2 sine
DRUM CONFIGURATIONS:
Single Drum: 115A, 116A, 118A
Dual Drum: 117A, 119A
VIBRATION (non-operating):
5 to 8 cps, 0.20 inch double amplitude
8 to 15 cps, 0.10 inch double amplitude
15 to 55 cps, 0.36 inch double amplitude
Supported rigidly front and back
SHAFT ROTATION: Clockwise for increasing attenuation
CONSTRUCTION:
Materials: Housing: aluminum alloy, clear irridite,
MIL-C-5541.
Dust Cover: Painted aluminum alloy
Drum: Aluminum alloy
Shaft: Passivated stainless steel
Connector: Stainless steel and beryllium
copper contacts.
CONNECTOR: SMA and Type N connectors per MIL-STD-
348 interface dimensions - mate nondestructively with
MIL-C-39012 connector. Connector sex is optional as fol-
lows:
Connector Options Type/Description
1 SMA, Female
2 SMA, Male
3 Type N, Female
4 Type N, Male
WEIGHT: 115A 340 g (12 oz)
116A 340 g (12 oz)
117A 760 g (27 oz)
118A 450 g (16 oz)
119A 880 g (31 oz)
INCREMENTAL INSERTION LOSS (+dB):
Model dB Frequency Range (GHz)
Number Range dc-4 dc-18
115A 1-9 0.3 0.5
117A 1-9 0.3 0.5
10-19 0.7 1.0
20-29 0.9 1.2
30-39 1.0 1.4
40-49 1.1 1.5
50-59 1.2 1.7
60-69 1.3 1.9
119A 1-9 0.3 0.5
10-19 0.7 1.0
20-29 0.9 1.2
30-39 1.0 1.4
40-49 1.1 1.5
50-59 1.2 1.7
60-69 1.3 1.9
70-79 1.4 2.1
80-89 1.5 2.3
90-99 1.6 2.5
116A 10 0.3 1.0
20 0.3 1.0
30 0.4 1.0
40 0.5 1.2
50 0.7 1.5
60 0.8 1.8
118A 10 0.3 1.0
20 0.3 1.0
30 0.4 1.0
40 0.5 1.2
50 0.7 1.5
60 0.8 1.8
70 0.9 2.1
80 1.0 2.3
90 1.2 2.5
MODEL NUMBER DESCRIPTION:
Example:
AC116A - XX -XX
Basic
Model
Number
Maximum
Attenuation
Value (dB)
Connector Options*
1st digit is J1 side (left)
2nd digit is J2 side (right)
Frequency
Range
(GHz)
Specifications (Con’t):
5305 Spectrum Drive, Frederick, MD 21703-7362 sTEL: 301-846-9222, 800-638-2048 sFax: 301-846-9116
web: www.aeroflex.com/weinschel semail: weinschel-sales@aeroflex.com
80
Revision Date: 4/29/11
Variable Attenuators
PHYSICAL DIMENSIONS:
Model No. DIM A DIM B
119A 58.7 (2.31) 111.3 (4.38)
118A 29.0 (1.14) 57.7 (2.27)
117A 54.0 (2.11) 101.1 (3.98)
116A 23.9 (0.94) 47.5 (1.87)
115A 23.9 (0.94) 47.5 (1.87)
CONN Type DIM C
Type N, Male 20.6 (0.81)
Type N, Female 18.3 (0.72)
SMA, Male 9.4 (0.37)
SMA, Female 7.9 (0.31)
NOTE: All dimensions are given in mm (inches) and are maximum, unless otherwise specified.
