5305 Spectrum Drive, Frederick, MD 21703-7362 TEL: 301-846-9222, 800-638-2048 Fax: 301-846-9116
web: www.weinschel.com email: sales@weinschel.com
152
4/30/02
Model 150 dc to 18.0 GHz
Model 151 dc to 4.0 GHz
Model 152 dc to 26.5 GHz
Programmable Step Attenuators
For OEM & System Use
Description
The Model 150, 151 and 152 Programmable Step
Attenuators represent the widest variety of programmable
attenuators available. This attenuator design is the result of
an extensive development program and offers long reliable
operation with exceptional accuracy and repeatability.
These attenuators can provide programmable adjustments
of RF signal levels in precise steps of 1 dB, 5 dB, 10 dB, or
with custom steps available. Each attenuator consists of a
cascaded assembly of
switched attenuator cells
(Figure 1). The attenua-
tor elements located in
the attenuator cell are
created by a thin-film
process which provides
exceptional long-term
stability, low power and
temperature coefficients.
This series of uses a reed
switching structure that
provides rapid switching
together with low inser-
tion loss. Other features
include:
o3, 4, and 5 Cell Configurations
oBroadband Frequency Coverage
oHigh Accuracy and Repeatability
oLong Life, 5 Million Cycles Per Cell
PROGRAMMABILITY: In each programmable step
Attenuator, solenoids are used to switch the internal resistor
card of each cell into and out of the circuit. The switching is
activated by the application of a negative control voltage to
the desired pin located in the control connector. Once the
cell is switched, the solenoid is magnetically latched into
position and is able to withstand extreme shock and vibra-
tion. Internal circuitry is included to interrupt the coil current
after switching is complete. This reduces power dissipation
even if power is continuously applied. The switching time for
each cell is rated at 20 msec maximum which includes the
contact settling time.
BROADBAND ACCURACY & LOW SWR: The use of
Weinschel Corporation's proprietary thin-film resistor
process provides these programmable step attenuators with
a high degree of accuracy and the lowest possible SWR
uncertainty (refer to specifications for actual values). This
thin film process permits the construction of circuits which
are truly distributed and without stray reactances, even at
the higher microwave frequencies.
RELIABILITY: Each programmable step attenuator is
composed of 3 to 5 (4 in most models) cells. As with all
mechanical designs, usable life becomes a primary concern
to the user. With this in mind Weinschel Corporation backs
all these attenuators with a rated switch life of 5 million
operations per cell. Standardized testing is also performed
on each programmable step attenuator over its operating
frequency range by a computer controlled Weinschel
Corporation Attenuation Measurement System which is
traceable to NIST standards.
ENVIRONMENTAL: These Model 150 Programmable Step
Attenuators have undergone an extensive environmental
qualification program and have been subjected to
temperature, shock, vibration, and humidity conditions per
MIL-STD-202F. These programmable step attenuators
operate within these specifications at an ambient
temperature of -20° to +75°C. Operating beyond these
limits will adversely affect the accuracy and could damage
the internal circuitry.
For additional information on the 150 Series, visit our website @ www.weinschel.com/programmable.htm
Figue 1. Cell Schematic
5305 Spectrum Drive, Frederick, MD 21703-7362 TEL: 301-846-9222, 800-638-2048 Fax: 301-846-9116
web: www.weinschel.com email: sales@weinschel.com
153
4/30/02
VOLTAGE MODEL(S)
+ 24 V with 150-XX, 151-XX, 152-XX,
Viking Connector 152A-XX
+ 24 V with 150-XX-1, 151-XX-1, 152-XX-1
Ribbon Cable 152A-XX-1
+ 5 V with 150-XX-2, 151-XX-2, 152-XX-2
Viking Connector 152A-XX-2
+ 5 V with 150-XX-3, 151-XX-3, 152-XX-3
Ribbon Cable 152A-XX-3
Cell 1 Cell 2 Cell 3 Cell 4 Cell 5
ATTN Cells ATTN ATTN ATTN ATTN ATTN
Value No. Bypass Element Bypass Element Bypass Element Bypass Element Bypass Element
11 dB 4 0 dB 1 dB 0 dB 4 dB 0 dB 2 dB 0 dB 4 dB - - - - - -
15 dB 4 0 dB 1 dB 0 dB 8 dB 0 dB 2 dB 0 dB 4 dB - - - - - -
31 dB 5 0 dB 1 dB 0 dB 8 dB 0 dB 2 dB 0 dB 16 dB 0 dB 4 dB
55 dB 4 0 dB 5 dB 0 dB 10 dB 0 dB 20 dB 0 dB 20 dB - - - - - -
62 dB 5 0 dB 2 dB 0 dB 32 dB 0 dB 4 dB 0 dB 16 dB 0 dB 8 dB
70 dB 4 0 dB 10 dB 0 dB 20 dB 0 dB 20 dB 0 dB 20 dB - - - - - -
3 0 dB 10 dB 0 dB 40 dB 0 dB 20 dB - - - - - - - - - - - -
75 dB 4 0 dB 5 dB 0 dB 40 dB 0 dB 20 dB 0 dB 10 dB - - - - - -
90 dB 4 0 dB 10 dB 0 dB 30 dB 0 dB 20 dB 0 dB 30 dB - - - - - -
110 dB 4 0 dB 10 dB 0 dB 40 dB 0 dB 20 dB 0 dB 40 dB - - - - - -
Conn Round 5 6 9 10 7 8 11 12 3 4
PIN # Ribbon 13 2 3 9 11 5 4 10 8 7
Wire Round Violet Yellow Orange Blue Black Green Brown White - - - - - -
Color 3/4 Cell
Round Black White Green Orange Blue WHT/BLK RED/BLK GRN/BLK ORN/BLK BLU/BLK
5 Cell
Ribbon Orange Yellow Blue Brown Purple Black Gray White Orange yellow
Table provides standard attenuation ranges, increments, and cell configurations for all Weinschel Corporation Programmable Step
Attenuators (Models 150, 151, 152, & 152A)
150 Series Cell Configurations...
Specifications
NOMINAL IMPEDANCE: 50
FREQUENCY RANGE: Model 151: dc to 4 GHz
Model 150: dc to 18 GHz
Model 152: dc to 26.5 GHz
OPERATIONAL VOLTAGE: + 24V Nominal (+20V mini-
mum to +30V maximum) or +5V Nominal (+4V minimum* to
+7V maximum)
*Minimum operating voltage derated to +4.25 V @ 55°C and further
derated to +4.5 V @ 75°C
POWER RATING: 1 watt average, 100 watts peak
TEMPERATURE: -20° to +75°C operating
-55° to +85°C nonoperating
TEMPERATURE COEFFICIENT: < 0.0001 dB/dB/°C
POWER SENSITIVITY: < 0.001 dB/dB/ Watt
RATED SWITCH LIFE: 5 million cycles per cell
RF INPUT CONNECTORS: Rugged female 3.5 mm
connectors which mate nondestructively with SMA male
connectors per MIL-STD-39012.
CONTROL CONNECTOR: 12 pin Viking TKP12-101
connector with 5' cable or 14 conductor 16" ribbon cable
with connector (shown below):
SWITCHING SPEED: 20 msec (includes settling time)
CONTROL PULSE WIDTH: 20 msec (minimum)
SWITCHING CURRENT: 125 mA @ +24V per cell
300 mA @ +5V per cell
REPEATABILITY: +0.01 typical to 18 GHz
+0.05 dB typical to 26.5 GHz
VIBRATION: MIL-STD-202F, Method 204D Cond B
ALTITUDE: MIL-STD-202F, Method 105C Cond B,
50,000 Ft.
SHOCK: MIL-STD -202F, Method 213B Cond B,
except 10G, 6 msec
HUMIDITY: MIL-STD-202F, Method 103B,
Cond. B (96 Hrs. @ 95%, RH)
EMC: Radiated interference is within the requirements of
MIL-STD-461 method RE02, VDE 0871 and CISPR
Publication II.
VOLTAGE/CONNECTOR OPTIONS:
Ribbon Cable Models Round (Viking) Cable Models
5305 Spectrum Drive, Frederick, MD 21703-7362 TEL: 301-846-9222, 800-638-2048 Fax: 301-846-9116
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Frequency Attenuation Setting (dB)
Range (GHz) 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55
dc-4 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.6 0.6 0.7 0.7 0.8 1.0
4-12.4 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.7 0.8 0.9 0.9 1.0 1.3
12.4-18 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.8 1.0 1.1 1.1 1.2 1.6
18-26.5 0.5 0.5 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.9 1.2 1.4 1.4 1.5 2.0
Model 152-55:
Frequency Attenuation Setting (dB)
Range (GHz) 2 4 6 81012 14161820222426 28 3032
dc-4 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.6 0.6
4-12.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8
12.4-18 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.2 1.2
Model 150/151-62:
Frequency Attenuation Setting (dB)
Range (GHz)343638 404244 46485052545658 60 62
dc-4 0.6 0.6 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.9 0.9 0.9 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.2
4-12.4 1.0 1.0 1.1 1.1 1.3 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.8 1.8 1.8
12.4-18 1.4 1.4 1.6 1.6 1.8 1.8 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.4 2.4 2.4
Frequency Attenuation Setting (dB)
Range (GHz) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
dc-4 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5
4-12.4 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7
12.4-18 0.5 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8
18-26.5 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 0.9 0.9 1.0 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.1
Model 150/151/152-11 & 150/151/152-15:
Frequency Attenuation Setting (dB)
Range (GHz) 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75
dc-4 0.2 0.2 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.7 0.7 0.9 0.9 1.1 1.1 1.2 1.2 1.4
4-12.4 0.3 0.3 0.6 0.6 0.9 0.9 1.2 1.2 1.5 1.5 1.8 1.8 2.1 2.1 2.1
12.4-18 0.4 0.4 0.8 0.8 1.2 1.2 1.6 1.6 2.0 2.0 2.4 2.4 2.8 2.8 2.8
Model 150/151-75:
Frequency Attenuation Setting (dB)
Range (GHz)102030 405060 708090
dc-4 0.3 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 1.0 1.1 1.1 1.2
4-12.4 0.4 0.5 0.7 0.9 1.0 1.3 1.5 1.6 1.7
12.4-18 0.5 0.6 0.8 1.1 1.2 1.4 1.7 1.8 2.1
18-26.5 0.5 0.6 0.9 1.4 1.5 1.8 2.3 2.4 2.8
Model 152-70 & 152-90:
Frequency Attenuation Setting (dB)
Range (GHz) 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110
dc-4 0.2 0.3 0.5 0.7 0.9 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.7 1.9
4-12.4 0.4 0.7 0.9 1.2 1.5 1.8 2.1 2.4 2.7 3.0 3.0
12.4-18 0.4 0.8 1.2 1.6 2.0 2.4 2.8 3.2 3.6 4.0 4.0
18-26.5 0.6 0.7 0.9 1.5 1.6 2.2 2.9 --- --- --- ---
Model 150/151-70, 150/151-110, 152A-70:
Frequency Attenuation Setting (dB)
Range (GHz) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
dc-4 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5
4-12.4 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.6 0.6 0.7 0.6 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7
12.4-18 0.5 0.5 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.7 0.7 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.
Model 150/151-31:
Frequency Attenuation Setting (dB)
Rang(GHz)171819 202122 23242526272829 30 31
dc-4 0.5 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.8 0.8
4-12.4 0.8 0.8 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.9 1.1 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.1 1.1
12.4-18 0.9 0.9 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.1 1.1 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.3 1.3
MAXIMUM SWR (50 Characteristic Impedance):
Frequency (GHz)
APPLICABLE MODELS dc-4 4-18 18-26.5
151-11, 151-15, 151-31, 151-62, 1.50 - - - - - -
151-75, 151-110
150-11, 150-15, 150-31, 150-62, 1.50 1.90 - - -
150-75, 150-110
151-70 (3 cell) 1.35 - - - - - -
150-70 (3 cell) 1.35 1.70 - - -
152A-70 (3 cell) 1.40 1.70 1.80
152-55, 152-70, 152-90 1.40 1.60 1.80
ATTENUATION ACCURACY (+dB with respect to 0 dB reference):
MAXIMUM INSERTION LOSS (dB):
Frequency (GHz)
APPLICABLE MODELS dc-4 4-18 18-26.5
151-11, 151-15, 151-75, 151-110 0.90 - - - - - -
150-11, 150-15, 150-75, 150-110 0.90 2.20 - - -
151-31, 151-62 (5 cell) 1.10 - - - - - -
150-31, 150-62 (5 cell) 1.10 2.60* - - -
151-70 (3 cell) 0.70 - - - - - -
150-70 (3 cell) 0.70 1.60 - - -
152A-70 (3 cell) 0.90 2.00 2.98
152-55, 152-70, 152-90 0.90 2.00 2.98
*4-12.4 is 1.80, 12.4-18 is 2.60
5305 Spectrum Drive, Frederick, MD 21703-7362 TEL: 301-846-9222, 800-638-2048 Fax: 301-846-9116
web: www.weinschel.com email: sales@weinschel.com
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4/30/02
PHYSICAL DIMENSIONS:
Models 150, 151, & 152:
NOTE: All dimensions are given in mm (inches) and are maximum, unless otherwise specified.
DIM A B C
3 cell 82.6 (3.25) 76.2 (3.0) 104.6 (4.12)
4 cell 110.7 (4.36) 103.6 (4.06) 133.6 (5.25)
5 cell 136.9 (5.39) 129.8 (5.11) 159.5 (6.28)
5305 Spectrum Drive, Frederick, MD 21703-7362 TEL: 301-846-9222, 800-638-2048 Fax: 301-846-9116
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Frequency Range/ NO. Attenuator Range/Step Size
Voltage/Connector Cells 11/1 dB 15/1 dB 55/5 dB 31/1 dB 62/2 dB 70/10 dB 75/5 dB 90/10 dB 110/10 dB
dc-4 GHz/+24 V/ 4 151-11 151-15 N/A 151-75 N/A 151-110
Viking Connector 3 151-70
5 151-31 151-62
dc-18 GHz/+24 V/ 4 150-11 150-15 N/A 150-75 N/A 150-110
Viking Connector 3 150-70
5 150-31 150-62
dc-26.5 GHz/+24 V/ 4 N/A N/A 152-55 NA 152-70 N/A 152-90 N/A
Viking Connector 3 152A-70-2
dc-4 GHz/+24 V/ 4 151-11-1 151-15-1 N/A 151-75-1 N/A 151-110-1
Ribbon Cable 3 151-70-1
5 151-31-1 151-62-1
dc-18 GHz/+24 V/ 4 150-11-1 150-15-1 N/A 150-75-1 N/A 150-110-1
Ribbon Cable 3 150-70-1
5 150-31-1 150-62-1
dc-26.5 GHz/+24 V/ 4 152-11-1 152-15-1 152-55-1 N/A N/A 152-70-1 N/A 152-90-1 N/A
Ribbon Cable 3 152A-70-1
dc-4 GHz/+5 V/ 4 151-11-2 151-15-2 N/A 151-75-2 N/A 151-110-2
Viking Connector 3 151-70-2
5 151-31-2 N/A
dc-18 GHz/+5 V/ 4 150-11-2 150-15-2 N/A 150-75-2 N/A 150-110-2
Viking Connector 3 150-70-2
5 N/A N/A
dc-26.5 GHz/+5 V/ 4 N/A N/A 152-55-2 N/A N/A 152-70-2 N/A 152-90-2 N/A
Viking Connector 3 152A-70-2
dc-4 GHz/+5 V/ 4 151-11-3 151-15-3 N/A N/A 151-75-3 N/A 151-110-3
Ribbon Cable 3 151-70-3
5 N/A
dc-18 GHz/+5 V/ 4 150-11-3 150-15-3 N/A 150-75-1 N/A 150-110-3
Ribbon Cable 3 150-70-3
5 N/A N/A
dc-26.5 GHz/+5 V/ 4 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 152-70-3 N/A 152-90-3 N/A
Ribbon Cable 3 152A-70-3
150 Series Ordering Guide...
OPTIONAL CALIBRATION DATA: Calibration Data is
available at an additional cost for all programmable step
attenuator models. This calibration data is generated using a
computer controlled Weinschel Attenuation Measurement
System. Standard calibration data can be provided in 250
MHz steps for all dc-4 GHz models and in 500 MHz steps for
dc-18 and dc-26.5 GHz models. The measurements are
traceable to NIST Standards.
MODELS WITH BUILT-IN TTL/CMOS INTERFACE\
DRIVER CIRCUIT: Weinschel Corporation now offers new
versions of the 150 series with built-in TTL/CMOS interfaces.
This new generation of intelligent attenuators will greatly sim-
plify as well as provide an economical solution to 150 series
driver problems. Refer to Model 150T, 151T, and 152T data
sheet for more information.
ACCESSORIES