Issues in Selection of Attenuators for High Microwave Frequencies

Issues in Selection of Attenuators for High Microwave Frequencies

When selecting a coaxial attenuator for a microwave system above 18 GHz, there are several considerations that must be taken into account, in addition to the criteria used at lower frequencies. We'll address some of those issues here.

Of course it's always best to use the same connector as those used in the system; i.e. for a 2.92mm system use 2.92mm connectors, for 2.4mm systems use 2.4mm connectors, etc. However sometimes one must use what's at hand.

2.92mm attenuators and 2.4mm attenuators can be seen here and SMA attenuators here.

2.92mm and 3.5mm attenuators can be freely interchanged, keeping in mind that 2.92's are rated to 40gHz and 3.5's to 34 GHz. 1.85mm attenuators can be freely intermixed with 2.4mm attenuators, as long as one's aware that 2.4's operate to 50gHz, while 1.85mm attenuators work to 65 gHz. GPO's are considered compatible with smp's, gppo's and mini smp's and ssmp's may be intermixed.

SMA attenuators can be intermixed in 3.5mm and 2.92mm systems; BUT: be very careful that the SMA attenuator is in good condition. A misaligned pin in the SMA will damage the 3.5 or 2.92; it may not be visible, but narrow band frequency suckouts can occur. In an SMA connection, the pin is designed to mate before the threads; in a 2.92 or 3.5mm system the threads engage first. We don't recommend using SMA components in 2.92 or 3.5mm systems though have done that ourselves upon occasion.

Lower frequency components tend to have a wider selection than the higher frequency ones. If you need more power than you can find in higher frequency selections, or a different flange or bulkhead configuration, you can use the lower frequency unit as long as the frequency range is ok.

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