Below are Frequently Asked Questions about RF ONE's fixed attenuators. If you need more information or have any other questions, please feel free to e-mail us at sales@rfone.cn or call us at 86-755-86705630. We will be very happy to assist you.
Does RF ONE offer low PIM attenuators?
Almost all of our catalog attenuators (RFH / RFHB series) meet the min PIM -110 dBc, typical -115 dBc (measured at 1800 MHz, 2*20 watts or 2*10 watts depending on the attenuator’s rated power). Min PIM -120 dBc attenuators are available by screening.
If customer needs lower PIM level such as 140 dBc, 150 dBc, 160 dBc, please visit our website page Low PIM Passive Components, where we specially list the low PIM attenuators, terminations, duplexers etc.
Can RF ONE provide conduction cooled attenuators?
If not specified otherwise, the attenuators on our catalog is self-cooled.
We also offer convection & conduction combined cooled attenuators with custom package size. For example, to suit customer’s mounting rack, we have built 150 watts and 250 watts attenuators with flat bottom (refer to below photo).
When customer needs purely conduction cooled attenuators without any heat sink, check with our sales for your specific requirements.
What attenuation values can RF ONE build?
We have been building ceramic attenuator chips in-house since 2002. Technically all dB values can be built.
RF ONE has shipped 0/1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10/11/12/13/14/15/20/30/40/50/60 dB attenuators. But please check with our sales if certain dB is available in stock for a selected model.
Does RF ONE provide both directional and bi-directional attenuators?
Bidirectional attenuators means the maximum rated power can be applied to either the input or output.
Unidirectional attenuators means the maximum rated power can only be applied to the input port. Unidirectional designs features smaller overall package sizes and reduced costs.
We have clearly specified the attenuator’s direction on the datasheet. 2 watts till 25 watts by default are bi-directional. 30 watts to 100 watts are available in both uni-directional and bi-directional types.
RF ONE always laser mark IN/OUT on the uni-directional attenuator ports.
What special attenuators are available from RF ONE?
RF ONE has high flexibility to offer customized attenuators. The special designs include but not limited to the below list:
1. Custom mixed connector Configurations, for example, 4.3-10 male as output, N female as input.
2. Rare attenuation values such as 0 dB, 11dB, 13 dB etc. are offered with no additional charge.
3. Lower VSWR & higher accuracy in a specified frequency range.
All of our attenuators are tested in VSWR and accuracy, test plots are provided for each shipment. If improved VSWR and accuracy are desired, contact our sales with your specific requirements.
4.Custom mounting holes or heat sink sizes available
5.Private label, customized laser markings available.
What resistors are applied to RF ONE’s attenuators?
Our DC-18 GHz attenuator chips are built from thick film processing.
Our mmWave attenuators use aluminum nitride chips which are by thin-film processing.
We only choose resistive and insulating materials with a similarly low CTE which can reduce the effect of significant reflections due to impedance change at high temperature.
High temperature firing technology on the chips (usually greater than 900 degree) is used to produce a reliable connection between paste and substrate, which results in a long-lasting high stability over temperature as well as over power and time.
What are the temperature coefficient of RF ONE’s attenuators?
Among the RF ONE’s vast fixed attenuator family which covers a frequency range of DC to 67GHz, and the power handling ranges from 2 watts to 2000 watts, the temperature coefficient is specified as 0.0004 dB/dB/°C
Does RF ONE use Pi-pad or T-pad layout for the attenuator chip?
For the range of DC-18 GHz, 2 watts to 500 watts attenuator, we use both Pi and T designs according to the attenuator's frequency range, dB value and power rates. Normally T layout produces a better frequency response in the case of smaller dB value, but the VSWR is worse. For the range of DC to 40 GHz till 67 GHz attenuators, we only use distributed PI network.
What is the warranty of RF ONE’s attenuators?
All high power attenuators (100 watts and higher) are warranted 12 months since ship date. Check our Terms and Conditions for detailed warranty policy.
What are the distinguishing advantages of RF ONE’s attenuators?
1.RF ONE’s fixed attenuators have no solder contacts. We use spring loaded plunger contacts to the resistor cards that provide expansion tolerance over wide temperature and power ranges.
2. RF ONE only uses high quality stainless steel or brass materials for the connectors which are machined to tight tolerances. The center contact pin is gold plated BeCu according to MIL-G-5024 to ensure reliable multiple matings.
3. Typical delivery for our catalog attenuators are 1 week delivery.
4. RF ONE offers the widest selection of coaxial fixed attenuators with 0-60 db, DC-110 GHz.
