84904K

Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP)Attenuators, Step

The Keysight 84904K is a programmable coaxial step attenuator designed for high-frequency testing up to 26.5 GHz. It offers exceptional attenuation repeatability of better than 0.03 dB and an outstanding operating life of over 5 million switching cycles per section. Using tantalum nitride thin-film attenuation cards on sapphire substrates, it achieves high attenuation accuracy and low SWR across its entire frequency range, making it highly suitable for integration into automatic test equipment (ATE) and precision RF systems.

Microwave RF and Microwave Signal Attenuation

Specifications

General

Parameter	Value
Interfaces	10-pin socket programming connector

Physical

Parameter	Value
Power Supply	Solenoid: 24 V nominal (Option 024) / 15 V nominal (Option 015) / 5 V nominal (Option 011)
Operating Temperature	0 to +55 °C
Dimensions (W×H×D)	36.5 mm × 32.2 mm × 114.3 mm (excluding connectors and brackets)
Weight	0.229
Mounting Hole Thread	M3 × 0.5 (4.8 mm deep) and 4-40 UNC (4.8 mm deep)

RF Performance Specifications

Parameter	Value
Frequency Range	DC to 26.5 GHz
Attenuation Range	0 to 11 dB
Step Size	1 dB
Nominal Impedance	50 Ω
Insertion Loss (0 dB) Formula	0.8 dB + 0.04 dB/GHz
Insertion Loss (0 dB) at 26.5 GHz	< 1.86 dB
Maximum VSWR (DC to 12.4 GHz)	1.30
Maximum VSWR (12.4 to 26.5 GHz)	1.70
Maximum Input Power (Average)	1 W
Maximum Input Power (Peak)	100 W
Maximum Peak Power Pulse Width	10 µs
Maximum Peak Power Duty Cycle	0.001
RF Repeatability	0.03 dB (maximum)
Switching Life (Cycles per Section)	5 million
Number of Attenuator Sections	4
Section Attenuation Values	1, 2, 4, 4 dB
Attenuation Accuracy (1 to 2 dB, DC to 12.4 GHz)	±0.3 dB
Attenuation Accuracy (1 to 2 dB, 12.4 to 26.5 GHz)	±0.5 dB
Attenuation Accuracy (3 to 4 dB, DC to 12.4 GHz)	±0.4 dB
Attenuation Accuracy (3 to 4 dB, 12.4 to 26.5 GHz)	±0.6 dB
Attenuation Accuracy (5 to 6 dB, DC to 12.4 GHz)	±0.5 dB
Attenuation Accuracy (5 to 6 dB, 12.4 to 26.5 GHz)	±0.7 dB
Attenuation Accuracy (7 to 8 dB, DC to 12.4 GHz)	±0.6 dB
Attenuation Accuracy (7 to 8 dB, 12.4 to 26.5 GHz)	±0.8 dB
Attenuation Accuracy (9 to 10 dB, DC to 12.4 GHz)	±0.7 dB
Attenuation Accuracy (9 to 10 dB, 12.4 to 26.5 GHz)	±0.9 dB
Attenuation Accuracy (11 dB, DC to 12.4 GHz)	±0.8 dB
Attenuation Accuracy (11 dB, 12.4 to 26.5 GHz)	±1.0 dB

Electrical & Solenoid Control Specifications

Parameter	Value
Solenoid Nominal Operating Voltage	24 V (Option 024) / 15 V (Option 015) / 5 V (Option 011)
Solenoid Operating Voltage Range (24 V Option)	20 to 30 V
Solenoid Operating Voltage Range (15 V Option)	13 to 22 V
Solenoid Operating Voltage Range (5 V Option)	4.5 to 7 V
Solenoid Switching Current (24 V Option)	125 mA (per section)
Solenoid Switching Current (15 V Option)	188 mA (per section)
Solenoid Switching Current (5 V Option)	325 mA (per section)
Coil Resistance (24 V Option)	190 Ω
Coil Resistance (15 V Option)	80 Ω
Coil Resistance (5 V Option)	17 Ω
Switching Speed (Maximum)	20 ms
Recommended Drive Pulse Width	20 to 30 ms (nominal 20 ms)
Solenoid Common Terminal Configuration	Common Pin 1 (plus 4 section lines & 4 indicator lines)
Control Interface Connector Type	10-pin socket

Mechanical & Physical Specifications

Parameter	Value
RF Connector Type (Standard)	3.5 mm female (both ports)
RF Connector Option 101	3.5 mm male on port 1, 3.5 mm female on port 2
Control Connector Pin Count	10-pin
Mounting Position / Orientation	Any
Recommended RF Connector Torque	0.9 N·m (8 in-lb)

Environmental Specifications

Parameter	Value
Non-Operating (Storage) Temperature Range	-40 to +75 °C
Relative Humidity (Operating)	95% RH at 40 °C (non-condensing)
Operating Altitude	4,600 m (15,000 ft)
Non-Operating Altitude	15,300 m (50,000 ft)
Shock Survival (Non-Operating)	100 G, 6 ms

Ordering Information & Factory Options

Parameter	Value
Operating Voltage Option 024	24 V solenoid operating voltage
Operating Voltage Option 011	5 V solenoid operating voltage
Operating Voltage Option 015	15 V solenoid operating voltage
Connector Option 100	3.5 mm female RF connectors on both ends
Compatible Electronic Attenuator Driver Models	Keysight 11713B, Keysight 11713C

Performance

Parameter	Value
Maximum Insertion Loss (0 dB, DC to 12.4 GHz)	0.8 dB
Maximum Insertion Loss (0 dB, 12.4 to 18 GHz)	1.1 dB
Maximum Insertion Loss (0 dB, 18 to 26.5 GHz)	1.5 dB
Maximum VSWR (12.4 to 18 GHz)	1.7
Maximum VSWR (18 to 26.5 GHz)	1.8
Attenuation Accuracy (1 to 2 dB, 12.4 to 18 GHz)	±0.4 dB
Attenuation Accuracy (1 to 2 dB, 18 to 26.5 GHz)	±0.5 dB
Attenuation Accuracy (3 to 4 dB, 12.4 to 18 GHz)	±0.5 dB
Attenuation Accuracy (3 to 4 dB, 18 to 26.5 GHz)	±0.6 dB
Attenuation Accuracy (5 to 6 dB, 12.4 to 18 GHz)	±0.6 dB
Attenuation Accuracy (5 to 6 dB, 18 to 26.5 GHz)	±0.7 dB
Attenuation Accuracy (7 to 8 dB, 12.4 to 18 GHz)	±0.7 dB
Attenuation Accuracy (7 to 8 dB, 18 to 26.5 GHz)	±0.8 dB
Attenuation Accuracy (9 to 10 dB, 12.4 to 18 GHz)	±0.8 dB
Attenuation Accuracy (9 to 10 dB, 18 to 26.5 GHz)	±0.9 dB
Attenuation Accuracy (11 dB, 12.4 to 18 GHz)	±0.9 dB
Attenuation Accuracy (11 dB, 18 to 26.5 GHz)	±1.0 dB
Attenuation Temperature Coefficient	< 0.0001 dB/dB/°C

Options

Parameter	Value
RF Connector Option 004	3.5 mm female
Control Interface Option 008	8-inch ribbon cable with 14-pin DIP plug
Control Interface Option 016	16-inch ribbon cable with 14-pin DIP plug

Environmental

Parameter	Value
Operating Shock Survival	8 g (11 ms, half-sine)
Operating Vibration Survival	0.5 g (50 Hz to 2000 Hz)
Non-Operating Temperature Cycling	-55 °C to +85 °C (5 cycles)
Non-Operating Relative Humidity	95% RH @ 40 °C (for 5 days)

Power & Control

Parameter	Value
Solenoid Drive Style	Latching (pulsed)
Solenoid Latching	Magnetic latching

Inputs & Outputs

Parameter	Value
RF Connector Gender	Female (both ports)

Technology

Tantalum nitride thin-film on sapphire substrate

Applications

RF & microwave signal level control, receiver calibration, and integration into automated test equipment (ATE)