The Keysight (formerly Agilent HP) 84906K is a high-performance programmable electromechanical step attenuator designed for coaxial measurements from DC up to 26.5 GHz. It offers outstanding repeatability of better than 0.03 dB and a long operating life of over 5 million switching cycles per section. Featuring thin-film sapphire substrate attenuation cards, it delivers exceptional attenuation accuracy and extremely low SWR across its entire 0 to 90 dB range in 10-dB steps. Its compact footprint, 35% smaller than the legacy 8495/7 family, makes it ideal for seamless integration into ATE systems and RF instrumentation.
Specifications
General
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Interfaces | 10-pin programming connector socket |
Physical
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Power Supply | 24 VDC nominal (Option 024) / 15 VDC (Option 015) / 5 VDC (Option 011) |
| Operating Temperature | 0 to 55 |
| Dimensions (W×H×D) | 41.3 × 41.3 × 137.4 |
| Weight | 0.291 |
RF Performance Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Frequency Range | DC to 26.5 GHz |
| Attenuation Range | 0 to 90 dB |
| Attenuation Step Size | 10 dB |
| Nominal Impedance | 50 Ω |
| Maximum VSWR (DC to 12.4 GHz) | 1.3 |
| Insertion Loss at 0 dB | 0.8 dB + 0.04 dB/GHz |
| Insertion Loss at 26.5 GHz | < 2.0 dB (typically 1.86 dB) |
| Maximum RF Input Power (Average) | 1 W |
| Maximum RF Input Power (Peak) | 100 W (pulse width <= 10 microseconds) |
| Attenuation Accuracy (at 10 dB, DC to 18 GHz) | ±0.5 dB |
| Attenuation Accuracy (at 10 dB, 18 to 26.5 GHz) | ±0.6 dB |
| Attenuation Accuracy (at 20 dB, DC to 18 GHz) | ±0.5 dB |
| Attenuation Accuracy (at 20 dB, 18 to 26.5 GHz) | ±0.6 dB |
| Attenuation Accuracy (at 30 dB, DC to 18 GHz) | ±0.6 dB |
| Attenuation Accuracy (at 30 dB, 18 to 26.5 GHz) | ±0.8 dB |
| Attenuation Accuracy (at 40 dB, DC to 18 GHz) | ±0.7 dB |
| Attenuation Accuracy (at 40 dB, 18 to 26.5 GHz) | ±1.0 dB |
| Attenuation Accuracy (at 50 dB, DC to 18 GHz) | ±0.8 dB |
| Attenuation Accuracy (at 50 dB, 18 to 26.5 GHz) | ±1.2 dB |
| Attenuation Accuracy (at 60 dB, DC to 18 GHz) | ±1.0 dB |
| Attenuation Accuracy (at 60 dB, 18 to 26.5 GHz) | ±1.4 dB |
| Attenuation Accuracy (at 70 dB, DC to 18 GHz) | ±1.1 dB |
| Attenuation Accuracy (at 70 dB, 18 to 26.5 GHz) | ±1.6 dB |
| Attenuation Accuracy (at 80 dB, DC to 18 GHz) | ±1.2 dB |
| Attenuation Accuracy (at 80 dB, 18 to 26.5 GHz) | ±1.8 dB |
| Attenuation Accuracy (at 90 dB, DC to 18 GHz) | ±1.4 dB |
| Attenuation Accuracy (at 90 dB, 18 to 26.5 GHz) | ±2.0 dB |
| Attenuation Card Substrate Material | Tantalum nitride thin-film on sapphire substrate |
Electrical & Control Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Actuation Type | Solenoid (Electromechanical) |
| Solenoid Current per Section (24V) | 117 mA |
| Switching Speed (Maximum) | 20 ms |
Mechanical & Physical Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| RF Input/Output Connector Options | 3.5 mm female (standard) or 3.5 mm male/female combo |
| Control Interface Connector Type | 10-pin socket |
Reliability & Durability
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Switching Life (Minimum) | 5 million cycles per section |
| Attenuation Repeatability over Lifetime | 0.03 dB maximum |
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Number of Attenuator Sections | 4 |
Environmental
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Non-operating Temperature Range | -40 to +75 °C |
| Operating Altitude | 4,570 m |
| Non-operating Altitude | 15,240 m |
| Relative Humidity | 95% RH at 40 °C for 5 days |
| Environmental Compliance | MIL-STD-202 |
Connectivity
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| RF Connector Types | 3.5 mm female (Option 004) or 3.5 mm male/female (Option 008) |
| Control Connector Options | 10-pin ribbon cable (Option 016) or 12-pin Viking (Option 060) |
Power
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Solenoid Supply Voltage (Nominal) | 24 V (20 to 30 V) |
| Solenoid Supply Voltage (Optional 15V) | 15 V (13 to 22 V) |
| Solenoid Supply Voltage (Optional 5V) | 5 V (4.5 to 7 V) |
| Solenoid Current per Section (15V) | 188 mA |
| Solenoid Current per Section (5V) | 325 mA |
| Solenoid Coil Resistance (24V) | 190 Ω |
| Solenoid Coil Resistance (15V) | 80 Ω |
| Solenoid Coil Resistance (5V) | 15 Ω |
RF Performance
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum VSWR (DC to 4 GHz) | 1.25 |
| Maximum VSWR (4 to 12.4 GHz) | 1.45 |
| Maximum VSWR (12.4 to 18 GHz) | 1.60 |
| Maximum VSWR (18 to 26.5 GHz) | 1.80 |
| Maximum Insertion Loss (DC to 12.4 GHz) | 0.8 dB |
| Maximum Insertion Loss (12.4 to 18 GHz) | 1.2 dB |
| Maximum Insertion Loss (18 to 26.5 GHz) | 1.6 dB |
Technology
Electromechanical Coaxial Step Attenuator
Applications
RF and microwave signal level control, ATE system integration, and test instrumentation
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