The Keysight Technologies (formerly Agilent) 84906L is a high-performance coaxial programmable step attenuator designed for precise signal level control up to 40 GHz. Employing high-stability tantalum nitride thin-film attenuation cards on sapphire substrates, it delivers exceptional repeatability, low SWR, and an outstanding switching life of over 5 million cycles per section. Its compact design is optimized for seamless integration into RF/microwave instrumentation and automated test equipment (ATE) systems.
Specifications
General
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Interfaces | 10-pin socket (programming connector) |
Physical
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Power Supply | 24 VDC nominal (optional 5 VDC or 15 VDC) |
| Operating Temperature | 0 to +55 °C |
| Dimensions (W×H×D) | 132.3 mm × 42.4 mm × 31.0 mm |
| Weight | 0.229 kg |
RF and Microwave Performance
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Frequency Range | DC to 40 GHz |
| Nominal Impedance | 50 Ω |
| Maximum VSWR (DC to 12.4 GHz) | 1.3 |
| Maximum VSWR (12.4 to 34 GHz) | 1.7 |
| Maximum VSWR (34 to 40 GHz) | 1.8 |
| Maximum Insertion Loss (at 0 dB) | 0.8 dB + 0.04 dB/GHz (2.4 dB at 40 GHz) |
| Maximum RF Input Power (Average) | 1 W |
| Maximum RF Input Power (Peak) | 100 W (with max 10 µs pulse width) |
| RF Connector Options | 2.4 mm female (Option 004) or 2.4 mm male/female (Option 101) |
Attenuation Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Attenuation Range | 0 to 90 dB |
| Attenuation Step Size | 10 dB |
| Attenuation Repeatability | 0.03 dB maximum over 5 million cycles |
| Attenuation Accuracy (DC to 12.4 GHz) | ±0.3 dB to ±1.6 dB (step-dependent) |
| Attenuation Accuracy (12.4 to 34 GHz) | ±0.7 dB to ±2.4 dB (step-dependent) |
| Attenuation Accuracy (34 to 40 GHz) | ±1.0 dB to ±3.4 dB (step-dependent) |
Electrical Control & Actuation
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Actuation Type | Latching solenoid |
| Switching Speed | 20 ms maximum |
| Switching Current (per Section) | 125 mA at 24 V, 325 mA at 5 V, 188 mA at 15 V |
| Coil Resistance | 190 Ω (24 V), 17 Ω (5 V), 80 Ω (15 V) |
Environmental & Reliability
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Storage Temperature Range | -40 to +75 °C |
| Switching Life | 5 million cycles per section |
Ordering Information & Factory Options
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Base Model Number | 84906L |
| Coil Voltage Option 011 | 5 V supply voltage |
| Coil Voltage Option 015 | 15 V supply voltage |
| Coil Voltage Option 024 | 24 V supply voltage (standard) |
| Calibration Option UK6 | Commercial calibration certificate with test data |
Environmental
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Operating Altitude | 4,570 m (15,000 ft) |
| Non-Operating Altitude | 7,620 m (25,000 ft) |
| Operating Humidity | 95% RH at 40 °C |
| Operating Shock | 10 g, 6 ms, half-sine |
| Non-operating Shock | 500 g, 1.8 ms, half-sine |
| Operating Vibration | 0.21 g grms, 5 to 500 Hz |
| Non-operating Vibration | 2.09 g grms, 5 to 500 Hz |
Inputs & Outputs
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Standard RF Connector Type | 2.4 mm female |
Performance
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Attenuator Sections | 4 sections (10, 20, 30, 30 dB) |
Interfaces & Drive
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Drive Connector | 10-pin male DIP connector |
| Drive Cable Option | Option 101: Ribbon cable with 14-pin DIP plug |
Power & Drive
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Option 011 Voltage Range | 4.5 to 7 V DC (5 V nominal) |
| Option 015 Voltage Range | 12 to 20 V DC (15 V nominal) |
| Option 024 Voltage Range | 20 to 30 V DC (24 V nominal) |
Technology
Thin-film tantalum nitride on sapphire substrate
Applications
RF & microwave signal level control, instrumentation, automated test equipment (ATE) systems