The Keysight (formerly Agilent / HP) 8494A is a precision manual step attenuator operating from DC to 4 GHz. It provides up to 11 dB of attenuation in 1 dB steps and offers exceptional reliability with an operating life exceeding 5 million cycles per section. It is designed for RF and microwave test systems requiring high accuracy and a very high attenuation repeatability of 0.03 dB maximum.
Specifications
Physical
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Operating Temperature | 0 to 55 |
| Weight | 0.425 |
General Characteristics
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Actuation Method | Manual |
| Frequency Range | DC to 4 GHz |
Attenuation Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Attenuation Range | 0 to 11 dB |
| Attenuation Step Size | 1 dB |
| Insertion Loss (at 0 dB) | 0.6 dB + 0.09 dB/GHz |
| Attenuation Repeatability | 0.03 dB max (0.01 dB typical) |
Signal Integrity & Power Handling
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum SWR | 1.5 |
| Maximum Average Input Power | 1 W |
| Maximum Peak Input Power | 100 W |
Drive & Switching Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Operating Life (Switching Cycles) | > 5,000,000 cycles per section |
Mechanical & Physical Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| RF Connector Type | Type-N (f), SMA (f), or APC-7 (option dependent) |
Performance
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Impedance | 50 Ω |
| Directionality | Bi-directional |
General
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Attenuator Sections | 4 sections (1, 2, 4, 4 dB) |
Environmental
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Storage Temperature | -40 to 75 °C |
| Operating Humidity | Up to 95% relative humidity to 40 °C |
| Shock (Non-operating) | 50 G, 11 ms, half-sine |
Technology
RF / Microwave
Applications
Signal Attenuation