The Keysight (Agilent) 8497K is a programmable coaxial step attenuator operating from DC to 26.5 GHz. It offers a 90 dB attenuation range in 10 dB steps, featuring high repeatability of 0.01 dB typical and an operating life of over 5 million cycles per section. Designed for automated RF and microwave testing systems, it employs 24 VDC solenoid drive coils and is compatible with the 11713 series attenuator/switch drivers.
Specifications
General
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Interfaces | 12-pin Viking (standard), optional 14-pin DIP |
Physical
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Power Supply | 24 VDC nominal (20 to 30 VDC operating range) |
| Operating Temperature | 0 to +55 °C |
| Dimensions (W×H×D) | 52 mm × 43 mm × 168 mm |
| Weight | 0.46 kg |
| Ribbon Cable Length Options | 8 in (Option 008) / 16 in (Option 016) |
| Individual Section Attenuation Values | 10 dB, 20 dB, 30 dB, 30 dB |
RF Performance
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Frequency Range | DC to 26.5 GHz |
| Attenuation Range | 0 to 90 dB |
| Attenuation Steps | 10 dB |
| Nominal Impedance | 50 Ω |
| Maximum Insertion Loss | 0.4 dB + 0.09 dB/GHz |
| Maximum VSWR (DC to 6 GHz) | 1.35 |
| Maximum VSWR (6 to 12.4 GHz) | 1.5 |
| Maximum VSWR (12.4 to 18 GHz) | 1.7 |
| Maximum VSWR (18 to 26.5 GHz) | 2.0 |
| Maximum RF Input Power (Average) | 1 W |
| Maximum RF Input Power (Peak) | 100 W |
| RF Peak Power Pulse Width | 10 µs |
| RF Peak Power Duty Cycle | 0.001 (0.1%) |
| Attenuation Repeatability (Maximum) | 0.03 dB |
| Attenuation Repeatability (Typical) | 0.01 dB |
| Expected Life (per section) | 5 million cycles |
| Attenuation Accuracy at 10 dB (DC to 6 GHz) | ±0.3 dB |
| Attenuation Accuracy at 10 dB (6 to 12.4 GHz) | ±0.5 dB |
| Attenuation Accuracy at 10 dB (12.4 to 18 GHz) | ±0.6 dB |
| Attenuation Accuracy at 10 dB (18 to 26.5 GHz) | ±0.7 dB |
| Attenuation Accuracy at 20 dB (DC to 6 GHz) | ±0.4 dB |
| Attenuation Accuracy at 20 dB (6 to 12.4 GHz) | ±0.6 dB |
| Attenuation Accuracy at 20 dB (12.4 to 18 GHz) | ±0.7 dB |
| Attenuation Accuracy at 20 dB (18 to 26.5 GHz) | ±0.8 dB |
| Attenuation Accuracy at 30 dB (DC to 6 GHz) | ±0.5 dB |
| Attenuation Accuracy at 30 dB (6 to 12.4 GHz) | ±0.7 dB |
| Attenuation Accuracy at 30 dB (12.4 to 18 GHz) | ±0.9 dB |
| Attenuation Accuracy at 30 dB (18 to 26.5 GHz) | ±1.0 dB |
| Attenuation Accuracy at 40 dB (DC to 6 GHz) | ±0.7 dB |
| Attenuation Accuracy at 40 dB (6 to 12.4 GHz) | ±1.0 dB |
| Attenuation Accuracy at 40 dB (12.4 to 18 GHz) | ±1.2 dB |
| Attenuation Accuracy at 40 dB (18 to 26.5 GHz) | ±1.4 dB |
| Attenuation Accuracy at 50 dB (DC to 6 GHz) | ±0.8 dB |
| Attenuation Accuracy at 50 dB (6 to 12.4 GHz) | ±1.2 dB |
| Attenuation Accuracy at 50 dB (12.4 to 18 GHz) | ±1.9 dB |
| Attenuation Accuracy at 50 dB (18 to 26.5 GHz) | ±2.1 dB |
| Attenuation Accuracy at 60 dB (DC to 6 GHz) | ±1.0 dB |
| Attenuation Accuracy at 60 dB (6 to 12.4 GHz) | ±1.4 dB |
| Attenuation Accuracy at 60 dB (12.4 to 18 GHz) | ±2.1 dB |
| Attenuation Accuracy at 60 dB (18 to 26.5 GHz) | ±2.4 dB |
| Attenuation Accuracy at 70 dB (DC to 6 GHz) | ±1.1 dB |
| Attenuation Accuracy at 70 dB (6 to 12.4 GHz) | ±1.6 dB |
| Attenuation Accuracy at 70 dB (12.4 to 18 GHz) | ±2.3 dB |
| Attenuation Accuracy at 70 dB (18 to 26.5 GHz) | ±2.6 dB |
| Attenuation Accuracy at 80 dB (DC to 6 GHz) | ±1.2 dB |
| Attenuation Accuracy at 80 dB (6 to 12.4 GHz) | ±1.8 dB |
| Attenuation Accuracy at 80 dB (12.4 to 18 GHz) | ±2.5 dB |
| Attenuation Accuracy at 80 dB (18 to 26.5 GHz) | ±2.8 dB |
| Attenuation Accuracy at 90 dB (DC to 6 GHz) | ±1.3 dB |
| Attenuation Accuracy at 90 dB (6 to 12.4 GHz) | ±2.0 dB |
| Attenuation Accuracy at 90 dB (12.4 to 18 GHz) | ±2.7 dB |
| Attenuation Accuracy at 90 dB (18 to 26.5 GHz) | ±3.0 dB |
Control and Drive Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Solenoid Nominal Voltage | 24 VDC |
| Solenoid Operating Voltage Range | 20 to 30 VDC |
| Solenoid Current (Switching) | 117 mA at 20 VDC (per section) |
| Coil Resistance | 185 Ω |
| Actuation Drive Type | Solenoid |
| Switching Speed (Maximum) | 20 ms (including contact settling) |
Mechanical and Physical Characteristics
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| RF Port 1 Connector Type | 3.5 mm female |
| RF Port 2 Connector Type | 3.5 mm female |
| Expected Actuation Life | 5 million cycles per section |
| Mounting Configuration | Any position |
Environmental Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Operating Temperature Range | 0 to +55 °C |
| Storage Temperature Range | -40 to +75 °C |
Options and Configuration
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Calibration Certificate Option | Option 890 (NIST traceable SWR and attenuation data) |
| Compatible Electronic Drivers | Agilent 11713A/B/C attenuator/switch driver |
Performance
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Attenuator Sections | 4 sections (10, 20, 30, 30 dB) |
| Power Sensitivity | < 0.001 dB/W |
Control & Connectivity
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Control Connector Options | 12-pin Viking (Option 060) / 16-pin ribbon cable (Option 016) |
Environmental
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Operating Altitude | up to 4,600 m |
| Non-Operating Altitude | up to 15,200 m |
| Relative Humidity | 95% RH @ 40 °C |
| Operating Shock | 10 g (6 ms, half-sine) |
| Non-Operating Shock | 500 g (1.8 ms, half-sine) |
| Operating Vibration | 0.31 g (rms), 5 to 500 Hz |
| Non-Operating Vibration | 2.41 g (rms), 5 to 2000 Hz |
Solenoid Control
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Solenoid Coil Resistance (5 V Option) | 17 Ω |
| Solenoid Coil Resistance (15 V Option) | 80 Ω |
| Solenoid Coil Resistance (24 V Option) | 190 Ω |
| Solenoid Switching Current (5 V Option) | 325 mA |
| Solenoid Switching Current (15 V Option) | 188 mA |
| Solenoid Switching Current (24 V Option) | 125 mA |
| Solenoid Operating Voltage Range (5 V Option) | 4.5 to 7 V |
| Solenoid Operating Voltage Range (15 V Option) | 12 to 20 V |
| Solenoid Operating Voltage Range (24 V Option) | 20 to 30 V |
| Solenoid Duty Cycle (Maximum) | Continuous |
| Solenoid Actuation Pulse Duration (Minimum) | 20 ms |
| Solenoid Actuation Pulse Duration (Maximum) | Continuous |
Technology
Coaxial Step Attenuator
Applications
RF/Microwave signal level control, automated test systems