Abstract: Apparatus and a method are disclosed for providing a microwave attenuator system using distributed (transmission line) reactive elements to achieve a reduction in the transmitted electrical signal amplitude. The attenuator system includes a fixed attenuator unit and an adjustable attenuator unit. The fixed attenuator unit contains a "T" resistive attenuator component. Transmission line resonator components are added to the attenuator component to provide frequency selectively. The transmission line resonator components are coupled to the resistive attenuator component in such a way as not to compromise the impedance match of the transmission line. The step adjustable loss component includes shunt transmission lines coupled to the center conductor of the transmission line by means of a spring contacting mechanism. The shunt transmission lines include preselected resistive elements.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 13, 1991
Date of Patent:
March 16, 1993
Assignee:
Semflex, Inc.
Inventors:
Helmut Bacher, Clyfton W. Bourne, Jr., Bradley Knott