Pickering PXI 41-181 User manual

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2.3GHz ProGrammable SteP attenuator module 41-181
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USER MANUAL
2.3GHz PROGRAMMABLE STEP ATTENUATOR MODULE
(MODEL No. 41-181)
Issue E July 2012
www.pickeringtest.com
pickering
ISO 9002
Reg No. FM38792
NOTE: Provided for information only.
Use 41-180 for all new requirements.

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© COPYRIGHT (2012) PICKERING INTERFACES. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, translated or stored in any form, or
by any means without the written permission of Pickering Interfaces.
Technical details contained within this publication are subject to change without notice.

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TECHNICAL SUPPORT
For Technical Support please contact Pickering Interfaces either by phone, fax, the website or via e-mail.
WARRANTY
All products manufactured by Pickering Interfaces are warranted against defective materials and workmanship for a
period of two years, excluding PXI chassis, from the date of delivery to the original purchaser. Any product found to be
defective within this period will, at the discretion of Pickering Interfaces be repaired or replaced.
Products serviced and repaired outside of the warranty period are warranted for ninety days.
Extended warranty and service are available. Please contact Pickering Interfaces by phone, fax, the website or via
e-mail.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
Pickering Interfaces operates under an environmental management system similar to ISO 14001.
Pickering Interfaces strives to full all relevant environmental laws and regulations and reduce wastes and releases
to the environment. Pickering Interfaces aims to design and operate products in a way that protects the environment
and the health and safety of its employees, customers and the public. Pickering Interfaces endeavours to develop
and manufacture products that can be produced, distributed, used and recycled, or disposed of, in a safe and
environmentally friendly manner.
Observe the Electrostatic Sensitive Device Caution detailed in Section 8.
Worldwide Technical Support and Product Information
http://www.pickeringtest.com
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Copyright Statement .......................................................... ii
Technical Support and Warranty....................................... iii
Contents (this page)........................................................... v
Section 1
Introduction......................................................................... 1.1
Section 2
Technical Specication...................................................... 2.1
Section 3
Installation........................................................................... 3.1
Section 4
Programming ...................................................................... 4.1
Section 5
Connector Pin Outs............................................................ 5.1
Section 6
Troubleshooting ................................................................. 6.1
Section 7
General Description ........................................................... 7.1
Section 8
Warnings and Cautions ..................................................... 8.1
CONTENTS

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Section 1 - introduction
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SECTION 1 - INTRODUCTION
GENERAL
The 41-181 Programmable 0 to 63 dB Attenuator Module which forms part of the System 40 PXI RF Instrumentation
range comprises either one or two independently programmable attenuators in a single width 3U PXI module. Each
attenuator comprises seven attenuator pads ranging in value from 1 dB to 16dB. A combination of attenuator pads
are mechanically switched-in to provide attenuation values from 0 to 63 dB in 1 dB steps.
The module is provided in the following versions:
•41-181-021 Single Attenuator, 63 dB range, 1dB Step, 0Mhz to 2.3Ghz 50 Ohm SMA Connector.
•41-181-022 Dual Attenuator, 63 dB range, 1dB Step, 0Mhz to 2.3Ghz 50 Ohm SMA Connector.

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Section 2 - SPeciFicAtion
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SECTION 2 - SPECIFICATION
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS
Frequency range: DC to 2.3 GHz
Maximum Input Power: 1 Watt continuous
Input Impedance: 50 ohms, DC coupled
VSWR (SMA connector): Less than 1.5, Typically less than 1.3
Typical Crosstalk Versus Frequency With No Attenuation Set
ATTENUATION
The attenuator is made up 1, 2, 4, 8 and 16 (3 off) switched pads, attenuator set to 0 dB with no power applied.
Insertion Loss (0 dB set): Typically 3.6 dB at 2.3 GHz
Attenuation Range: 0 to 63 dB in 1 dB steps relative to 0 dB condition
Attenuation Accuracy (individual pads measured in 50 ohm system referenced to 0 dB condition):
Attenuator Pad DC to 1 GHz at 3 GHz
1 dB ±0.05 dB ±0.15 dB
2 dB ±0.05 dB ±0.1 dB
4 dB ±0.2 dB ±0.25 dB
8 dB ±0.15 dB ±0.3 dB
16 dB ±0.2 dB ±0.65 dB

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Typical Insertion Loss Versus Frequency (0 dB Set)
Attenuation accuracy versus frequency, 8 dB set.