Attenuation control units for WiMAX, WLAN device testing

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Agilent Technologies has announced integrated attenuation control units operating in the DC to 6, 18 and 26.5 GHz frequency range.

The instruments feature up to 121 dB of attenuation with selectable step values and a programmable attenuation sweep function that enables user-defined sweep time, attenuation values and number of cycles. With this functionality, the LXI-compliant instruments are suitable for R&D and manufacturing engineers in wireless communications tasked with designing, validating and manufacturing WiMAX and WLAN components, as well as for mobile handset base transceiver station (BTS) handover test.

The J7211A/B/C attenuation control units feature less than 0.03 dB insertion loss repeatability per section over the unit's entire 5 million life cycle. The 0.03 dB insertion loss reduces the source of random errors which, in turn, improves measurement accuracy over the entire operating life of the instrument.

Designed in a half-rack, two-unit-high form factor, the unit features functionality that is easily accessible via soft keys and a front-panel rotary knob.

LXI Class C compliance provides LAN connectivity, making it easy to remotely control and trigger the instruments through a graphical web interface. The multiple connectivity capability also includes GPIB and USB, so the attenuation control unit can be quickly set up and easily integrated into any benchtop or ATE solution.