Calibration of Precision Step Attenuators

About this Article
This article by Bill Bruce was presented at the NCSL 1998 Symposium and published in the Proceedings. At that time the Test and Measurement business of Agilent Technologies was part of Hewlett-Packard.

Abstract

An automated parallel IF substitution system for precision attenuator calibration is described which has been in use for over 15 years and presents results of tests made on some very accurate attenuators. The calibration system was originally developed to meet the calibration needs of a step attenuator in a new synthesizer. Years of data have shown this attenuator to have phenomenal accuracy. The system has been continually refined and is now used for high-accuracy calibration of several other types of step attenuators. The data presented establishes confidence in the accuracy of the system and the attenuators.

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Attenuator Calibration