Patent ID: 9479200
Filing Date: 2016-10-25
CPC Classification: H03H,H04B

Claim Text:
1. A programmable step attenuator, comprising: a first diplexer, wherein the first diplexer comprises an input, a first output and a second output, wherein the first diplexer is configured to: a plurality of pin-diode switches coupled to the first output of the first diplexer, wherein the plurality of pin-diode switches operate as a first step attenuator for the signal if the signal is in the first portion of the frequency spectrum; a plurality of radio frequency (RF) micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) switches, coupled to the second output of the first diplexer, wherein the plurality of RF MEMS switches operate as a second step attenuator for the signal if the signal is in the second portion of the frequency spectrum; and a second diplexer comprising a first input, a second input, and an output, wherein the first input is coupled to the first step attenuator, and wherein the second input is coupled to the second step attenuator, wherein the second diplexer is configured to output a step attenuated signal from either the first or second portion of the frequency spectrum.