Patent ID: 7196566
Filing Date: 2007-03-27
Classification: H03H

Abstract:
1. A series variable attenuation device comprising: a resistive array having two or more input nodes, two or more output nodes, a first set of two or more resistive devices, each of said resistive devices of said first set coupling one of said input nodes with an associated one of said output nodes; and a second set of one or more resistive devices, each resistive device of said second set coupling one of said input nodes with another of said input nodes; a first switch having an input terminal and two or more selectable output terminals; wherein the input terminal is configured to receive an input signal and the two or more selectable output terminals are coupled to the two or more input nodes of the resistive array; and a second switch having two or more selectable input terminals and an output terminal; wherein the output terminal is configured to provide an attenuated output signal and the two or more selectable input terminals are coupled to the two or more output nodes of the resistive array; wherein the output terminal selected on the first switch and the input terminal selected on the second switch varies the resistance seen by the input signal, and the values of the resistive devices are configured to allow for substantially-uniform attenuation steps of the input signal.