Keysight Technologies
84904, 6, 7K/L Programmable
Step Attenuators

Data SheetIntroduction
High Accuracy, Excellent Reliability, Long Life
Features and description–– DC to 26.5 GHz, DC to 40 GHz frequency coverage–– Optional calibration data–– 0 to 11 dB, 70 dB, 90 dB–– 1 dB steps, 10 dB steps–– High accuracy–– Excellent reliability, long life–– Exceptionally low insertion loss
These attenuators offer typical repeatability of ±0.03 dB max 5 million cycles per section.
This family of programmable step attenuators offers coaxial measurements to 26.5 GHz (K models)or to 40 GHz (L models), in a compact, rugged design. The first model in this family is the KeysightTechnologies, Inc. 84906K/L, which offers outstanding performance with an attenuation range of 0 to
90 dB in 10 dB steps. Other models include the Keysight 84904K/L, with 0 to 11 dB of attenuation in
1 dB steps, and the Keysight 84907K/L, with 0 to 70 dB of attenuation in 10 dB steps.
This latest design evolution sets new standards for size and performance. High attenuation accuracy
and low SWR are achieved through the use of miniature thin-film attenuation cards composed ofhigh-stability tantalum nitride film on a sapphire substrate. Insertion loss performance is outstanding,with less than 2 dB of loss at 26.5 GHz and only 2.4 dB at 40 GHz (figure 1).
The compact size of the units, 35% smaller than the 8495/7 (26.5 GHz) family, allows for easy
integration into instruments and ATE systems.
This family of step attenuators offers three connector types. For operation to 40 GHz, the 84904/6/7L
models offer either the 2.4 mm connector, which is recommended for top performance and for rugged
and repeatable connections, or the 2.92 mm connector, which is compatible with SMA and 3.5 mm
connectors but is more delicate. For operation to 26.5 GHz,
the 84904/6/7K models offer the 3.5 mm connector. Thisconnector is compatible with SMA and 2.92 connectors, but
is more rugged. Each model in the 84904/6/7K and L family
comes with two female connectors (standard) or may beordered with one female and one male connector for easy
insertion into a microwave chain or to combine the 1 dB
step 84904 with a 10 dB step 84906 or 84907 to coveran attenuation range of 121 dB or 81 dB in 1 dB steps.
Individual calibration data reports of attenuation and
SWR are available. This data, measured with a Keysightautomatic network analyzer, can be ordered as
Option 8490XX-UK6.

Figure 1. Insertion loss

Attenuation switching
and control
These units feature the same small
solenoids and switching circuits as theKeysight 8494/5/6/7 step attenuatorfamily. Switching time is a maximum of
20 milliseconds, including contact settling
time. Once switched, the units arelatched with permanent magnets, capableof withstanding shocks over 10 Gs.
The solenoids automatically disconnect
after switching, which minimizes theattenuators’ power requirements andsimplifies the driver circuit design(figure 3). Solenoids are available in either
24 volt (standard, Option 8490xx-024),
15 volt (Option 8490xx-015), and 5 volt
(Option 8490xx-011) ranges to fit yourinstrument or system requirements.
The units come equipped with 10-pin
DIP headers for connecting dc control
lines. Available accessories include a
203 mm (8 inch) or 406 mm (16 inch)
ribbon cable with DIP-type connectorsthat is compatible with standard 14-pin
DIP IC sockets (11764-60002 or 1176460003, respectively). Alternatively, a1524 mm (5 foot) cable with free wires
for direct soldering (11764-60001), ora 1524 mm (5 foot) drive cable thatconnects to the 11713B/C attenuator/
switch driver, allowing for easy integration
into GPIB-controlled automatic test
systems (11764-60004), may be ordered.

Selection switching
Figure 2 shows one attenuator section
schematic. Each section utilizes one
solenoid with dual coil windings, one
coil to switch in the attenuator card(e.g. 10 dB) and one coil to switch in thethru line (0 dB).

Figure 2. Section electrical diagram

As a section is switched, the internal
contacts of the activated coil open, thus
shutting off current flow. At the sametime, the internal contacts for the othercoil close so that it can be activatedwhen desired. Figure 3 shows a sectionthat has been switched to the attenuatorcard position (note the closed thru line
coil contact). The switching is “breakbefore-make” type, thus a momentaryinterruption of the RF signal occurs at
switching.
Although all sections can be switchedsimultaneously, the attenuator driver
must not allow both pins of the same
section (e.g. Section 1, pins 1 and 2) tobe activated concurrently, or else that
section would cycle rapidly. All terminals
are “floating,” so bipolar or unipolar
power supplies can be used.

With positive voltage applied to thecommon pin, the state (attenuator card or
thru line) of a particular section isdetermined by connecting its attenuatorcard pin or thru pin to a negative voltage
or ground. Figure 4 defines the pin
assignments and wire color code for the11764-60001/60002/60003 drive cables.
Table 1 is a solenoid drive pin andattenuation guide. Table 2 (on page 5)
defines recommended attenuator section
activation.

Figure 3. Driver and indicator circuits for one section of a Keysight 84904, 6, 7 K/LTypical driver circuit
Figure 3 shows an economical TTL
compatibility driver circuit for a single
attenuation section which utilizes and
IC relay driver and an inverter. A TTL“HI” input to the driver switches in
the attenuation card, while a “LO” will
activate the thru line for that section.
This provides a complimentary driver forthe section which assures that only one
solenoid of the pair is activated at a time.
Diode protection is required to protect the
IC from the solenoid voltage flyback.
Switch position can be indicated remotely
by utilizing the open and closed statesof the internal coil contacts. Connected
at A and B in figure 3 are two indicator
circuits, one providing a TTL output andone that activates an LED. These circuits
will output a TTL “HI” (LED lamp “ON”)
if the attenuation card is in the RF circuit,and will output a TTL “LO” (LED lamp
“OFF”) if the thru line is in the RF circuit.
Since current is drawn through the coilfor these circuits, inadvertent switching isprevented by limiting the current to 5 mA.
Keysight assumes no responsibility for theuse of any circuits described herein andmakes no representation or warranties,
express or implied, that such circuits arefree from patent infringement.

Figure 4. Attenuator switching pinout

Drive Cables
11764-60001

10 pin DIP to 60”
long ribbon cable11764-60002

10 pin DIP to
14 pin DIP, 8” long

11764-60003

10 pin DIP to
14 pin DIP, 16” long

11764-60004

10 pin DIP to 12 pin
Viking connector,
60” long. Used with
11713A driver

11764-60006

10 pin DIP to(4) 4 pin BERG
connectors, 30” long.
Used with 87130A
or 70611A driver4

Table 1. Solenoid pin and attenuation guide
Section:Section 1

Section 2

Section 3

Section 4

Model Number

Thru Line

Attn Card

Thru Line

Attn Card

Thru Line

Attn Card

Thru Line

Attn Card

Attenuation (dB)

0

10

0

20

0

30

0

30

Actuating pin

1

2

5

8

4

9

6

7

11764-60004 plug
Pin number

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

11764-60002/60003
flat Header pin number

13

2

11

5

3

9

4

10

Attenuation (dB)

0

10

0

20

0

40

Actuating pin

1

2

5

8

4

9

11764-60004 plug
Pin number

5

6

7

8

9

10

11764-60002/60003 flat
Header pin number
13

2

11

5

3

9

84906K/L

84907K/L

84904K/L
Attenuation (dB)

0

1

0

2

0

4

0

4

Actuating pin

1

2

5

8

4

9

6

7

11764-60004 plug
Pin number

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

11764-60002/60003 flat
Header pin number
13

2

11

5

3

9

4

10

Pin 10 is +V Supply

Table 2. Attenuator section activation guide
Recommended switching sequence: The following switching sequence (ie. which 30 dB section to use for the 84906K/L or which
4 dB section for the 84904K/L should be followed to insure performance to specs.
Attenuation selected
84906K/L

0 dB

Section 1 (10 dB)

10 dB

20 dB

30 dB

X

Section 2 (20 dB)

40 dB

50 dB

X
X
X

X

X

Section 4 (30 dB)
0 dB

Section 1 (10 dB)

10 dB

20 dB

X

Section 2 (20 dB)

30 dB

Section 1 (1 dB)
Section 2 (2 dB)
Section 3 (4 dB)

0 dB

1 dB

50 dB

2 dB

X

3 dB

X

X

X

X

60 dB

70 dB

8 dB

9 dB

X
X

X
X

4 dB

5 dB

6 dB

7 dB

X
X

Section 4 (4 dB)

X

X

X

X

X
X

X

X

X

90 dB

X

X
X
X

80 dB

X

X

X

Section 3 (40 dB)
84904K/L

40 dB

X
X

70 dB
X

X

Section 3 (30 dB)
84907K/L

60 dB

10 dB

X
X

X

X

X

11 dB
X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Switching notes: Pins relate to 10-pin attenuator header as shown (Table 1), NOT terminating connector on any attached drive cable.
Solenoids are magnetic latching type; drive voltage may be removed after switching. Current is self-interrupting in less than 20 ms.
5GPIB attenuator/
switch driver

Optional calibration data
for the Keysight 84904/6/7

Employing programmable step attenuatorsand switches in an automatic test system
becomes an easy task when theKeysight 11713B/C attenuator/switch
driver is specified into the system.

Use of calibration data (i.e., accuracy,
recorded, data of a device’s characteristics) has always been an effective meansof reducing measurement uncertainty at
RF and microwave frequencies. Step
attenuators have long been used as
reference standards in the measurementof gain, attenuation, and receiver sensitivity. Since the accuracy specifications
include margins for frequency response
and unit-to-unit variations, calibration
data can improve overall measurement
uncertainty.

The 11713B/C has all of the necessary
features to provide GPIB, USB, or
LAN control of up to four programmableattenuators of the 84904/6/7 series, andconcurrently up to four electromechanicalswitches (e.g., the 8671B or 8762 Series).
The 11713B/C includes an integral power
supply (with short circuit protection) thatcan simultaneously provide 125 milliamps
at 24 volts to all contacts for control of
the attenuators and switches, so no
external power supply is needed.
Connecting between the 11713B/C andthe 84904/6/7 step attenuators is easy
with the 11764-60004 drive cable.
The 11713B/C also features convenient
front panel keys so the user can manuallyactivate the individual attenuation
sections and switches when in the“local” mode. Switching time for thedrivers is less than 10 milliseconds.

Calibration data is available as
Option 8490xx-UK6 and is generated
from measurements made by a
Keysight network analyzer.

Option 8490xx-UK6 provides a tabular listof attenuation and reflection coefficientsin 250 MHz steps from 1500 MHz to 40
GHz. Measurements are traceable to
NIST (National Institute of Standards
and Technology, formerly NBS) standards
and feature very low measurement
uncertainties (See tables 3 and 4).
For devices with option 8490xx-006 andoption 8490xx-106, option 8490xx-UK6 and
NIST traceability are not available.

Table 3.
Keysight 84904/6/7K/L
reflection coefficient data
uncertainty
Frequency Range (GHz)dc to 12.4

± .01714.4 to 26.5

± .02326.5 to 34± .02534 to 40

± .028

Table 4.
Keysight 84904/6/7K/L attenuation data uncertainties
Attenuation (dB)dc to 20 GHz

20 to 26.5 GHz

26.5 to 40 GHz0± 0.12± 0.12± 0.1510± 0.16± 0.24± 0.3020± 0.16± 0.25± 0.3030± 0.17± 0.30± 0.3040± 0.32± 0.47± 0.3050± 0.36± 0.54± 0.3060± 0.36± 0.54± 0.3070± 0.52± 0.72± 0.3580± 0.50± 0.52± 0.6090± 0.66± 0.91± 1.05

6

Attenuator Setting
Attenuation accuracy (±dB; referenced from 0 dB setting):
84907K/L
84906K/L
Attenuator setting

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

Frequency range dc to 40 GHz2

0.5

0.6

0.7

1.0

1.2

1.6

1.8

2.7

2.9

Attenuator setting (dB)

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

dc to 18 GHz

0.35

0.45

0.55

0.55

0.55

0.55

0.60

0.60

0.65

0.70

0.80

18 to 26.5 GHz

0.40

0.50

0.70

0.70

0.70

0.70

0.80

0.80

0.85

0.90.

1.10

26.5 to 40 GHz

0.60

0.60

0.80

0.80

0.80

0.90

1.10

1.10

1.20

1.30

1.50

84904K/L
Frequency range

2

1. Step-to-step accuracy is the maximum variation from the nominal step size when changing attenuation values. It is a second specification on accuracy, and is used in
combination with the absolute accuracy specifications to limit maximum allowable variation from nominal. Typical step-to-step accuracy for the 84906L and 84907L is±0.6 dB to 26.5 GHz, ±0.9 dB to 40 GHz; for the 84904L is ±0.3 to 26.5 GHz, ±0.4 to 40 GHz.
2. Attenuation accuracy to 26.5 GHz for K models.

Specifications
Insertion loss

(in dB 0 dB position, f = freq. in GHz)

84904K/L
84906K/L
84907K/L(0.8 + 0.04xf)(0.8 + 0.04xf)(0.6 + 0.03xf)

SWR

Connector Option

dc to12.4 GHz 34 GHz to12.4 GHz to 34 GHz 40 GHz

84904Lwith 101

1.3

1.7

1.8

84904Lwith 006

1.5

1.984904Lwith 1001.3

1.784904Lwith 1061.584906Lwith 101

1.384906Lwith 006

84906L
84906L

Connector Option

dc to12.4 GHz

12.4 GHz
to 34 GHz

84904K

004

1.3

1.7

2.0

84904K

104

1.3

1.7

1.8

84906K

004

1.3

1.7

1.9

2.0

84906K

104

1.3

1.7

1.7

1.8

84907K

004

1.25

1.5

1.5

1.9

2.0

84907K

004

1.25

1.5

with 100

1.3

1.7

1.8

with 106

1.5

1.9

2.0

84907Lwith 101

1.25

1.5

1.7

84907Lwith 006

1.4

1.7

1.9

84907Lwith 100

1.25

1.5

1.7

84907Lwith 106

1.4

1.7

1.9

L models

SWR
K models

Attenuation temperature
coefficient
Less that 0.0001 dB/dB/C°
Power sensitivity
0.001 dB/Watt
RF Input power (max.)
1 Watt average, 50 Watts peak
(10 μs max. pulse width)Life (min.)5 million cycles per section

Repeatibility±0.03 dB max 5 million cycles
per section, typicalEnvironmental capabilities(Up to 5 million cycles)
Temperature, operating–20°C to +75°C
Temperature, non-operating–55°C to +85°C

Altitude, operating
4,570 meters (15,000 ft.)
Altitude, non-operating
13,700 meters (50,000 ft.)
Humidity
Cycling 5 days, 40°C at
95% RH with condensation
Shock operating
10 Gs, six ms, on six sides,
three blows
7

Shock, non-operating
500 Gs, 1.8 ms, in six
directions
Vibration, operating
5 Gs, 34-2000 Hz
EMC
Radiated interference iswithin the requirements of MILSTD-461 method RE02, VDE
0871 and CISPR Publication IIMechanical Information
Net weight84904K/L

84906K/L

84907K/L

291 grams

291 grams

229 grams(10.3 oz)(10.3 oz)

(8.1 oz)

Mounting position (any)
RF connectors
2.4 mm connectors standard, L models only
2.92 mm (SMA compatible), L models only
3.5 mm (SMA compatible), K models only

Switching speed
Maximum 20 msec including settling time
Solenoids

Coil voltage

Switching current

Nominal coil
impedance

Option 024

24 V 20 to 30 V)

125 mA (at 24 V)

190 Ω

Option 015

15 V (13 to 22 V)

188 mA (at 15 V)

80 Ω

Option 011

5 V (4.5 to 7 V)

325 mA (at 5 V)

17 Ω

1. 1 Current per section; approximately 10 msec duration before internal contacts open the coil circuit

Figure 5. Dimensions are in millimeters and inches.

8Ordering information
Programmable step attenuators
84904K 0 to 11 dB, 1 dB steps; dc to 26.5 GHz
84904L 0 to 11 dB, 1 dB steps; dc to 40.0 GHz
84906K 0 to 90 dB, 10 dB steps; dc to 26.5 GHz
84906L 0 to 90 dB, 10 dB steps; dc to 40.0 GHz
84907K 0 to 70 dB, 10 dB steps; dc to 26.5 GHz
84907L 0 to 70 dB, 10 dB steps; dc to 40.0 GHz

Options
To add options to a product, use the following ordering scheme:
Model: 84904/6/7x (x = K, L)
Model options: 84904/6/7x-opt#1 or 84904/6/7x-opt#2

Supply voltage (must choose one)
84904/6/7x-011 5 V dc supply voltage
84904/6/7x-015 15 V dc supply voltage
84904/6/7x-024 24 V dc supply voltage (standard option)

RF connectors (must choose one)
84904/6/7K-004
84904/6/7K-104
84904/6/7L-006
84904/6/7L-100
84904/6/7L-101
84904/6/7L-106

3.5 mm female connector, 3.5 mm female connector (standard option)
3.5 mm male connector, 3.5 mm female connector
2.92 mm female connector, 2.92 mm female connector(UK6 not available with this option)
2.4 mm male connector, 2.4 mm female connector
2.4 mm female connector, 2.4 female connector (standard option)
2.92 mm male connector, 2.92 mm female connector(UK6 not available with this option)

Calibration documentation (optional)
84904/6/7x-UK6 Calibration data

Accessories (optional)
11764-60001
11764-60002
11764-60003
11764-60004

10-pin dip plug (for attenutor connection) to 1524 mm (5 foot) ribbon cable
203 mm (8 inch) ribbon cable with 14-pin headers, female 10-pin receptacle
406 mm (16 inch) ribbon cable with 14-pin headers, female 10-pin receptacle
Interconnect cable 10-pin dip plug to “Viking” connector (for use with 11713B/C)

9

10 | Keysight | 84904, 6, 7K/L Programmable Step Attenuators – Data Sheet

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