page_title: Attenuator (electronics)
section_title: Reference figures for attenuator component calculation
hierarchical_section_title: Attenuator (electronics) / Component values for resistive pads and attenuators / Reference figures for attenuator component calculation
caption_attribution_description: English: General application of a two-port with voltage, current and power variable shown with source on the right and load on the left.
context_page_description: An attenuator is an electronic device that reduces the power of a signal without appreciably distorting its waveform.
  An attenuator is effectively the opposite of an amplifier, though the two work by different methods. While an amplifier provides gain, an attenuator provides loss, or gain less than 1.
context_section_description: The attenuator two-port is generally bidirectional.  However, in this section it will be treated as though it were one way.   In general, either of the two figures applies, but the first figure (which depicts the source on the left) will be tacitly assumed most of the time.  In the case of the L-pad, the second figure will be used if the load impedance is greater than the source impedance.
  Each resistor in each type of pad discussed is given a unique designation to decrease confusion.
  The L-pad component value calculation assumes that the design impedance for port 1 (on the left) is equal or higher than the design impedance for port 2.
caption: The L-pad computation assumes that port 1 has the highest impedance.  If the highest impedance happens to be the output port, then use this figure.
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