An attenuator component comprising: a plurality of attenuator units that defines a range of attenuation values, wherein the plurality of attenuator units are coupled together in a series cascade, and wherein the attenuator component is configured to receive an input signal and to produce an output signal that is attenuated with respect to the input signal by a final attenuation value, and wherein each of the plurality of attenuator units has a first state where a first attenuation value is applied to an attenuator unit input signal to produce an attenuator unit output signal, and a second state where a second attenuation value is applied to the attenuator input signal to produce the attenuator unit output signal, wherein the first attenuation value is greater than the second attenuation value, and wherein some of the attenuator units have higher first attenuation values and some of the attenuator units have lower first attenuation values; and a control unit that in response to a logic signal selecting the final attenuation value, provides control signals to the plurality of attenuator units so that each of the plurality of attenuator units is placed into either the first state or the second state, wherein the control signals induce switching of the attenuator units of the plurality of attenuator units which require switching from the first state to the second state after switching the attenuator units of the plurality of attenuator units which require switching from the second state to the first state so as to reduce transient overshoot of the output signal during transition of the attenuator component from one attenuation level to another. a plurality of attenuator units that defines a range of attenuation values, wherein the plurality of attenuator units are coupled together in a series cascade, and wherein the attenuator component is configured to receive an input signal and to produce an output signal that is attenuated with respect to the input signal by a final attenuation value, and wherein each of the plurality of attenuator units has a first state where a first attenuation value is applied to an attenuator unit input signal to produce an attenuator unit output signal, and a second state where a second attenuation value is applied to the attenuator input signal to produce the attenuator unit output signal, wherein the first attenuation value is greater than the second attenuation value, and wherein some of the attenuator units have higher first attenuation values and some of the attenuator units have lower first attenuation values; and a control unit that in response to a logic signal selecting the final attenuation value, provides control signals to the plurality of attenuator units so that each of the plurality of attenuator units is placed into either the first state or the second state, wherein the control signals induce switching of the attenuator units of the plurality of attenuator units which require switching from the first state to the second state after switching the attenuator units of the plurality of attenuator units which require switching from the second state to the first state so as to reduce transient overshoot of the output signal during transition of the attenuator component from one attenuation level to another. <EOS>