Patent ID: 7457593

Claim:
An attenuator system for adjusting the output power of an HF signal source, the attenuator system comprising: an electronic attenuator; a mechanical changeover switch at an input-end of the electronic attenuator; a mechanical changeover switch at an output-end of the electronic attenuator; and a switchgear of the mechanical changeover switches coupled to an over-voltage detector assigned to the output of the signal source, wherein the electronic attenuator is arranged between the signal source and an output, and the mechanical changeover switches are configured for switching to a first switching position wherein the electronic attenuator is connected between the signal source and the output, a second switching position wherein a direct bypass line is connected between the signal source and the output, and if a predetermined permitted level is exceeded at the output, the mechanical changeover switch at the output-end disconnects the electronic attenuator from the output, and the mechanical changeover switch at the input-end connects the electronic attenuator to the signal source.