Patent ID: 7352259

Claim:
An integrated step attenuator (“ISA”) for adjusting an input signal, the ISA comprising: a step attenuation network (“SAN”), wherein the SAN includes at least one switchable attenuation section that is configured to adjust the input signal responsive to a state of a switch that bridges the at least one switchable attenuation section; and at least one electronically switchable trimming network (“ESTN”), wherein the ESTN includes at least one shunt resistor and an ESTN switch in signal communication with the at least one shunt resistor, wherein the at least one ESTN is configured to adjust the input signal responsive to the state of the ESTN switch, wherein said ISA is characterized by an input impedance Z 0 , said SAN has an input impedance greater than Z 0 , and said ESTN has an input impedance that alterable by said ESTN switch, said ESTN switch being set such that Z 0 approximates a predetermined value that is less than said input impedance of said SAN.