Variable and Fixed Attenuators

RF attenuators reduce signal power by a defined amount while maintaining a matched impedance at both ports. They are passive two-port devices used wherever signal levels need to be controlled, reduced, or padded to protect downstream components, optimize dynamic range, or calibrate system gain. MCLI’s attenuator line spans three distinct technologies: fixed coaxial attenuators for permanent signal level reduction, continuously variable attenuators for manual or dial-adjusted control, and PIN diode attenuators for voltage-controlled variable attenuation in active circuit designs.

The line covers DC to 40 GHz, power handling from 2 watts to 500 watts for fixed models, and attenuation ranges from standard 3 dB fixed values up to 60 dB specials, with variable models offering continuous adjustment across a 10 to 20 dB range. Connector options include SMA, Type N, BNC, TNC, 7/16 DIN, and 2.92mm, covering the full range of coaxial interfaces used in defense, test, and communications systems. Request a quote or download the MCLI catalog to review the full specifications.

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Level Adjust and Frequency Flat Models

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Direct Reading, Knob, and Dial Options of Attenuation Value

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Low VSWR, Low Insertion Loss, High Reliability

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RF Power: 7W Average, 3kW Peak

Browse all Variable and Fixed Attenuators

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Showing 1–100 of 843 results

Part #Attenuator TypeFrequency Range (GHz)Insertion Loss (dB)Attenuation Range (dB)Flatness (±dB)VSWR Max.Lead TimeNotesAction
 Min  Max 
CA822-10 Standard0.70.80.5100.751.80:18-10 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CA822-10/D Dial0.70.80.5100.751.80:18-10 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CA822-10/DK Knob0.70.80.5100.751.80:18-10 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA807-10 Standard0.710.510N/A1.70:13-4 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA822-10 Standard0.720.510N/A1.70:18-10 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA807-10/D Dial0.710.510N/A1.70:13-4 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA822-10/D Dial0.720.510N/A1.70:18-10 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA807-10/DK Knob0.710.510N/A1.70:13-4 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA822-10/DK Knob0.720.510N/A1.70:18-10 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CA814-10 Standard0.810.5100.751.80:13-4 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CA814-15 Standard0.810.5151.51.80:13-4 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CA814-20 Standard0.810.5201.51.80:13-4 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CA814-10/D Dial0.810.5100.751.80:13-4 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CA814-15/D Dial0.810.51511.80:13-4 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CA814-20/D Dial0.810.5201.51.80:13-4 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CA814-10/DK Knob0.810.5100.751.80:13-4 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CA814-15/DK Knob0.810.51511.80:13-4 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CA814-20/DK Knob0.810.5201.51.80:13-4 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA801-10 Standard0.81.60.510N/A1.70:18-10 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA801-15 Standard0.81.60.515N/A1.70:18-10 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA806-20 Standard0.820.520N/A1.70:13-4 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA814-10 Standard0.810.510N/A1.70:18-10 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA814-15 Standard0.810.515N/A1.70:18-10 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA814-20 Standard0.810.520N/A1.70:18-10 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA801-10/D Dial0.81.60.510N/A1.70:18-10 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA801-15/D Dial0.81.60.515N/A1.70:18-10 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA806-20/D Dial0.820.520N/A1.70:13-4 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA814-10/D Dial0.810.510N/A1.70:18-10 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA814-15/D Dial0.810.515N/A1.70:18-10 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA814-20/D Dial0.810.520N/A1.70:18-10 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA801-10/DK Knob0.81.60.510N/A1.70:18-10 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA801-15/DK Knob0.81.60.515N/A1.70:18-10 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA806-20/DK Knob0.820.520N/A1.70:13-4 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA814-10/DK Knob0.810.510N/A1.70:18-10 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA814-15/DK Knob0.810.515N/A1.70:18-10 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA814-20/DK Knob0.810.520N/A1.70:18-10 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA824-10 Standard0.852.70.510N/A1.70:18-10 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA824-15 Standard0.852.70.515N/A1.70:18-10 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA824-20 Standard0.852.70.520N/A1.70:18-10 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA824-10/D Dial0.852.70.510N/A1.70:18-10 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA824-15/D Dial0.852.70.515N/A1.70:18-10 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA824-20/D Dial0.852.70.520N/A1.70:18-10 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA824-10/DK Knob0.852.70.510N/A1.70:18-10 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA824-15/DK Knob0.852.70.515N/A1.70:18-10 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA824-20/DK Knob0.852.70.520N/A1.70:18-10 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA802-15 Standard0.91.750.515N/A1.70:18-10 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA818-10 Standard0.91.80.510N/A1.70:18-10 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA818-15 Standard0.91.80.515N/A1.70:18-10 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA815-10 Standard0.980.710N/A1.80:18-10 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA815-20 Standard0.980.720N/A1.80:18-10 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA818-10/D Dial0.91.80.510N/A1.70:18-10 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA818-15/D Dial0.91.80.515N/A1.70:18-10 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA815-10/D Dial0.980.710N/A1.80:18-10 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA815-20/D Dial0.980.720N/A1.80:18-10 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA818-10/DK Knob0.91.80.510N/A1.70:18-10 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA818-15/DK Knob0.91.80.515N/A1.70:18-10 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA815-10/DK Knob0.980.710N/A1.80:18-10 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA815-20/DK Knob0.980.720N/A1.80:18-10 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CA801-10 Standard0.951.450.5101.51.80:13-4 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CA801-15 Standard0.951.450.5151.71.80:13-4 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CA801-10/D Dial0.951.450.5101.51.80:13-4 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CA801-15/D Dial0.951.450.5151.71.80:13-4 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CA801-10/DK Knob0.951.450.5101.51.80:13-4 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CA801-15/DK Knob0.951.450.5151.71.80:13-4 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA804-10 Standard0.9520.510N/A1.70:18-10 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA804-20 Standard0.9520.520N/A1.70:18-10 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA804-25 Standard0.9520.525N/A1.70:18-10 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA804-10/D Dial0.9520.510N/A1.70:18-10 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA804-20/D Dial0.9520.520N/A1.70:18-10 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA804-25/D Dial0.9520.525N/A1.70:18-10 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA804-10/DK Knob0.9520.510N/A1.70:18-10 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA804-20/DK Knob0.9520.520N/A1.70:18-10 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA804-25/DK Knob0.9520.525N/A1.70:18-10 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA701-10 Standard120.510N/A1.80:13-4 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA701-10/D Dial120.510N/A1.80:18-10 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA701-10/DK Knob120.510N/A1.80:18-10 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA825-10 Standard120.510N/A1.50:18-10 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA825-15 Standard120.515N/A1.50:18-10 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA825-20 Standard120.520N/A1.50:13-4 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA817-30 Standard180.530N/A1.50:13-4 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA826-10 Standard140.510N/A1.50:18-10 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA826-20 Standard140.520N/A1.50:13-4 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA826-30 Standard140.530N/A1.50:18-10 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA825-10/D Dial120.510N/A1.50:18-10 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA825-15/D Dial120.515N/A1.50:18-10 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA825-20/D Dial120.520N/A1.50:13-4 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA817-30/D Dial180.530N/A1.50:13-4 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA826-10/D Dial140.510N/A1.50:18-10 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA826-20/D Dial140.520N/A1.50:13-4 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA826-30/D Dial140.530N/A1.50:18-10 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA825-10/DK Knob120.510N/A1.50:18-10 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA825-15/DK Knob120.515N/A1.50:13-4 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA825-20/DK Knob120.520N/A1.50:13-4 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA826-10/DK Knob140.510N/A1.50:18-10 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA826-20/DK Knob140.520N/A1.50:13-4 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA826-30/DK Knob140.530N/A1.50:18-10 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA817-30/DK Knob180.530N/A1.50:13-4 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA715-10 Standard1.520.515N/A1.50:18-10 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA715-10/D Dial1.520.515N/A1.50:18-10 WeeksN/A Request Quote
CVA715-10/DK Knob1.520.515N/A1.50:18-10 WeeksN/A Request Quote

Full Product Line Specifications

Parameter Fixed Coaxial Continuously Variable PIN Diode Variable
Frequency Range DC to 40 GHz (series-dependent) 1.0 to 40.0 GHz (series-dependent) 1.7 to 5.0 GHz (series-dependent)
Attenuation Values 3, 6, 10, 20, 30 dB standard; up to 60 dB specials 10 to 20 dB continuous range Up to 20 dB range
Power Handling 2 W to 500 W (series-dependent) Up to 7 W (series-dependent) Low power signal control
Insertion Loss Series-dependent; low loss designs available As low as 0.5 dB Series-dependent
Flatness N/A (fixed value) As tight as +/- 0.5 dB (frequency flat series) Series-dependent
VSWR As low as 1.15:1 on select models 1.50:1 to 2.00:1 (series-dependent) 1.50:1 to 2.10:l
Connector Options SMA, Type N, BNC, TNC, 7/16 DIN, 2.92mm (K) SMA standard SMA, DA-15, MIL-C-28748, solder terminal
Control Method None (fixed) Knob, dial, or voltage adjustment Bias voltage (PIN diode)
Series Available Standard coaxial, high power up to 500 W 600 Series (CVA/CA, 3.0-40 GHz), 700 Series (CA, 1.0-18 GHz), 800 Series (CA, 12.4-18 GHz) DA, DA-P series
Custom Options Non-standard dB values, connector types, power ratings Frequency range, attenuation range, connector Frequency band, attenuation range, connector interface

Where MCLI Attenuators Are Used

Test Bench Signal Level Setting

Fixed attenuators are among the most frequently used components on an RF test bench. They pad signal generator output levels down to the input range of a device under test, protect sensitive receiver inputs from overdrive, and provide isolation pads between instruments to reduce impedance mismatch interactions. MCLI’s fixed coaxial attenuator line covers the standard dB values most commonly needed in bench setups: 3, 6, 10, 20, and 30 dB, with specials available to 60 dB. The low VSWR of well-designed fixed attenuators, as low as 1.15:1 on select MCLI models, reduces the reflections that degrade measurement accuracy when instruments are interconnected.

Receiver Dynamic Range Management

Receivers designed to handle a wide range of input signal strengths use variable attenuators ahead of the first amplifier stage to keep the input within the dynamic range of the receiver chain. When signal levels are high, attenuation is increased to prevent compression or overload. When signals are weak, attenuation is reduced to maximize sensitivity. 

MCLI’s continuously variable attenuators cover the 1.0 to 40 GHz range in octave and multi-octave band versions, with attenuation ranges of 10 to 20 dB and insertion loss as low as 0.5 dB, making them suitable for receiver front-end dynamic range control in radar, electronic warfare, and communications system designs.

Automatic Gain Control Loops

PIN diode attenuators provide electronically controlled attenuation by varying the bias current through PIN diodes embedded in the signal path. The RF resistance of a PIN diode changes continuously with forward bias current, producing a smooth attenuation curve that can be controlled by an analog voltage or a DAC output. This makes PIN diode attenuators the standard component in automatic gain control loops, where a feedback signal continuously adjusts the attenuation to hold a downstream signal at a target level. 

MCLI’s PIN diode attenuator line covers attenuation ranges up to 20 dB within 50 ohm systems across the 1.7 to 5.0 GHz frequency range, with multiple connector and bias interface options including MIL-C-28748 and DA-15 connectors for defense system integration.

High Power Signal Path Reduction

High power transmitter test setups, power amplifier characterization benches, and antenna range instrumentation require attenuators capable of handling the elevated average power levels present in those signal paths. A 30 dB fixed attenuator in front of a spectrum analyzer allows the analyzer to characterize a 100-watt transmitter output without exposure to damaging signal levels. 

MCLI’s high power fixed coaxial line reaches 500 watts average power handling, covering the power levels encountered in high power radar, electronic warfare transmitter testing, and antenna measurement range setups. High power models are available in Type N and 7/16 DIN connector configurations appropriate for high power coaxial cable assemblies. Contact MCLI to discuss high power requirements.

Attenuator Type Selection Guide

Type Attenuation Control Method Best For
Fixed Coaxial Set at manufacture; 3 to 60 dB None Permanent level reduction, test bench padding, protection pads
Continuously Variable 10 to 20 dB adjustable range Knob or dial (manual) Bench setups, receiver input ranging, manual gain adjustment
PIN Diode Variable Up to 20 dB adjustable range Bias voltage (electronic) AGC loops, electronically controlled attenuation, active circuit designs

Frequently Asked Questions: Variable and Fixed Attenuators

What Is the Difference Between a Fixed and a Variable RF Attenuator?

A fixed attenuator reduces signal power by a defined, unchanging amount set at the time of manufacture. Once installed, the attenuation value does not change. A variable attenuator allows the attenuation to be adjusted over a range, either manually through a knob or dial, or electronically through a control voltage. Fixed attenuators are used where a permanent level reduction is needed. Variable attenuators are used where signal levels change and the attenuation must track those changes, such as in receiver front ends or automatic gain control loops. Browse MCLI’s full selection of fixed coaxial attenuators and continuously variable attenuators to compare options.

What Is Attenuation Flatness and Why Does It Matter?

Attenuation flatness describes how consistently the attenuator holds its attenuation value across the rated frequency range. A variable attenuator specified at 10 dB that varies by 1.5 dB across its rated band actually provides anywhere from 8.5 to 11.5 dB of attenuation depending on the operating frequency. In wideband systems, flatness variation appears as frequency-dependent gain errors that accumulate through the signal chain. MCLI’s frequency-flat continuously variable series holds flatness to as tight as +/- 0.5 dB across the operating band, which supports more consistent system performance across wide bandwidths.

How Do PIN Diode Attenuators Work?

A PIN diode is a semiconductor device with an intrinsic layer between a p-type and n-type region. At RF frequencies, the PIN diode behaves as a variable resistor whose resistance is controlled by the DC bias current flowing through it. As forward bias current increases, resistance decreases and less attenuation is produced. As current decreases, resistance increases and more attenuation is applied. By placing PIN diodes in a resistive attenuator topology and controlling the bias current with an analog voltage, the circuit produces smooth, electronically adjustable attenuation. MCLI’s PIN diode attenuators provide up to 20 dB of attenuation range within 50 ohm systems.

What Power Level Do I Need in a Fixed Attenuator?

Size the attenuator’s power rating to handle the maximum input power with margin, not the output power after attenuation. A 30 dB attenuator with 1 watt at its output has 1,000 watts at its input. MCLI’s fixed coaxial line spans 2 watts to 500 watts, and high power models are available in connector types rated for the current-carrying requirements at those power levels. Contact MCLI engineering if your application requires power handling above 500 watts.

What Connector Type Should I Choose for My Attenuator?

Choose the connector type that matches the coaxial interface in your system. SMA connectors are standard for most bench and system applications up to 18 GHz, with 2.92mm (K) extending SMA-compatible interfaces to 40 GHz. Type N connectors are preferred in high power applications because of their larger contact area and higher power handling. 7/16 DIN connectors are used in very high power outdoor and base station applications. BNC and TNC connectors appear in lower-frequency test and instrumentation setups. MCLI’s fixed coaxial attenuator line covers all of these connector types.

Can MCLI Produce Fixed Attenuators in Non-Standard dB Values?

Yes. Standard catalog models cover 3, 6, 10, 20, and 30 dB values. Special designs are available up to 60 dB and can be produced in non-standard attenuation values for applications that require a specific level of padding not covered by the standard series. Contact MCLI with your frequency range, attenuation value, power level, and connector requirements to request a special design.

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