The Boeing Company
Variable radio frequency attenuator

Abstract:

A variable RF attenuator includes a substrate, a first microstrip trace, a first thin film resistor, a second microstrip trace, and a wire bond. The substrate includes a dielectric layer. The first thin film resistor is disposed on the substrate. The first microstrip trace is disposed on the substrate and the first thin film resistor. The second microstrip trace is disposed on the substrate and is uncoupled from the first microstrip trace. The wire bond extends from the second microstrip trace to a position on the first microstrip trace. The position is selected to tune RF attenuation over a conductive path defined by the first microstrip trace, the wire bond, and the second microstrip trace.