A Highly-Linear Differential Attenuator with Discrete Control

Designing highly linear attenuators is an important and time-consuming task. The article presents the results of designing and modelling a highly-linear differential attenuator using CMOS technology 180 nm. The presence of parasitic effects at microwave frequencies imposes certain difficulties in the design of attenuators. The use of differential bridge circuits reduces the influence of parasitic components, and the use of the compensation effect ensures accurate signal attenuation. The operating frequency of the developed attenuator is 100 MHz-12 GHz, losses - 2 dB, isolation - 34 dB, pitch - 0.5 dB, P1dB – 16 dBm, and current consumption - no more than 1 mA.