A wide-band low-distortion ferrimagnetic attenuator

An electronically-controlled attenuator is presented which incorporates readily-available ferrite materials. A primary goal of the design is to attain a high level of intermodulation (IP/sub 3/) performance while at the same time keeping circuit complexity and cost at a minimum. A secondary goal is to reduce, if not eliminate, the temperature dependence normally associated with variable-gain stages. Test results show that these goals are easily achieved.