Wi-Fi RF Attenuator Kit
Overview
The NTA3000 hardware platform is QA Cafe’s most advanced network test appliance, providing significant upgrades over previous systems. In addition to the system itself, QA Cafe also offers the Wi-Fi RF Attenuator Kit (RAK). The RAK further improves the Wi-Fi testing experience and consists of the following elements:
- (1) Adaura AD-USB8AR48G120 8-Channel RF Attenuator
- (8) 240 series coax cables (2 foot)
- (3) RP-SMA plug terminators
- (1) USB cable
- (1) Ethernet cable
- (1) USB Drive (drivers, manual, etc.)
For pricing and other information, please contact sales@qacafe.com.
Adaura 8-Channel RF Attenuator
The Adaura AD-USB8AR48G120 8-Channel RF Attenuator is a hardware device that allows eight RF signals to pass through on eight individual RF channels. The device can introduce attenuation to the RF signal passing through each channel. The channels operate independently but can also be grouped and controlled together.
Key specifications:
- Attenuation Range: 0 - 120 db
- Attenuation Step Size: 0.05 db
- Operating Frequency: 100 - 8000 MHz
- Impedance: 50 ohm
- Max Input RF Power: +28 dBm
- Switching Speed: 550 usec
Setup
The Adaura 8-Channel RF Attenuator is intended to be connected between the NTA3000 and the tri-band antennas. Adding attenuation at this point mimics having the Device Under Test (DUT) farther away.
The attenuator can sit directly on top of the NTA3000. Use the eight included coax cables to connect from the antenna connectors on the front of the NTA3000 to the eight “RF IN” connectors on the attenuator. The tests in the CDRouter Wi-Fi Range vs Rate Expansion expect a particular mapping between the individual Wi-Fi cards installed in the NTA3000 and the channels used in the attenuator. Connect the coax cables as shown in the table. Note there will be three unused antenna connectors on the front of the NTA3000. These should each have one of the included plug terminators installed.
| NTA3000 Wi-Fi Connector | Attenuator Connector | |
|---|---|---|
| wifi1-ax24 / wifi2-ax56 (top) | plug terminator (no connection to attenuator) | |
| wifi1-ax24 / wifi2-ax56 (middle) | channel 1 RF IN | |
| wifi1-ax24 / wifi2-ax56 (bottom) | channel 2 RF IN | |
| wifi3-ax24 / wifi4-ax56 (top) | plug terminator (no connection to attenuator) | |
| wifi3-ax24 / wifi4-ax56 (middle) | channel 3 RF IN | |
| wifi3-ax24 / wifi4-ax56 (bottom) | channel 4 RF IN | |
| wifi5-ax24 / wifi6-ax56 (top) | plug terminator (no connection to attenuator) | |
| wifi5-ax24 / wifi6-ax56 (middle) | channel 5 RF IN | |
| wifi5-ax24 / wifi6-ax56 (bottom) | channel 6 RF IN | |
| wifi7-be (top) | channel 7 RF IN | |
| wifi7-be (bottom) | channel 8 RF IN |
Power
The attenuator can be powered through its USB port or through its Power over Ethernet (POE) port. However, when used with CDRouter and the NTA3000, the USB port should be used for power. Use the included USB cable to connect the attenuator to any available USB port on the front of the NTA3000.
Control
CDRouter will control the attenuator over ethernet, so the POE ethernet port should be used for this. You can use the included ethernet cable to connect the attenuator to the mgmt2 ethernet port on the NTA3000. The ethernet port on the attenuator is pre-configured with an IP address of 192.168.100.101. The NTA3000 mgmt2 ethernet interface is pre-configured with an IP address of 192.168.100.100, so a single ethernet cable connecting the two ports is all that’s needed.
You’ll need to make sure the CDRouter rfAttenuatorUrl testvar is set to the IP address of the attenuator so the attenuator can be reached.
testvar rfAttenuatorUrl http://192.168.100.101
Antenna Connections
You can connect up to eight of the tri-band antennas you received with your NTA3000 to the eight “RF OUT” connectors on the attenuator. They can be connected directly, as in the picture below.
Or if you purchased the Advanced Accessory Pack, you can make use of the magnetic antenna bases.
Wi-Fi Chamber
If you will be using a Wi-Fi chamber, the antennas and DUTs are typically located inside the chamber. Additional coax cables would be needed to connect from the attenuator “RF OUT” connectors to the connectors on the chamber. If you need cables for this, contact sales@qacafe.com.
