SNET 201250-196 Voltage Controlled Diode Amplitude Limiter -3dB SMA RF 2-5 GHz

SNET 201250-196 Voltage Controlled Diode Amplitude Limiter -3dB SMA RF 2-5 GHz

The SNET 201250-196 is a voltage-controlled diode-based RF amplitude limiter in a compact machined metal housing. It uses an internal microwave substrate with PIN diode circuitry to limit or attenuate signal amplitude under voltage control. The device is configured with SMA female and SMA male connectors (M/F through-line configuration) and carries a labeled insertion loss/gain of -3 dB. Operating range is approximately 2–5 GHz based on the original description and the device's construction.

Specifications & What's Included

• Part Number: 201250-196
• Manufacturer Designator: SNET
• Type: Voltage-Controlled Diode-Based Amplitude Limiter
• Frequency Range: Approximately 2–5 GHz (microwave/RF)
• Labeled Gain / Insertion Loss: -3 dB
• Input Connector: SMA Female
• Output Connector: SMA Male
• Control: Voltage control leads (wires exiting top of enclosure)
• Internal construction: Microwave substrate with microstrip transmission lines, PIN diode(s), and passive SMD components — visible in microscope photos
• Housing: Compact machined metal enclosure (aluminum/stainless) with mounting holes on base
• Included: Module only; no additional cables or accessories

Applications

Voltage-controlled RF amplitude limiters of this type are used in microwave and RF signal chains where automatic or externally controlled amplitude management is needed. Common applications include receiver protection, automatic gain control (AGC) loops, signal conditioning in test and measurement systems, radar front-ends, and communications hardware operating in the 2–5 GHz range (S-band and lower C-band). PIN diode-based limiters are a standard building block in both commercial and defense microwave systems, providing fast, electronically variable attenuation without mechanical switching. SMA-connectorized modules like this one are typically used on a lab bench, in rack-mounted RF test setups, or integrated into larger microwave assemblies where the compact footprint and standard SMA interface simplify integration.