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Overview
Attenuators add signal losses to optical circuits so that the output power of optical transmission equipment can be regulated, ensuring the receivers sensitivity can be matched for proper operation.

Details
Attenuators are available in 1dB increments from 1dB to 30dB. Many contain doped fibre suitable for dual wavelength operation. Attenuators are offered in a variety of styles, through the use of attenuation splicing within a patchcord (inline style), through the use of doped fibre build out attenuators (standard build-out type) or air gap attenuators.

Other uses of attenuators include the simulation of longer transmission distances by the addition of attenuation. For example a 3dB single-mode attenuator would be equivalent to approximately 8-9km @1310nm.

Please note, users need to keep in mind that these devices simulate the attenuation losses only, not the dispersion.

Doped fibre attenuators are preferred for use in high speed or high power systems where the high return signal of air-gap style items could corrupt the signal. Air-gap style attenuators are a convenient, cost effective method although best suited to multimode operation.