Use this electronics calculation for a first-pass component, converter, signal, motor, or sensor estimate when the stated operating conditions and units match the device data.

Impedance (Ω)

Required number input.

Attenuation (dB)

Required number input.

Compute the series resistor of a pi-pad attenuator between equal source and load impedances. The tool evaluates the supplied inputs together and returns the named outputs below; it does not infer omitted operating conditions or change the units shown.^[1]

Series resistor (Ω)

The resulting series resistor returned as a number.

• Compact electronics formulas omit some combination of tolerances, temperature drift, bandwidth, loading, parasitics, noise spectrum, nonlinearity, clipping, calibration, layout, and device-specific limits. Typical datasheet values are not guaranteed limits.
• Use finite inputs in the displayed units and preserve more precision than the final presentation requires. Independently verify safety-critical, financial, compliance, or production decisions.

Check the result against the current datasheet and worst-case operating corners, then verify the circuit or measurement with simulation and bench testing where failure matters.

• Pi-Pad Shunt Resistor

  Compute each shunt resistor of a pi-pad attenuator between equal source and load impedances.

• T-Pad Series Resistor

  Compute each series resistor of an unbalanced T-pad attenuator between equal source and load impedances.

• T-Pad Shunt Resistor

  Compute the shunt resistor of an unbalanced T-pad attenuator between equal source and load impedances.