Aeroflex 8210A-2-5, Operation & Installation Manual, Page: 4 / 56

Model 8210A-2-5 IM-377
Aeroflex / Weinschel 4
1. GENERAL INFORMATION:
1-1 PURPOSE: This manual contains setup and operation information for the
Aeroflex/Weinschel’s Model 8210A-2-5 S
martStep ™

Programmable Attenuator/
Switch Controller. The manual also provides component location, reference
designators, part numbers, and nomenclature to identify all the assemblies and sub-
assemblies of the Attenuator Unit.
1-2 SCOPE: This manual is to be used in conjunction with the operation and
maintenance of the Model 8210A-2-5 S
martStep ™
Programmable Attenuator/Switch
Controller. The manual also provides a general description; applications; and general
maintenance procedures to maintain the controller.
1-3 EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: Aeroflex/Weinschel’s Model 8210A-2-5 SmartStep Programmable
Attenuator/Switch Controller (Figure 1) is designed to interface with Weinschel’s line of SmartStep programmable
attenuators and represents a new concept in device control applications for bench test and subsystem designs. The
8210A-2-5 provides a high-level interface from a standard RS-232/RS-422/RS485 communications interface to the
SmartStep ’s serial Driver Interface Bus.
The Device Interface Bus (DIB) is a system for connecting a number of relatively low-speed I/O devices to a host,
providing a simple, uniform, and inexpensive way to control a variety of devices via a single port. The DIB is based on
the two-wire I
2
C serial bus and several software protocol layers that allow the Model 8210A-2-5 to address up to 125
peripheral devices, with serial data rates of up to 100 KHz. The DIB may also be used to supply DC power to the
devices, resulting in a simple, low-cost interconnection system.
Figure 1. Model 8210A-2-5 Front Panel