Limitation of treelike structure application for designing of multielement attenuators and dummy loads for high dissipation powers with use of thin-film resistive elements

This article examines the scope of one of the schematic principles for construction of multielement attenuators and dummy loads for high dissipation powers - in parallel-series treelike (dendritic) connections of separate resistive elements. It is shown that technological limitations on rated and actual dissipation power of a single resistive element do not allow creating attenuators for power dispersion above 2000 W on their basis. The possibility to apply serial ladder-type structures for construction of attenuators and dummy loads as alternative to the treelike structure is considered for designing broadband attenuators and dummy loads for high and very high dissipation power.