HMC424
v02.0404
MICROWAVE CORPORATION
0.5dB LSB GaAs MMIC 6-BIT DIGITAL
ATTENUATOR, DC - 13 GHz
Typical Applications
Features
The HMC424 is ideal for:
0.5 dB LSB Steps to 31.5 dB
Single Control Line Per Bit
• Fiber Optics & Broadband Telecom
• Microwave Radio & VSAT
• Military Radios, Radar, & ECM
• Space Applications
+/- 0.5 dB Typical Bit Error
2
Die Size: 0.85 mm x 1.45 mm x 0.1 mm
Functional Diagram
General Description
The HMC424 die is a broadband 6-bit GaAs IC
digital attenuator MMIC chip. Covering DC to 13
GHz, the insertion loss is less then 4 dB typical.
The attenuator bit values are 0.5 (LSB), 1, 2, 4,
8, and 16 dB for a total attenuation of 31.5 dB.
Attenuation accuracy is excellent at 0.5 dB typi-
cal step error with an IIP3 of +32 dBm. Six con-
trol voltage inputs, toggled between 0 and -5V,
are used to select each attenuation state. A single
Vee bias of -5V allows operation at frequencies
down to DC.
Electrical Specifications, TA = +25° C, With Vee = -5V & VCTL = 0/-5V
Parameter
Frequency (GHz)
Min.
Typ.
Max.
Units
DC - 8.0 GHz
8.0 - 13.0 GHz
3.0
4.0
3.8
4.6
dB
dB
Insertion Loss
Attenuation Range
DC - 13.0 GHz
31.5
dB
DC - 8.0 GHz
8.0 - 13.0 GHz
8
11
12
15
dB
dB
Return Loss (RF1 & RF2, All Atten. States)
Attenuation Accuracy: (Referenced to Insertion Loss)
0.5 - 7.5 dB States
8 - 31.5 dB States
DC - 13.0 GHz
DC - 13.0 GHz
0.3 + 4ꢀ of Atten. Setting Max
0.3 + 6ꢀ of Atten. Setting Max
dB
dB
Input Power for 0.1 dB Compression
1.0 - 13.0 Ghz
1.0 - 13.0 Ghz
DC - 13.0 GHz
22
dBm
Input Third Order Intercept Point
(Two-Tone Input Power= 0 dBm Each Tone)
REF State
All Other States
46
32
dBm
dBm
Switching Characteristics
tRISE, tFALL (10/90ꢀ RF)
tON/tOFF (50ꢀ CTL to 10/90ꢀ RF)
30
50
ns
ns
For price, delivery, and to place orders, please contact Hittite Microwave Corporation:
12 Elizabeth Drive, Chelmsford, MA 01824 Phone: 978-250-3343 Fax: 978-250-3373
Order Online at www.hittite.com
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