THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK
For price, delivery and to place orders: Hittite Microwave Corporation, 2 Elizabeth Drive, Chelmsford, MA 01824
Phone: 978-250-3343 Fax: 978-250-3373 Order On-line at www.hittite.com
Application Support: Phone: 978-250-3343 or apps@hittite.com
ATTENUATORS - DIGITAL - SMT
1
HMC472ALP4E
v00.1212
0.5 dB LSB GaAs MMIC 6-BIT DIGITAL
POSITIVE CONTROL ATTENUATOR, DC - 3.8 GHz
Functional Diagram
Electrical Specications,
TA = +25° C, With Vdd = +5V & Vctl = 0/+5V (Unless Otherwise Noted)
The HMC472ALP4E is ideal for:
• 3G Infrastructure & access points
• Cellular/3G, LTE & UMB
• WiMAX, WiBN & Fixed Wireless
• Test Equipment and Sensors
• GSM, WCDMA & TD-SCDMA
0.5 dB LSB Steps to 31.5 dB
Single Control Line Per Bit
TTL/CMOS Compatible Control
± 0.25 dB Typical Step Error
Single +5V Supply
24 Lead Ceramic 4x4mm SMT Package: 16mm²
The HMC472ALP4E are broadband 6-bit GaAs IC
digital attenuators in low cost leadless surface mount
packages. This single positive control line per bit
digital attenuator incorporates off chip AC ground
capacitors for near DC operation, making it suit-
able for a wide variety of RF and IF applications.
Covering DC to 3.8 GHz, the insertion loss is less
than 2.0 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 ± 0.25 dB
typical step error with an IIP3 of +54 dBm. Six TTL/
CMOS control inputs are used to select each attenua-
tion state. A single Vdd bias of +5V is required.
Parameter Frequency (GHz) Min. Typ. Max. Units
Insertion Loss
DC - 1.5 GHz
1.5 - 3.0 GHz
3.0 - 3.8 GHz
1.4
1.7
1.9
1.8
2.3
3
dB
dB
dB
Attenuation Range DC - 3.8 GHz 31.5 dB
Return Loss (RF1 & RF2, All Atten. States) DC - 3.8 GHz 20 dB
Attenuation Accuracy: (Referenced to Insertion
Loss)
All Attenuation States
0.5 - 3.5 dB States
4.0 - 31.5 dB States
All Attenuation States
All Attenuation States
DC - 1.0 GHz
1.0 - 2.2 GHz
1.0 - 2.2 GHz
2.2 - 3.0 GHz
3.0 - 3.8 GHz
± (0..20 + 3% of Atten. Setting) Max.
± (0.25 + 3% of Atten. Setting) Max.
± (0.15 + 4% of Atten. Setting) Max.
± (0.30 + 3% of Atten. Setting) Max
± (0.35 + 5% of Atten. Setting) Max.
dB
dB
dB
dB
dB
Input Power for 0.1 dB Compression 0.1 - 3.8 GHz 30 dBm
Input Third Order Intercept Point
(Two-Tone Input Power= 0 dBm Each Tone)
REF - 15.5 dB States
16.0 - 31.5 dB States 0.1 - 3.8 GHz 54
49
dBm
dBm
Switching Characteristics
tRISE, tFALL (10/90% RF)
tON, tOFF (50% CTL to 10/90% RF)
DC - 3.8 GHz
40
60
ns
ns
Typical Applications Features
General Description
For price, delivery and to place orders: Hittite Microwave Corporation, 2 Elizabeth Drive, Chelmsford, MA 01824
Phone: 978-250-3343 Fax: 978-250-3373 Order On-line at www.hittite.com
Application Support: Phone: 978-250-3343 or apps@hittite.com
ATTENUATORS - DIGITAL - SMT
2
HMC472ALP4E
v00.1212
0.5 dB LSB GaAs MMIC 6-BIT DIGITAL
POSITIVE CONTROL ATTENUATOR, DC - 3.8 GHz
-35
-30
- 25
- 20
- 15
- 10
-5
0
00.5 11.5 22.5 33.5 4
NORMALIZED ATTENUATION (dB)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
-35
-30
- 25
- 20
- 15
- 10
-5
0
00.05 0.1 0. 15 0.2 0.25 0.3 0. 35
NORMALIZED ATTENUATION (dB)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
-35
-30
- 25
- 20
- 15
- 10
-5
0
00.5 11.5 22.5 33.5 4
RETURN LOSS (dB)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
0.5-16 dB
31.5 dB
-35
-30
- 25
- 20
- 15
- 10
-5
0
00.05 0.1 0. 15 0.2 0.25 0.3 0. 35
RETURN LOSS (dB)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
-3
-2.5
-2
-1.5
-1
-0.5
0
00.5 11.5 22.5 33.5 4
+25 C
+85 C
-40 C
INSERTION LOSS (dB)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
-3
-2.5
-2
-1.5
-1
-0.5
0
00.05 0.1 0. 15 0.2 0.25 0.3 0. 35
+25C
+85C
-40C
INSERTION LOSS (dB)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
Return Loss RF1, RF2
(Only Major States are Shown)
Insertion Loss
Normalized Attenuation
(Only Major States are Shown)
Insertion Loss
Return Loss RF1, RF2
(Only Major States are Shown)
Normalized Attenuation
(Only Major States are Shown)
For price, delivery and to place orders: Hittite Microwave Corporation, 2 Elizabeth Drive, Chelmsford, MA 01824
Phone: 978-250-3343 Fax: 978-250-3373 Order On-line at www.hittite.com
Application Support: Phone: 978-250-3343 or apps@hittite.com
ATTENUATORS - DIGITAL - SMT
3
HMC472ALP4E
v00.1212
0.5 dB LSB GaAs MMIC 6-BIT DIGITAL
POSITIVE CONTROL ATTENUATOR, DC - 3.8 GHz
-1
- 0. 9
-0.8
- 0. 7
-0.6
- 0. 5
- 0. 4
-0.3
- 0. 2
- 0. 1
0
0.1
0 4 812 16 20 24 28 32
BIT ERROR (dB)
ATTENUATION STATE (dB)
50 MHz
100 MHz, 300 MHz, 350 MHz
200 MHz
-3
-2.5
-2
-1.5
-1
-0.5
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
00.5 11.5 22.5 33.5 4
BIT ERROR (dB)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
0.5 - 4 dB
8 - 31.5 dB
-2
-1
0
1
2
00.5 11.5 22.5 33.5 4
BIT ERROR (dB)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
16 dB
3 1. 5 dB
8 dB 0.5-4 dB
-2
-1.5
-1
-0.5
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
00.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3 0. 35
BIT ERROR (dB)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
31.5 dB
0.5 - 4, 16 dB
8 dB
-2
- 1. 5
-1
- 0. 5
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
0 4 8 12 16 20 24 28 32
BIT ERROR (dB)
ATTENUATION STAT E (dB)
4 0 MHz
3 GHz, 3 .8 G Hz
500 M Hz, 1 GHz
100 MHz, 2 GHz
Bit Error vs. Frequency
(Only Major States are Shown)
Bit Error vs. Attenuation State
Bit Error vs. Frequency without
AC Ground Caps
(Only Major States are Shown)
Bit Error vs. Attenuation State
Bit Error vs. Frequency
(Only Major States are Shown)
For price, delivery and to place orders: Hittite Microwave Corporation, 2 Elizabeth Drive, Chelmsford, MA 01824
Phone: 978-250-3343 Fax: 978-250-3373 Order On-line at www.hittite.com
Application Support: Phone: 978-250-3343 or apps@hittite.com
ATTENUATORS - DIGITAL - SMT
4
HMC472ALP4E
v00.1212
0.5 dB LSB GaAs MMIC 6-BIT DIGITAL
POSITIVE CONTROL ATTENUATOR, DC - 3.8 GHz
-1
-0.6
-0.2
0.2
0.6
1
00.5 11.5 22.5 33.5 4
STEP ERROR (dB)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
- 40
- 20
0
20
40
60
80
100
00.5 11.5 22.5 33.5 4
RELATIVE PHASE (deg)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
8 dB
3 1. 5 d B
0.5-4 dB
16 dB
Truth Table
Control Voltage
Bias Voltage & Current
Worst Case Step Error
Between Successive Attenuation States
Vdd = +5V ± 10%
Vdd
(V)
Idd (Typ.)
(mA)
+4.5 2.4
+5.0 2.5
+5.5 2.6
State Bias Condition
Low 0 to +0.8 Vdc @ -5 uA Typ.
High + 2.0 to + 5.0 Vdc @ 40 uA Typ.
Note: Vdd = +5V
Control Voltage Input Attenuation
State
RF1 - RF2
V1
16 dB
V2
8 dB
V3
4 dB
V4
2 dB
V5
1 dB
V6
0.5 dB
High High High High High High Reference
I.L.
High High High High High Low 0.5 dB
High High High High Low High 1 dB
High High High Low High High 2 dB
High High Low High High High 4 dB
High Low High High High High 8 dB
Low High High High High High 16 dB
Low Low Low Low Low Low 31.5 dB
Any combination of the above states will provide an attenuation
approximately equal to the sum of the bits selected.
Relative Phase vs. Frequency
(Only Major States are Shown)
For price, delivery and to place orders: Hittite Microwave Corporation, 2 Elizabeth Drive, Chelmsford, MA 01824
Phone: 978-250-3343 Fax: 978-250-3373 Order On-line at www.hittite.com
Application Support: Phone: 978-250-3343 or apps@hittite.com
ATTENUATORS - DIGITAL - SMT
5
HMC472ALP4E
v00.1212
0.5 dB LSB GaAs MMIC 6-BIT DIGITAL
POSITIVE CONTROL ATTENUATOR, DC - 3.8 GHz
Absolute Maximum Ratings
Outline Drawing
RF Input Power (DC - 3 GHz) +28 dBm (T = +85 °C)
Control Voltage Range (V1 to V6) -1V to Vdd +1V
Bias Voltage (Vdd) +7V
Channel Temperature 150 °C
Continuous Pdiss (T = 85 °C)
(derate 8.6 mW/°C above 85 °C) 0.56 W
Thermal Resistance 116 °C/W
Storage Temperature -65 to +150 °C
Operating Temperature -40 to +85 °C
ESD Sensitivity (HBM) Class 1A
NOTES:
1. LEADFRAME MATERIAL: COPPER ALLOY
2. DIMENSIONS ARE IN INCHES [MILLIMETERS]
3. LEAD SPACING TOLERANCE IS NON-CUMULATIVE.
4. PAD BURR LENGTH SHALL BE 0.15mm MAXIMUM.
PAD BURR HEIGHT SHALL BE 0.05mm MAXIMUM.
5. PACKAGE WARP SHALL NOT EXCEED 0.05mm.
6. ALL GROUND LEADS AND GROUND PADDLE MUST BE
SOLDERED TO PCB RF GROUND.
7. REFER TO HITTITE APPLICATION NOTE FOR SUGGESTED
LAND PATTERN.
ELECTROSTATIC SENSITIVE DEVICE
OBSERVE HANDLING PRECAUTIONS
Part Number Package Body Material Lead Finish MSL Rating Package Marking [2]
HMC472ALP4E RoHS-compliant Low Stress Injection Molded Plastic 100% matte Sn MSL1 [1] H472A
XXXX
[1] Max peak reow temperature of 260 °C
[2] 4-Digit lot number XXXX
Package Information
For price, delivery and to place orders: Hittite Microwave Corporation, 2 Elizabeth Drive, Chelmsford, MA 01824
Phone: 978-250-3343 Fax: 978-250-3373 Order On-line at www.hittite.com
Application Support: Phone: 978-250-3343 or apps@hittite.com
ATTENUATORS - DIGITAL - SMT
6
HMC472ALP4E
v00.1212
0.5 dB LSB GaAs MMIC 6-BIT DIGITAL
POSITIVE CONTROL ATTENUATOR, DC - 3.8 GHz
Pin Descriptions
Pin Number Function Description Interface Schematic
1, 3, 5, 12,
14, 16, 17, 18 N/C These pins should be connected to PCB RF ground to
maximize performance.
2Vdd Supply Voltage.
4, 15 RF1, RF2
This pin is DC coupled and matched to 50 Ohm.
Blocking capacitors are required. Select value based on
lowest frequency of operation.
6 - 11, 13 ACG1 - ACG7
External capacitors to ground are recommended for low and
high frequency operation. Select value for
lowest frequency of operation. Place capacitor as close
to pins as possible. For operation from 700 to 2700 MHz,
these pins may be left unconnected.
19 - 24 V1 - V6 See truth table and control voltage table.
GND Package bottom has an exposed metal paddle that must also
be connected to RF/DC Ground.
For price, delivery and to place orders: Hittite Microwave Corporation, 2 Elizabeth Drive, Chelmsford, MA 01824
Phone: 978-250-3343 Fax: 978-250-3373 Order On-line at www.hittite.com
Application Support: Phone: 978-250-3343 or apps@hittite.com
ATTENUATORS - DIGITAL - SMT
7
HMC472ALP4E
v00.1212
0.5 dB LSB GaAs MMIC 6-BIT DIGITAL
POSITIVE CONTROL ATTENUATOR, DC - 3.8 GHz
Application Circuit
Note: For operations from 700 to 2700 MHz, pins 6 through 13 may be left unconnected.
For price, delivery and to place orders: Hittite Microwave Corporation, 2 Elizabeth Drive, Chelmsford, MA 01824
Phone: 978-250-3343 Fax: 978-250-3373 Order On-line at www.hittite.com
Application Support: Phone: 978-250-3343 or apps@hittite.com
ATTENUATORS - DIGITAL - SMT
8
HMC472ALP4E
v00.1212
0.5 dB LSB GaAs MMIC 6-BIT DIGITAL
POSITIVE CONTROL ATTENUATOR, DC - 3.8 GHz
Evaluation PCB
The circuit board used in the application should use
RF circuit design techniques. Signal lines should
have 50 Ohm impedance while the package ground
leads and exposed paddle should be connected
directly to the ground plane similar to that shown.
A sufficient number of via holes should be used to
connect the top and bottom ground planes. The
evaluation circuit board shown is available from Hit-
tite upon request.
List of Materials for Evaluation PCB 107010 - HMC472ALP4 [1]
Item Description
J1 - J2 PCB Mount SMA Connector
J3 14 Pin DC Connector
C1 1000 pF Capacitor, 0603 Pkg.
C2, C3 1000 pF Capacitor, 0402 Pkg.
C4 - C7 330 pF Capacitor, 0402 Pkg.
U1 HMC472ALP4E Digital Attenuator
PCB [2] 106977 Evaluation PCB
[1] Reference this number when ordering complete evaluation PCB
[2] Circuit Board Material: Rogers 4350
