ATTENUATORS - DIGITAL - SMT
1
HMC539ALP3/539ALP3E
v01.0416
0.25 dB LSB GaAs MMIC 5-BIT DIGITAL
POSITIVE CONTROL ATTENUATOR, DC - 4 GHz
For price, delivery, and to place orders: Analog Devices, Inc.,
One Technology Way, P.O. Box 9106, Norwood, MA 02062-9106
Phone: 781-329-4700 • Order online at www.analog.com
Application Support: Phone: 1-800-ANALOG-D
Information furnished by Analog Devices is believed to be accurate and reliable. However, no
responsibility is assumed by Analog Devices for its use, nor for any infringements of patents or other
rights of third parties that may result from its use. Specications subject to change without notice. No
license is granted by implication or otherwise under any patent or patent rights of Analog Devices.
Trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Functional Diagram
Electrical Specications,
TA = +25° C, With Vdd = +5V & Vctl = 0/+5V (Unless Otherwise Noted)
The HMC539ALP3/539ALP3E is ideal for both RF
and IF applications:
• Cellular Infrastructure
• ISM, MMDS, WLAN, WiMAX, WiBro
• Microwave Radio & VSAT
• Test Equipment and Sensors
0.25 dB LSB Steps to 7.75 dB
± 0.05 dB Typical Step Error
Low Insertion Loss: 0.7 dB
High IP3: +62 dBm
Single Control Line Per Bit
TTL/CMOS Compatible Control
Single +3V to +5V Supply
3x3 mm SMT Package
The HMC539ALP3/539ALP3E is a broadband
5-bit GaAs IC digital attenuator in a low cost lead-
less surface mount package. This single positive
control line per bit digital attenuator utilizes an off
chip AC ground capacitor for near DC operation,
making it suitable for a wide variety of RF and IF
applications. Covering DC to 4 GHz, the inser-
tion loss is less than 0.7 dB typical. The attenuator
bit values are 0.25 (LSB), 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 dB for a
total attenuation of 7.75 dB. Attenuation accuracy is
excellent at ± 0.05 dB typical step error. The attenu-
ator also features a high IIP3 of +62 dBm. Five TTL/
CMOS control inputs are used to select each attenua-
tion state. A single Vdd bias of +3V to +5V is required.
Parameter Frequency (GHz) Min. Typ. Max. Units
Insertion Loss
DC - 1.5 GHz
1.5 - 3.0 GHz
3.0 - 4.0 GHz
0.7
1.0
1.3
1.0
1.3
1.7
dB
dB
dB
Attenuation Range DC - 4 GHz 7.75 dB
Return Loss (RF1 & RF2, All Atten. States) DC - 3 GHz
3.0 - 4.0 GHz
27
25
dB
dB
Attenuation Accuracy:
(Referenced to Insertion Loss) All States DC - 3 GHz
3.0 - 4.0 GHz
± (0.2 + 2% of Atten. Setting) Max.
± (0.2 + 4% of Atten. Setting) Max.
dB
dB
Input Power for 0.1 dB Compression 0.1 - 4.0 GHz 32 dBm
Input Third Order Intercept Point
(Two-Tone Input Power= 15 dBm Each Tone) 0.1 - 4.0 GHz 62 dBm
Switching Characteristics
tRISE, tFALL (10/90% RF)
tON, tOFF (50% CTL to 10/90% RF)
DC - 4 GHz
45
52
ns
ns
Typical Applications Features
General Description
For price, delivery, and to place orders: Analog Devices, Inc., One Technology Way, P.O. Box 9106, Norwood, MA 02062-9106
Phone: 781-329-4700 • Order online at www.analog.com
Application Support: Phone: 1-800-ANALOG-D
ATTENUATORS - DIGITAL - SMT
2
HMC539ALP3/539ALP3E
v01.0416
0.25 dB LSB GaAs MMIC 5-BIT DIGITAL
POSITIVE CONTROL ATTENUATOR, DC - 4 GHz
Return Loss RF1, RF2
(Only Major States are Shown)
Insertion Loss
Normalized Attenuation
(Only Major States are Shown)
Bit Error vs. Frequency
(Only Major States are Shown)
Relative Phase vs. Frequency
(Only Major States are Shown)
Bit Error vs. Attenuation State
-3
-2.5
-2
-1.5
-1
-0.5
0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5
+25 C +85 C -40 C
INSERTION LOSS (dB)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
-45
-36
-27
-18
-9
0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5
IL
0.25 dB
0,.5 dB
1dB
2dB
4 dB
7.75 dB
RETURN LOSS (dB)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
-10
-8
-6
-4
-2
0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5
0.25 dB
0.5 dB
1 dB
2 dB
4 dB
7.75 dB
NORMALIZED ATTENUATION (dB)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
-0.5
-0.25
0
0.25
0.5
012345678
40 MHz
100 MHz
500 MHz
1 GHz
2 GHz
3 GHz
4 GHz
BIT ERROR (dB)
ATTENUATION STATE (dB)
-0.25
-0.15
-0.05
0.05
0.15
0.25
0.35
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5
0.25 dB
0.5 dB
1 dB
2 dB
4 dB
7.75 dB
BIT ERROR (dB)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
-20
-15
-10
-5
0
5
10
15
20
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5
0.25 dB
0.5 dB
1 dB
2 dB
4 dB
7.75 dB
RELATIVE PHASE (deg)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
For price, delivery, and to place orders: Analog Devices, Inc., One Technology Way, P.O. Box 9106, Norwood, MA 02062-9106
Phone: 781-329-4700 • Order online at www.analog.com
Application Support: Phone: 1-800-ANALOG-D
ATTENUATORS - DIGITAL - SMT
3
HMC539ALP3/539ALP3E
v01.0416
0.25 dB LSB GaAs MMIC 5-BIT DIGITAL
POSITIVE CONTROL ATTENUATOR, DC - 4 GHz
Truth Table
Control Voltage
Bias Voltage & Current
Vdd = +5.0 Vdc ± 10%
Vdd
(VDC)
Idd ( Typ.)
(mA)
+3.0 1.6
+5.0 1.7
State Vdd = +3V Vdd = +5V
Low 0 to 0.8V @ <1 uA 0 to +1.1V @ 33uA Typ.
High 1.2 to 3.3V @ <1 uA 1.8V to +5.0V @ 33uA Typ.
Control Voltage Input Attenuation
State
RF1 - RF2
V1
4 dB
V2
2 dB
V3
1 dB
V4
0.5 dB
V5
0.25 dB
High High High High High Reference
I.L.
High High High High Low 0.25 dB
High High High Low High 0.5 dB
High High Low High High 1 dB
High Low High High High 2 dB
Low High High High High 4 dB
Low Low Low Low Low 7.75 d B
Any combination of the above states will provide an attenuation
approximately equal to the sum of the bits selected.
Step Error vs. Frequency
(Only Major States are Shown)
-0.25
-0.15
-0.05
0.05
0.15
0.25
0.35
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5
0.25 dB
0.5 dB
1 dB
2 dB
4 dB
7.75 dB
BIT ERROR (dB)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
1dB Input Compression Point
26
28
30
32
34
36
01234
INPUT COMPRESSION (dBm)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
For price, delivery, and to place orders: Analog Devices, Inc., One Technology Way, P.O. Box 9106, Norwood, MA 02062-9106
Phone: 781-329-4700 • Order online at www.analog.com
Application Support: Phone: 1-800-ANALOG-D
ATTENUATORS - DIGITAL - SMT
4
HMC539ALP3/539ALP3E
v01.0416
0.25 dB LSB GaAs MMIC 5-BIT DIGITAL
POSITIVE CONTROL ATTENUATOR, DC - 4 GHz
Absolute Maximum Ratings
Outline Drawing
RF Input Power (DC - 4 GHz) +29 dBm (T = +85 °C)
Control Voltage Range (V1 to V5) -1V to Vdd +1V
Bias Voltage (Vdd) +7.0 Vdc
Channel Temperature 150 °C
Continuous Pdiss (T = 85 °C)
(derate 12.0 mW/°C above 85 °C) 0.551 W
Thermal Resistance 118 °C/W
Storage Temperature -65 to +150 °C
Operating Temperature -40 to +85 °C
ELECTROSTATIC SENSITIVE DEVICE
OBSERVE HANDLING PRECAUTIONS
Part Number Package Body Material Lead Finish MSL Rating Package Marking [3]
HMC539ALP3 Low Stress Injection Molded Plastic Sn/Pb solder MSL3 [1] H539A
XXXX
HMC539ALP3E RoHS-compliant Low Stress Injection Molded Plastic 100% matte Sn MSL3 [2] H539A
XXXX
[1] Max peak reow temperature of 235 °C
[2 Max peak reow temperature of 260 °C
[3] 4-Digit lot number XXXX
Package Information
For price, delivery, and to place orders: Analog Devices, Inc., One Technology Way, P.O. Box 9106, Norwood, MA 02062-9106
Phone: 781-329-4700 • Order online at www.analog.com
Application Support: Phone: 1-800-ANALOG-D
ATTENUATORS - DIGITAL - SMT
5
HMC539ALP3/539ALP3E
v01.0416
0.25 dB LSB GaAs MMIC 5-BIT DIGITAL
POSITIVE CONTROL ATTENUATOR, DC - 4 GHz
Pin Descriptions
Pin Number Function Description Interface Schematic
1Vdd Supply Voltage.
2, 11 RF1, RF2
This pin is DC coupled and matched to 50 Ohm.
Blocking capacitors are required.
Select value based on lowest frequency of operation.
3, 9, 10 N/C These pins should be connected to PCB RF ground to
maximize performance.
4 - 8 ACG1 - ACG5
External capacitor to ground is required. Select value for
lowest frequency of operation. Place capacitor as close
to pins as possible.
12 - 16 V1 - V5 See truth table and control voltage table.
GND Package bottom has an exposed metal paddle that must be
connected to RF Ground.
Application Circuit
Recommended Component Values
C1, C2 100 pF ± 10%
C3 1,000 pF ± 10%
C4 330 pF ± 10%
R1 - R5 100 Ohm ± 10%
For price, delivery, and to place orders: Analog Devices, Inc., One Technology Way, P.O. Box 9106, Norwood, MA 02062-9106
Phone: 781-329-4700 • Order online at www.analog.com
Application Support: Phone: 1-800-ANALOG-D
ATTENUATORS - DIGITAL - SMT
6
HMC539ALP3/539ALP3E
v01.0416
0.25 dB LSB GaAs MMIC 5-BIT DIGITAL
POSITIVE CONTROL ATTENUATOR, DC - 4 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
Analog Devices Inc upon request.
List of Materials for Evaluation PCB EV1HC539ALP3 [1]
Item Description
J1, J2 PCB Mount SMA Connector
J3 - J9 DC Pin
C1, C2 100 pF Capacitor, 0402 Pkg.
C3 1000 pF Capacitor, 0402 Pkg.
C4 330 pF Capacitor, 0402 Pkg.
R1 - R5 100 Ohm Resistor 0402
U1 HMC539ALP3/539ALP3E Digital
Attenuator
PCB [2] 110076 Evaluation PCB
[1] Reference this number when ordering complete evaluation PCB
[2] Circuit Board Material: Rogers 4350
