ATTENUATORS - SMT
5
5 - 164
For price, delivery, and to place orders, please contact Hittite Microwave Corporation:
20 Alpha Road, Chelmsford, MA 01824 Phone: 978-250-3343 Fax: 978-250-3373
Order On-line at www.hittite.com
HMC539LP3 / 539LP3E
0.25 dB LSB GaAs MMIC 5-BIT DIGITAL
POSITIVE CONTROL ATTENUATOR, DC - 4 GHz
v00.0605
Functional Diagram
Electrical Speci cations,
TA = +25° C, With Vdd = +5V & Vctl = 0/+5V (Unless Otherwise Noted)
The HMC539LP3 / HMC539LP3E 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: +50 dBm
Single Control Line Per Bit
TTL/CMOS Compatible Control
Single +5V Supply
3x3 mm SMT Package
The HMC539LP3 & HMC539LP3E are broadband
5-bit GaAs IC digital attenuators in low cost lead-
less surface mount packages. 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 insertion 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 attenu-
ation of 7.75 dB. Attenuation accuracy is excellent
at ± 0.05 dB typical step error. The attenuator also
features a high IIP3 of +50 dBm. Five TTL/CMOS
control inputs are used to select each attenuation
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 - 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
25
20
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 28 dBm
Input Third Order Intercept Point
(Two-Tone Input Power= 0 dBm Each Tone) 0.1 - 4.0 GHz 50 dBm
Switching Characteristics
tRISE, tFALL (10/90% RF)
tON, tOFF (50% CTL to 10/90% RF)
DC - 4 GHz
48
52
ns
ns
Typical Applications Features
General Discription
ATTENUATORS - SMT
5
5 - 165
For price, delivery, and to place orders, please contact Hittite Microwave Corporation:
20 Alpha Road, Chelmsford, MA 01824 Phone: 978-250-3343 Fax: 978-250-3373
Order On-line at www.hittite.com
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)
-10
-8
-6
-4
-2
0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5
NORMALIZED ATTENUATION (dB)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
-0.5
-0.25
0
0.25
0.5
012345678
BIT ERROR (dB)
ATTENUATION STATE (dB)
3 GHz 40 MHz
500 MHz
2 GHz
1 GHz
100 MHz
4 GHz
-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
BIT ERROR (dB)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
1 dB
0.25 dB
0.5 dB
2 dB 4 dB
7.75 dB -20
-15
-10
-5
0
5
10
15
20
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5
RELATIVE PHASE (deg)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
7.75 dB
4 dB
2 dB
0.25-1 dB
-45
-36
-27
-18
-9
0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5
RETURN LOSS (dB)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
1 dB2 dB
4 dB
I.L.dB 7.75 dB
0.5 dB0.25 dB
HMC539LP3 / 539LP3E
0.25 dB LSB GaAs MMIC 5-BIT DIGITAL
POSITIVE CONTROL ATTENUATOR, DC - 4 GHz
v00.0605
ATTENUATORS - SMT
5
5 - 166
For price, delivery, and to place orders, please contact Hittite Microwave Corporation:
20 Alpha Road, Chelmsford, MA 01824 Phone: 978-250-3343 Fax: 978-250-3373
Order On-line at www.hittite.com
Truth Table
Control Voltage
Bias Voltage & Current
Worst Case Step Error
Between Successive Attenuation States
Vdd = +5.0 Vdc ± 10%
Vdd
(VDC)
Idd (Typ.)
(mA)
+4.5 3.3
+5.0 3.5
+5.5 3.7
State Bias Condition
Low 0 to +0.8V @ -5 uA Typ.
High +2.0 to + 5.0 Vdc @ 30 uA Typ.
Note: Vdd = +5V
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 dB
Any combination of the above states will provide an attenuation
approximately equal to the sum of the bits selected.
-0.25
-0.15
-0.05
0.05
0.15
0.25
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5
STEP ERROR (dB)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
HMC539LP3 / 539LP3E
0.25 dB LSB GaAs MMIC 5-BIT DIGITAL
POSITIVE CONTROL ATTENUATOR, DC - 4 GHz
v00.0605
ATTENUATORS - SMT
5
5 - 167
For price, delivery, and to place orders, please contact Hittite Microwave Corporation:
20 Alpha Road, Chelmsford, MA 01824 Phone: 978-250-3343 Fax: 978-250-3373
Order On-line at www.hittite.com
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) 0.781 W
Thermal Resistance 83 °C/W
Storage Temperature -65 to +150 °C
Operating Temperature -40 to +85 °C
ESD Sensitivity (HBM) Class 1A
ELECTROSTATIC SENSITIVE DEVICE
OBSERVE HANDLING PRECAUTIONS
HMC539LP3 / 539LP3E
0.25 dB LSB GaAs MMIC 5-BIT DIGITAL
POSITIVE CONTROL ATTENUATOR, DC - 4 GHz
v00.0605
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.
Part Number Package Body Material Lead Finish MSL Rating Package Marking [3]
HMC539LP3 Low Stress Injection Molded Plastic Sn/Pb Solder MSL1 [1] 539
XXXX
HMC539LP3E RoHS-compliant Low Stress Injection Molded Plastic 100% matte Sn MSL1 [2] 539
XXXX
[1] Max peak re ow temperature of 235 °C
[2] Max peak re ow temperature of 260 °C
[3] 4-Digit lot number XXXX
Package Information
ATTENUATORS - SMT
5
5 - 168
For price, delivery, and to place orders, please contact Hittite Microwave Corporation:
20 Alpha Road, Chelmsford, MA 01824 Phone: 978-250-3343 Fax: 978-250-3373
Order On-line at www.hittite.com
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
HMC539LP3 / 539LP3E
0.25 dB LSB GaAs MMIC 5-BIT DIGITAL
POSITIVE CONTROL ATTENUATOR, DC - 4 GHz
v00.0605
Recommended Component Values
C1, C2 100 pF ± 10%
C3 1,000 pF ± 10%
C4 330 pF ± 10%
R1 - R5 100 Ohm ± 10%
ATTENUATORS - SMT
5
5 - 169
For price, delivery, and to place orders, please contact Hittite Microwave Corporation:
20 Alpha Road, Chelmsford, MA 01824 Phone: 978-250-3343 Fax: 978-250-3373
Order On-line at www.hittite.com
Evaluation PCB
The circuit board used in the nal application should
use RF circuit design techniques. Signal lines
should have 50 ohm impedance while the package
ground leads and exposed paddle should be con-
nected 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
Hittite upon request.
List of Materials for Evaluation PCB 110078 [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 HMC539LP3 / HMC539LP3E
Digital Attenuator
PCB [2] 110076 Evaluation PCB
[1] Reference this number when ordering complete evaluation PCB
[2] Circuit Board Material: Rogers 4350
HMC539LP3 / 539LP3E
0.25 dB LSB GaAs MMIC 5-BIT DIGITAL
POSITIVE CONTROL ATTENUATOR, DC - 4 GHz
v00.0605
