2 - 1
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 Online at www.hittite.com
ATTENUATORS
2
HMC-C053
VOLTAGE VARIABLE ATTENUATOR
MODULE, DC - 20 GHz
v04.0711
Functional Diagram
Electrical Specications, TA = +25° C, with +Vdc = +5V, Vdc = -5V & VCTL = 0 to -3V
The HMC-C053 is ideal for:
• Telecom Infrastructure
• Military Radio, Radar & ECM
• Space Systems
• Test Instrumentation
Wide Bandwidth: DC - 20 GHz
Low Phase Shift vs. Attenuation
30 dB Attenuation Range Up to 12 GHz
Hermetically Sealed Module
Field Replaceable SMA Connectors
-55 °C to +85 °C Operating Temperature
The HMC-C053 is an absorptive Voltage Variable
Attenuator (VVA) operating from DC - 20 GHz. The
HMC-C053 features a simple single voltage attenua-
tion control, 0 to -3V. The device is ideal in designs
where an analog DC control signal must control RF
signal levels over a 30 dB amplitude range. Its broad
frequency range makes it an attractive choice for many
applications particularly those involved with AGC or
temperature compensation of multiple gain stages,
typically found in microwave radio or test instrumenta-
tion architecture. Removable SMA connectors can be
detached to allow direct connection of the module’s
I/O pins to a microstrip or coplanar circuit.
Parameter Frequency (GHz) Min. Typ. Max. Units
Insertion Loss (VCTL = 0V)
DC - 5
5 - 10
10 - 14
14 - 20
1.5
1.9
2.4
4.0
dB
dB
dB
dB
Attenuation Range (VCTL = -2.9V)
DC - 5
5 - 10
10 - 14
14 - 20
30
31
27
23
32
33
30
26
dB
dB
dB
Return Loss at RF1 DC - 14
DC - 20
15
8
dB
dB
Input Power for 0.25 dB Compression Min Attenuation
Attenuation > 5 dB 0.5 - 8.0 7
-4
dBm
dBm
Input Third Order Intercept Point
(Two-Tone Input Power= 10 dBm Each Tone)
Min Attenuation
Attenuation > 10 dB 0.5 - 16 22
25
dBm
dBm
Switching Characteristics
tRISE, tFALL (10/90% RF)
tON, tOFF (50% CTL to 10/90% RF)
111, 83
125, 103
ns
ns
Typical Applications
Features
General Description
2 - 2
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 Online at www.hittite.com
ATTENUATORS
2
Insertion Loss vs.
Frequency Over Temperature
Return Loss RF1 vs.
Frequency Over Attenuation
Relative Attenuation vs.
Control Voltage @ 10 GHz
Input IP3 vs.
Frequency Over Attenuation
Relative Attenuation vs. Frequency
Relative Phase vs. Frequency
HMC-C053
v04.0711
VOLTAGE VARIABLE ATTENUATOR
MODULE, DC - 20 GHz
-5
-4
-3
-2
-1
0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
+25 C
-55 C
+85 C
INSERTION LOSS (dB)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
-35
-30
-25
-20
-15
-10
-5
0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
MIN
5 dB
MAX
RETURN LOSS (dB)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
-40
-35
-30
-25
-20
-15
-10
-5
0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
ATTENUATION (dB)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
-3
-2.5
-2
-1.5
-1
-0.5
0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
CONTROL VOLTAGE (V)
RELATIVE ATTENUATION (dB)
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
5 dB
10 dB
13 dB
18 dB
26 dB
31 dB
RELATIVE PHASE (DEG)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
0 dB
5 dB
10 dB
20 dB
IP3 (dBm)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
2 - 3
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 Online at www.hittite.com
ATTENUATORS
2
HMC-C053
v04.0711
VOLTAGE VARIABLE ATTENUATOR
MODULE, DC - 20 GHz
0.25 dB Compression vs.
Frequency Over Attenuation
1 dB Compression vs.
Frequency Over Attenuation
-10
-5
0
5
10
15
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
0 dB
5 dB
P0.25dB (dBm)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
-5
0
5
10
15
20
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
0 dB
5 dB
P1dB (dBm)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
2 - 4
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 Online at www.hittite.com
ATTENUATORS
2
Control Voltage
Bias Voltage & Current
State Bias Condition (Vctl)
Min Atten 0V
Max Atten -2.9V
Vdc Range= ± 10%
+Vdc / -Vdc Idc (Typ.)
(mA)
Idc (Max.)
(mA)
5.0 3.3 3.7
-5.0 -6.9 -8.8
Absolute Maximum Ratings
Control Voltage (Vctl) +1 to -5 Vdc
Bias Voltage (Vdc / -Vdc) +16V / -16V Vdc
RF Input Power (0.5 - 20 GHz) +18 dBm
Storage Temperature -65 to + 150 °C
Operating Temperature -55 to +85 °C
ELECTROSTATIC SENSITIVE DEVICE
OBSERVE HANDLING PRECAUTIONS
HMC-C053
v04.0711
VOLTAGE VARIABLE ATTENUATOR
MODULE, DC - 20 GHz
2 - 5
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 Online at www.hittite.com
ATTENUATORS
2
Outline Drawing
NOTES:
1. PACKAGE, LEADS, COVER MATERIAL: KOVAR™
2. FINISH: GOLD PLATE OVER NICKEL PLATE
3. ALL DIMENSIONS ARE IN INCHES [MILLIMETERS]
4. TOLERANCES:
4.1 .XX = ±0.02
4.2 .XXX = ±0.010
5. FIELD REPLACEABLE 2.92mm CONNECTORS
TENSOLITE 231CCSF OR EQUIVALENT
Package Information
Package Type C-10
Package Weight [1] 18.7 gms [2]
Spacer Weight 3.3 gms [2]
[1] Includes the connectors
[2] ±1 gms Tolerance
HMC-C053
v04.0711
VOLTAGE VARIABLE ATTENUATOR
MODULE, DC - 20 GHz
2 - 6
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 Online at www.hittite.com
ATTENUATORS
2
Pin Description
Pin Number Function Description Interface Schematic
1, 4 RF1, RF2
This pin is DC coupled and matched to 50 Ohm.
Blocking capacitors are required if the RF line
potential is not equal to 0V.
2Vctl Control Input (Master).
3GND Package bottom has exposed metal paddle that must also be
connected to PCB RF ground.
5, 6 -Vdc, +Vdc Supply Voltages
HMC-C053
v04.0711
VOLTAGE VARIABLE ATTENUATOR
MODULE, DC - 20 GHz
