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
HMC629LP4 / 629LP4E
v08 .0112
3 dB LSB GaAs MMIC 4-BIT
DIGITAL ATTENUATOR, DC - 6 GHz
Functional Diagram
Electrical Specications,
TA = +25° C, 50 Ohm System, with Vdd = +5V & Vctl = 0/+5V (Unless Otherwise Noted)
The HMC629LP4(E) is a broadband 4-bit GaAs IC
Digital Attenuator in a low cost leadless SMT package.
This versatile digital attenuator incorporates off-chip
AC ground capacitors for near DC operation, making
it suitable for a wide variety of RF and IF applications.
The dual mode control interface is CMOS/TTL
compatible, and accepts either a three wire serial input
or a 4-bit parallel word. For applications which require
only 33 dB of attenuation range, the HMC629LP4(E)
provides excellent attenuation accuracy up to 10 GHz.
The HMC629LP4(E) is housed in a RoHS compliant
4x4 mm QFN leadless package, and requires no
external matching components.
Parameter Frequency (GHz) Min. Typ. Max. Units
Insertion Loss DC - 6 2.5 5dB
dB
Attenuation Range DC - 6 45 dB
Return Loss (ATTIN, ATTOUT, All Atten. States) DC - 6 17 dB
Attenuation Accuracy: (Referenced to Insertion Loss)
All Attenuation States ± (0.50 + 5% of Atten. Setting) Max. dB
dB
Typical Applications Features
General Description
The HMC629LP4(E) is ideal for:
• Cellular/3G Infrastructure
• WiBro / WiMAX / 4G
• Microwave Radio & VSAT
• Test Equipment and Sensors
• IF & RF Applications
3 dB LSB Steps to 45 dB
Power-Up State Selection
Low Insertion Loss: 2.5 dB
TTL/CMOS Compatible, Serial, Parallel
or Latched Parallel Control
±0.25 dB Typical Step Error
Single +3V or +5V Supply
24 Lead 4x4mm SMT Package: 16mm2
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
HMC629LP4 / 629LP4E
v08 .0112
3 dB LSB GaAs MMIC 4-BIT
DIGITAL ATTENUATOR, DC - 6 GHz
Output Return Loss
(Only Major States are Shown)
Input Return Loss
(Only Major States are Shown)
Normalized Attenuation
(Only Major States are Shown)
Insertion Loss vs. Temperature
-40
-35
-30
-25
-20
-15
-10
-5
0
0246810
RETURN LOSS (dB)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
-40
-35
-30
-25
-20
-15
-10
-5
0
0246810
RETURN LOSS (dB)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
-60
-50
-40
-30
-20
-10
0
0246810
NORMALIZED ATTENUATION (dB)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
-20
-15
-10
-5
0
0246810
+25 C
+85 C
-40 C
INSERTION LOSS (dB)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
Bit Error vs. Frequency
(Only Major States are Shown)
Bit Error vs. Attenuation State
-6
-4
-2
0
2
4
6
0246810
BIT ERROR (dB)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
ALL BITS
BIT 24
-10
-8
-6
-4
-2
0
2
4
6
8
10
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45
BIT ERROR (dB)
ATTENUATION STATE (dB)
(7, 8, 10) GHz
(1, 2, 4, 5) GHz
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
HMC629LP4 / 629LP4E
v08 .0112
3 dB LSB GaAs MMIC 4-BIT
DIGITAL ATTENUATOR, DC - 6 GHz
Step Error vs. Frequency
(Only Major States are Shown)
-2
-1.5
-1
-0.5
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
0246810
STEP ERROR (dB)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
BIT 24
BIT (3, 6, 12)
ALL BITS
Serial Control Interface
-100
-80
-60
-40
-20
0
20
40
60
80
100
012345678910
RELATIVE PHASE (deg)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
(3, 6, 12) dB
24 dB
45 dB
Normal Relative Phase vs. Frequency
The HMC629LP4E contains a 3-wire SPI compatible digital interface (SERIN, CLK, LE). The serial control interface
is activated when P/S is kept high. The 4-bit serial word must be loaded MSB rst. The positive-edge sensitive CLK
and LE requires clean transitions. If mechanical switches are used, sufficient debouncing should be provided. When
LE is high, 4-bit data in the serial input register is transferred to the attenuator. When LE is high CLK is masked to
prevent data transition during output loading.
When P/S is low, 3-wire SPI interface inputs (SERIN, CLK, LE) are disabled and the input register is loaded with
parallel digital inputs (D0-D5). When LE is high, 4-bit parallel data changes the state of the part per truth table.
For all modes of operations, the state will stay constant while LE is kept low.
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
HMC629LP4 / 629LP4E
v08 .0112
3 dB LSB GaAs MMIC 4-BIT
DIGITAL ATTENUATOR, DC - 6 GHz
Parallel Mode (Direct Parallel Mode & Latched Parallel Mode)
Note: The parallel mode is enabled when P/S is set to low.
Direct Parallel Mode - The attenuation state is changed by the Control Voltage Inputs directly. The LE (Latch Enable)
must be at a logic high to control the attenuator in this manner.
Latched Parallel Mode - The attenuation state is selected using the Control Voltage Inputs and set while the LE is in
the Low state. The attenuator will not change state while LE is Low. Once all Control Voltage Inputs are at the desired
states the LE is pulsed. See timing diagram below for reference.
Timing Diagram (Latched Parallel Mode)
Bias Voltage
Vdd (Vdc) Idd (Typ.) (mA)
52.0
Control Voltage Input Attenuation State
D3 D2 D1 D0
High High High High Reference
I.L.
High High High Low 3 dB
High High Low High 6 dB
High Low High High 12 dB
Low High High High 24 dB
Any combination of the above states will provide an attenuation
approximately equal to the sum of the bits selected.
Truth Table
PUP Truth Table
LE PUP1 PUP2 Attenuation State
0 0 0 45 dB
0 1 0 45 dB
0 0 1 45 dB
011Insertion Loss
1X X 0 to 45 dB
Note: Power-Up with LE= 1 provides direct parallel operation with
D0 - D3.
Parameter Typ.
Min. serial period, tSCK 100 ns
Control set-up time, tCS 20 ns
Control hold-time, tCH 20 ns
LE setup-time, tLN 10 ns
Min. LE pulse width, tLEW 10 ns
Min LE pulse spacing, tLES 630 ns
Serial clock hold-time from LE, tCKN 10 ns
Hold Time, tPH. 0 ns
Latch Enable Minimum Width, tLEN 10 ns
Setup Time, tPS 2 ns
Control Voltage Table
State Vdd = +3V Vdd = +5V
Low 0 to 0.5V @ <1 µA 0 to 0.8V @ <1 µA
High 2 to 3V @ <1 µA 2 to 5V @ <1 µA
Power-Up States
If LE is set to logic LOW at power-up, the logic state of
PUP1 and PUP2 determines the power-up state of the
part per PUP truth table. If the LE is set to logic HIGH
at power-up, the logic state of D3-D0 determines
the power-up state of the part per truth table. The
attenuator latches in the desired power-up state
approximately 200 ms after power-up.
Power-On Sequence
The ideal power-up sequence is: GND, Vdd, digital
inputs, RF inputs. The relative order of the digital
inputs are not important as long as they are powered
after Vdd / GND
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
HMC629LP4 / 629LP4E
v08 .0112
3 dB LSB GaAs MMIC 4-BIT
DIGITAL ATTENUATOR, DC - 6 GHz
Absolute Maximum Ratings
RF Input Power (DC - 6 GHz) 28 dBm (T = +85 °C)
Digital Inputs (Data, Shift Clock,
Latch Enable & Serial Input) -0.5 to Vdd +0.5V
Bias Voltage (Vdd) 5.6V
Channel Temperature 150 °C
Continuous Pdiss (T = 85 °C)
(derate 10 mW/°C above 85 °C) [1] 0.66 W
Thermal Resistance 98.5 °C/W
Storage Temperature -65 to +150 °C
Operating Temperature -40 to +85 °C
ELECTROSTATIC SENSITIVE DEVICE
OBSERVE HANDLING PRECAUTIONS
Outline Drawing
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 PCB DESIGN AND ASSEMBLY FOR QFN PACKAGES
APPLICATION NOTE FOR SUGGESTED LAND PATTERN.
Part Number Package Body Material Lead Finish MSL Rating Package Marking [3]
HMC629LP4 Low Stress Injection Molded Plastic Sn/Pb Solder MSL1 [1] H629
XXXX
HMC629LP4E RoHS-compliant Low Stress Injection Molded Plastic 100% matte Sn MSL1 [2] H629
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
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
HMC629LP4 / 629LP4E
v08 .0112
3 dB LSB GaAs MMIC 4-BIT
DIGITAL ATTENUATOR, DC - 6 GHz
Pin Number Function Description Interface Schematic
24 P/S
See truth table, control voltage
table and timing diagram.
1CLK
2SERIN
3LE
4, 15 GND These pins and package bottom
must be connected to RF/DC ground.
5, 14 ATTIN,
ATTOUT
These pins are DC coupled and matched to 50 Ohms.
Blocking capacitors are required. Select value based
on lowest frequency of operation.
6 - 13 ACG1 - ACG6
External capacitors to ground are required. Select value for
lowest frequency of operation. Place capacitor as close to
pins as possible. See Application Circuit.
16 SEROUT Serial input data delayed by 6 clock cycles.
17, 18 PUP2, PUP1
See truth table, control voltage
table and timing diagram.
20 - 23 D3, D2, D1, D0
19 Vdd Supply voltage
Pin Descriptions
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
HMC629LP4 / 629LP4E
v08 .0112
3 dB LSB GaAs MMIC 4-BIT
DIGITAL ATTENUATOR, DC - 6 GHz
Application Circuit
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
HMC629LP4 / 629LP4E
v08 .0112
3 dB LSB GaAs MMIC 4-BIT
DIGITAL ATTENUATOR, DC - 6 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 118889 [1]
Item Description
J1, J2 PCB Mount SMA Connector
J10, J12 DC Pin
J11 18 Pin DC Connector
C1 - C2 100 pF, capacitor 0402 pkg
C3 1000 pF, capacitor 0402 pkg
C4 - C8 330 pF, capacitor 0402 pkg
R1 - R10 100 kOhm Resistor, 0402 Pkg.
SW1 SPDT 4 Position DIP Switch
U1 HMC629LP4(E) Digital Attenuator
PCB [2] 118888 Evaluation PCB
[1] Reference this number when ordering complete evaluation PCB
[2] Circuit Board Material: Arlon 25FR
