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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
HMC542ALP4 / 542ALP4E
v06.0312
0.5 dB LSB GaAs MMIC 6-BIT DIGITAL
SERIAL CONTROL ATTENUATOR, DC - 4 GHz
Functional Diagram
Electrical Specications, TA = +25° C, with Vcc = +5V
The HMC542ALP4(E) is ideal for:
• Cellular/PCS/3G Infrastructure
• ISM, MMDS, WLAN, WiMAX, & WiBro
• Microwave Radio & VSAT
• Test Equipment and Sensors
0.5 dB LSB Steps to 31.5 dB
TTL/CMOS Compatible Serial Data Interface
SPI Compatible Serial Output
± 0.25 dB Typical Step Error
Single +5V Supply
24 Lead 4x4mm QFN Package: 16mm²
The HMC542ALP4(E) is a broadband 6-bit GaAs IC
digital attenuator with a CMOS compatible serial
to parallel driver in low cost leadless surface mount
package. This serial control digital attenuator incorp
rates off chip AC ground capacitors for near DC opera-
tion, making it suitable for a wide variety of RF and
IF applications. Covering DC to 4 GHz, the inser-
tion loss is 1.5 dB and the attenuator bit values are
0.5 (LSB), 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16 dB for a total attenua-
tion of 31.5 dB. Attenuation accuracy is excellent at
±0.25 dB typical step error with an IIP3 of +45 dBm.
Six bit serial control words 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
1.2
1.5
1.8
1.5
1.8
2.3
dB
dB
dB
Attenuation Range DC - 4.0 GHz 31.5 dB
Return Loss (RF1 & RF2, All Atten. States) DC - 4.0 GHz 17 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
0.5 - 3.5 dB States
4.0 - 31.5 dB States
DC - 1.0 GHz
1.0 - 2.2 GHz
1.0 - 2.2 GHz
2.2 - 3.0 GHz
3.0 - 4.0 GHz
3.0 - 4.0 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
± (0.15 + 5% of Atten. Setting) Max
± (0.50 + 5% of Atten. Setting) Max.
dB
dB
dB
dB
dB
Input Power for 0.1 dB Compression 0.1 - 4.0 GHz 20 dBm
Input Third Order Intercept Point
(Two-Tone Input Power= 0 dBm Each Tone)
0.1 - 1.5 GHz
1.5 - 4.0 GHz
35
45
dBm
dBm
Switching Characteristics
tRISE, tFALL (10/90% RF)
tON, tOFF (50% CTL to 10/90% RF)
DC - 4.0 GHz
800
900
ns
ns
Typical Applications Features
General Description
Designer’s Kit
Available
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
HMC542ALP4 / 542ALP4E
v06.0312
0.5 dB LSB GaAs MMIC 6-BIT DIGITAL
SERIAL 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
+25 C
+85 C
-40 C
INSERTION LOSS (dB)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
-35
-30
-25
-20
-15
-10
-5
0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4
NORMALIZED ATTENUATION (dB)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
-40
-20
0
20
40
60
80
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4
RELATIVE PHASE (deg)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
8 dB
16 dB
31.5 dB
0.5-4 dB
-2
-1.5
-1
-0.5
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4
BIT ERROR (dB)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
16 dB
0.5-8B 31.5 dB
-40
-35
-30
-25
-20
-15
-10
-5
0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4
RETURN LOSS (dB)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
0.5-16 dB
31.5 dB
-1
-0.8
-0.6
-0.4
-0.2
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
1.2
0 4 8 12 16 20 24 28 32
BIT ERROR (dB)
ATTENUATION STATE (dB)
3 GHz
2 GHz
1 GHz
500 MHz
40 MHz
100 MHz
3.6 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
HMC542ALP4 / 542ALP4E
v06.0312
0.5 dB LSB GaAs MMIC 6-BIT DIGITAL
SERIAL CONTROL ATTENUATOR, DC - 4 GHz
Worst Case Step Error
Between Successive Attenuation States
-1
-0.8
-0.6
-0.4
-0.2
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4
STEP ERROR (dB)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
Timing Diagram
Truth Table
Control Voltage Input Attenuation
State
RF1 - RF2
C16 C8 C4 C2 C1 C0.5
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.
Digital Control Voltages
State Vcc = +5V
Low 0 to 1.3V
High 3 to 5V
Parameter Symbol Vcc = +5V Units
Min. Max.
Serial Input Setup Time ts 20 -ns
Hold time from Serial
Input to Shift Clock th 0 - ns
Setup time from Shift
Clock to Latch Enable tlsup 40 -ns
Latch Enable Window,
Latch Enable to C0.5
through C8
tpd -30 ns
Setup time from Reset to
Shift Clock -20 -ns
Clock Frequency
(1/tclk) fclk -30 MHz
Timing
Serial Input Truth Table
Latch
Enable
Shift
Clock Reset Function
X X LShift register cleared
XáHShift register clocked
áXH
Contents of shift register
transferred to Digital
Attenuator
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
HMC542ALP4 / 542ALP4E
v06.0312
0.5 dB LSB GaAs MMIC 6-BIT DIGITAL
SERIAL CONTROL ATTENUATOR, DC - 4 GHz
Logic / Functional Diagram
Programming Example to Select 16 dB Attenuation State
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
HMC542ALP4 / 542ALP4E
v06.0312
0.5 dB LSB GaAs MMIC 6-BIT DIGITAL
SERIAL CONTROL ATTENUATOR, DC - 4 GHz
Pin Number Function Description Interface Schematic
1, 3, 5, 14,
16-18, 23 N/C
These pins are not connected internally. However, all data
shown herein was measured with these pins connected
to RF/DC Ground.
2Vcc Supply Voltage.
4, 15 RF1, RF2
This pin is DC coupled and matched to 50 Ohms
Blocking capacitors are required. Select value based on
lowest frequency of operation.
6 - 11, 13 ACG1 - ACG7
External capacitor to ground is required. Select value for
lowest frequency of operation. Place capacitor as close to
pins as possible.
12 N/C This pin is not connected internally and any connection made
to it externally will have no effect on product performance.
19 Serial Output Serial data output. Serial input data
delayed by 8 clock cycles
20 Reset
See truth table, control voltage table and timing diagram.
21 Shift Clock
22 Latch Enable
24 Serial Input
GND Package bottom has an exposed metal paddle
that must be connected to RF/DC Ground.
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
6
HMC542ALP4 / 542ALP4E
v06.0312
0.5 dB LSB GaAs MMIC 6-BIT DIGITAL
SERIAL CONTROL ATTENUATOR, DC - 4 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
7
HMC542ALP4 / 542ALP4E
v06.0312
0.5 dB LSB GaAs MMIC 6-BIT DIGITAL
SERIAL CONTROL ATTENUATOR, DC - 4 GHz
Absolute Maximum Ratings
Outline Drawing
RF Input Power (DC - 4.0 GHz) +27 dBm (T = +85 °C)
Digital Inputs (Reset, Shift Clock,
Latch Enable & Serial Input) -0.5 to (Vcc +0.5) V
Bias Voltage (Vcc) +5.6 V
Channel Temperature 150 °C
Continuous Pdiss (T = 85 °C)
(derate 7.7 mW/°C above 85 °C) 0.5 W
Thermal Resistance 130 °C/W
Storage Temperature -65 to +150 °C
Operating Temperature -40 to +85 °C
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
Package Information
Bias Voltage
Vcc (V) Idd (Typ.) (mA)
+4.5 4.7
+5.0 5.0
+5.5 5.3
Part Number Package Body Material Lead Finish MSL Rating Package Marking [3]
HMC542ALP4 Low Stress Injection Molded Plastic Sn/Pb Solder MSL1 [1] H542A
XXXX
HMC542ALP4E RoHS-compliant Low Stress Injection Molded Plastic 100% matte Sn MSL1 [2] H542A
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
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
HMC542ALP4 / 542ALP4E
v06.0312
0.5 dB LSB GaAs MMIC 6-BIT DIGITAL
SERIAL 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
Hittite upon request.
List of Materials for Evaluation PCB 114399 [1]
Item Description
J1 - J2 PCB Mount SMA Connector
J3 18 Pin DC Connector
J4, J5 DC Pin
C1 1000 pF Capacitor, 0603 Pkg.
C2, C3 1000 pF Capacitor, 0402 Pkg.
C4 - C7 330 pF Capacitor, 0402 Pkg.
U1 HMC542ALP4(E) Digital Attenuator
PCB [2] 114398 Evaluation PCB
[1] Reference this number when ordering complete evaluation PCB
[2] Circuit Board Material: Rogers 4350 or Arlon 25FR
