EK43502-01 - Peregrine Semiconductor

Page 1 of 11

The PE43502 is a HaRP™-enhanced, high linearity, 5-bit RF

Digital Step Attenuator (DSA). This highly versatile DSA

covers a 15.5 dB attenuation range in 0.5 dB steps. The

Peregrine 50Ω RF DSA provides multiple CMOS control

interfaces. It maintains high attenuation accuracy over

frequency and temperature and exhibits very low insertion loss

and low power consumption. Performance does not change

with VDD due to on-board regulator. This next generation

Peregrine DSA is available in a 4x4 mm 24-lead QFN footprint.

The PE43502 is manufactured on Peregrine’s UltraCMOS™

process, a patented variation of silicon-on-insulator (SOI)

technology on a sapphire substrate, offering the performance

of GaAs with the economy and integration of conventional

CMOS.

Product Specification

50 Ω RF Digital Attenuator

5-bit, 15.5 dB, 9 kHz - 6 GHz

Product Description

PE43502

Features

 HaRP™-enhanced UltraCMOS™ device

 Attenuation: 0.5 dB steps to 15.5-dB

 High Linearity: Typical +58 dBm IP3

 Excellent low-frequency performance

 3.3 V or 5.0 V Power Supply Voltage

 Fast switch settling time

 Programming Modes:

 Direct Parallel

 Latched Parallel

 Serial

 High-attenuation state @ power-up (PUP)

 CMOS Compatible

 No DC blocking capacitors required

 Packaged in a 24-lead 4x4x0.85 mm QFN

Figure 1. Package Photo

24-lead 4x4x0.85 mm QFN Package

Figure 2. Functional Schematic Diagram

Control Logic Interface

RF Input RF Output

Switched Attenuator Array

Serial In

CLK

Parallel Control 5

P/S

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Product Specification

PE43502

Page 2 of 11

-2

-1.5

-1

-0.5

0.5

1.5

012345678910111213141516

Attenuation Setting (dB)

Attenuation Error (dB)

200MHz 900MHz 1800MHz 2200MHz

3000MHz 4000MHz 5000MHz 6000MHz

-2

-1.5

-1

-0.5

0.5

1.5

0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000

Frequency (GHz)

Bit Error (dB)

0.5 dB State 1dB State 2dB State

4dB State 8dB State 15.5dB State

-0.5

0.5

1.5

012345678910111213141516

Attenuation Setting (dB)

Step Error (dB)

200MHz 900MHz 1800MHz 2200MHz

3000MHz 4000MHz 5000MHz 6000MHz

Table 1. Electrical Specifications @ +25°C, VDD = 3.3 V or 5.0 V

Parameter Test Conditions Frequency Min Typical Max Units

Frequency Range 9 kHz 6 GHz

Attenuation Range 0.5 dB Step 0 – 15.5 dB

Insertion Loss 9 kHz ≤ 6 GHz 2.4 2.9 dB

Attenuation Error

0 dB - 15.5 dB Attenuation settings

0 dB - 7.5 dB Attenuation settings

8 dB - 15.5 dB Attenuation settings

0 dB - 15.5 dB Attenuation settings

9 kHz < 4 GHz

4 GHz ≤ 6 GHz

±(0.3 + 3%)

+0.4 + 4%

+0.6 + 8%

-0.2 - 3%

Return Loss 9 kHz - 6 GHz 17 dB

Relative Phase All States 9 kHz - 6 GHz 18 deg

P1dB (note 1) Input 20 MHz - 6 GHz 30 32 dBm

IIP3 Two tones at +18 dBm, 20 MHz spacing 20 MHz - 6 GHz 58 dBm

Typical Spurious Value 1 MHz -110 dBm

Video Feed Through 10 mVpp

Switching Time 50% DC CTRL to 10% / 90% RF 650 ns

RF Trise/Tfall 10% / 90% RF 400 ns

Settling Time RF settled to within 0.05 dB of final value

RBW = 5 MHz, Averaging ON. 4 µs

Performance Plots

*Monotonicity is held so long as Step-Error does not cross below -0.5

Figure 3. 0.5dB Step Error vs. Frequency*

Figure 5. 0.5dB Major State Bit Error Figure 6. 0.5dB Attenuation Error vs. Frequency

900 MHz

2200 MHz

3800 MHz

5800 MHz

5 1015202530035

Attenuation State

Attenuation dB

Attenuation

Figure 4. 1dB Attenuation vs. Attenuation State

(dB)

Note 1. Please note Maximum Operating Pin (50Ω) of +23dBm as shown in Table 3.

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Product Specification

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0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500

Frequency (MHz)

Input IP3 (dBm)

0dB 0.5dB 1dB 2dB 4dB 8dB

-2

-1.5

-1

-0.5

0.5

1.5

012345678910111213141516

Attenuation Setting (dB)

Attenuation Error (dB)

-40C +25C +85C

012345678

Frequency (GHz)

Relative Phase Error (Deg)

0dB 0.5dB 1dB 2dB

4dB 8dB 15.5dB

-45

-40

-35

-30

-25

-20

-15

-10

-5

0123456789

Frequency (GHz)

Return Loss (dB)

0dB 0.5dB 1dB 2dB

4dB 8dB 15.5dB

-40

-35

-30

-25

-20

-15

-10

-5

0123456789

Frequency (GHz)

Input Return Loss (dB)

0dB 0.5dB 1dB 2dB

4dB 8dB 15.5dB

Figure 7. Insertion Loss vs. Temperature Figure 8. Input Return Loss vs. Attenuation

@ T = +25C

Figure 9. Output Return Loss vs. Attenuation

@ T = +25C

Figure 10. Relative Phase vs. Frequency

Figure 11. Attenuation Error vs. Temperature

@ 6 GHz

Figure 12. Input IP3 vs. Frequency

-3.5

-3

-2.5

-2

-1.5

-1

-0.5

0123456789

Frequency (GHz)

Insertion Loss (dB)

-40C +25C +85C

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1.0E+03 1.0E+04 1.0E+05 1.0E+06 1.0E+07 1.0E+08 1.0E+09

Pin dBm

Exposed

Solder

Pad

GND

VDD

P/S

GND GND

CLK

C 0.5

RF1

GND

RF2

GND GND

GND

Table 2. Pin Descriptions

Figure 13. Pin Configuration (Top View)

Pin No. Pin Name Description

1 GND Ground

2 VDD Power supply pin

3 Pิ/S Serial/Parallel mode select

4 GND Ground

5 RF1 RF1 port

6 - 13 GND Ground

14 RF2 RF2 port

15 GND Ground

16 LE Serial interface Latch Enable input

17 CLK Serial interface Clock input

18 SI Serial interface Data input

19 GND Ground

20 C8 (D5) Parallel control bit, 8 dB

21 C4 (D4) Parallel control bit, 4 dB

22 C2 (D3) Parallel control bit, 2 dB

23 C1 (D2) Parallel control bit, 1 dB

24 C0.5 (D1) Parallel control bit, 0.5 dB

Paddle GND Ground for proper operation

Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) Precautions

When handling this UltraCMOS™ device, observe the

same precautions that you would use with other ESD-

sensitive devices. Although this device contains

circuitry to protect it from damage due to ESD,

precautions should be taken to avoid exceeding the

specified rating.

Exposed Solder Pad Connection

The exposed solder pad on the bottom of the package

must be grounded for proper device operation.

Latch-Up Avoidance

Unlike conventional CMOS devices, UltraCMOS™

devices are immune to latch-up.

Switching Frequency

The PE43503 has a maximum 25 kHz switching rate.

Switching rate is defined to be the speed at which the

DSA can be toggled across attenuation states.

Exceeding absolute maximum ratings may cause

permanent damage. Operation should be restricted to

the limits in the Operating Ranges table. Operation

between operating range maximum and absolute

maximum for extended periods may reduce reliability.

Moisture Sensitivity Level

The Moisture Sensitivity Level rating for the PE43502 in

the 24-lead 4x4 QFN package is MSL1.

Note: 1. Human Body Model (HBM, MIL_STD 883 Method 3015.7)

Figure 14. Maximum Power Handling Capability

Table 3. Operating Ranges

Table 4. Absolute Maximum Ratings

Symbol Parameter/Conditions Min Max Units

VDD Power supply voltage -0.3 6.0 V

VI Voltage on any Digital input -0.3 5.8 V

TST Storage temperature range -65 150 °C

Input power (50Ω)

9 kHz ≤ 20 MHz

20 MHz ≤ 6 GHz

Fig. 14

+23

dBm

VESD ESD voltage (HBM)1

ESD voltage (Machine Model) 500

100

Parameter Min Typ Max Units

VDD Power Supply Voltage 3.0 3.3 V

IDD Power Supply Current 70 350 μA

Digital Input High 2.6 5.5 V

PIN Input power (50Ω):

9 kHz ≤ 20 MHz

20 MHz ≤ 6 GHz

Fig. 14

+23

dBm

TOP Operating temperature range -40 25 85 °C

Digital Input Low 0 1 V

Digital Input Leakage1 15 μA

VDD Power Supply Voltage 5.0 5.5 V

Note 1. Input leakage current per Control pin

Note: Ground C0.5, C1 C2, C4, C8, if not in use.

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Product Specification

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Page 5 of 11

Table 5. Control Voltage

State Bias Condition

Low 0 to +1.0 Vdc at 2 µA (typ)

High +2.6 to +5 Vdc at 10 µA (typ)

Table 6. Latch and Clock Specifications

Latch Enable Function

X Shift Register Clocked

↑ Contents of shift register

transferred to attenuator core

Shift Clock

↑

Attenuation Word Attenuation

Setting

RF1-RF2

D7 D6 D5 D4 D3 D2 D1 D0

(LSB)

L L L L L L L L Reference I.L.

L L L L L L H L 0.5 dB

L L L L L H L L 1 dB

L L L L H L L L 2 dB

L L L H L L L L 4 dB

L L H L L L L L 8 dB

L L H H H H H L 15.5 dB

Table 8. Attenuation Word Truth Table

Table 9. Serial Register Map

Q7 Q6 Q5 Q4 Q3 Q2 Q1 Q0

D7 D6 D5 D4 D3 D2 D1 D0

Attenuation Word

LSB (first in)

MSB (last in)

Bits must be set to logic low

Attenuation Word is derived directly from the attenuation value. For example, to program the 12.5 dB state:

Attenuation Word: Multiply by 4 and convert to binary → 4 * 12.5 dB → 50 → 00110010

Serial Input: 00110010

Parallel Control Setting

Attenuation Setting

RF1-RF2

D5 D4 D3 D2 D1

L L L L L Reference I.L.

L L L L H 0.5 dB

L L L H L 1 dB

L L H L L 2 dB

L H L L L 4 dB

H L L L L 8 dB

H H H H H 15.5 dB

Table 7. Parallel Truth Table

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Product Specification

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Programming Options

Parallel/Serial Selection

Either a parallel or serial interface can be used to

control the PE43502. The Pิ/S bit provides this

selection, with Pิ/S=LOW selecting the parallel

interface and Pิ/S=HIGH selecting the serial

interface.

Parallel Mode Interface

The parallel interface consists of five CMOS-

compatible control lines that select the desired

attenuation state, as shown in Table 7.

The parallel interface timing requirements are

defined by Fig. 16 (Parallel Interface Timing

Diagram), Table 11 (Parallel Interface AC

Characteristics), and switching speed (Table 1).

For latched-parallel programming the Latch Enable

(LE) should be held LOW while changing attenuation

state control values, then pulse LE HIGH to LOW

(per Fig. 16) to latch new attenuation state into

device.

For direct parallel programming, the Latch Enable

(LE) line should be pulled HIGH. Changing

attenuation state control values will change device

state to new attenuation. Direct Mode is ideal for

manual control of the device (using hardwire,

switches, or jumpers).

Serial Interface

The serial interface is a 8-bit serial-in, parallel-out

shift register buffered by a transparent latch. The 8-

bits make up the Attenuation Word that controls the

DSA. Fig. 15 illustrates a example timing diagram for

programming a state.

The serial-interface is controlled using three CMOS-

compatible signals: Serial-In (SI), Clock (CLK), and

Latch Enable (LE). The SI and CLK inputs allow

data to be serially entered into the shift register.

Serial data is clocked in LSB first.

The shift register must be loaded while LE is held

LOW to prevent the attenuator value from changing

as data is entered. The LE input should then be

toggled HIGH and brought LOW again, latching the

new data into the DSA. Attenuation Word truth table

is listed in Table 8. A programming example of the

serial register is illustrated in Table 9. The serial

timing diagram is illustrated in Fig. 15. It is required

that all parallel pins be grounded when the DSA is

used in serial mode.

Power-up Control Settings

The PE43502 will always initialize to the maximum

attenuation setting (15.5 dB) on power-up for both

the serial and latched-parallel modes of operation

and will remain in this setting until the user latches in

the next programming word. In direct-parallel mode,

the DSA can be preset to any state within the 15.5

dB range by pre-setting the parallel control pins prior

to power-up. In this mode, there is a 400-µs delay

between the time the DSA is powered-up to the time

the desired state is set. During this power-up delay,

the device attenuates to the maximum attenuation

setting (15.5 dB) before defaulting to the user

defined state. If the control pins are left floating in

this mode during power-up, the device will default to

the minimum attenuation setting (insertion loss

state).

Dynamic operation between serial and parallel

programming modes is possible.

If the DSA powers up in serial mode (Pิ/S = HIGH),

all the parallel control inputs DI[5:1] must be set to

logic low. Prior to toggling to parallel mode, the DSA

must be programmed serially to ensure D[7] is set to

logic low.

If the DSA powers up in either latched or direct-

parallel mode, all parallel pins DI[5:1] must be set to

logic low prior to toggling to serial mode (Pิ/S

= HIGH), and held low until the DSA has been

programmed serially to ensure bit D[7] is set to logic

low.

The sequencing is only required once on power-

up. Once completed, the DSA may be toggled

between serial and parallel programming modes at

will.

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Product Specification

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Table 11. Parallel and Direct Interface AC Table 10. Serial Interface AC Characteristics

VDD = 3.3 or 5.0 V, -40° C < TA < 85° C, unless otherwise specified

Figure 15. Serial Timing Diagram

Figure 16. Latched-Parallel/Direct-Parallel Timing Diagram

Symbol Parameter Min Max Unit

TLEPW Latch Enable minimum

pulse width 30 - ns

TDISU Parallel data setup time 100 - ns

TDIH Parallel data hold time 100 - ns

TPSSU Parallel/Serial setup time 100 - ns

TPSIH Parallel/Serial hold time 100 - ns

TPD Digital register delay

(internal) - 10 ns

TDIPD Digital register delay

(internal, direct mode only) - 5 ns

Characteristics

VALID

DISU

DIH

DI[5:1]

P/S

PSSU

PSIH

LEPW

VALID

DO[5:1]

DIPD

Symbol Parameter Min. Max. Unit

FCLK Serial clock frequency - 10 MHz

TCLKH Serial clock HIGH time 30 - ns

TCLKL Serial clock LOW time 30 - ns

TLESU

Last serial clock rising edge

setup time to Latch Enable

rising edge

10 - ns

TLEPW Latch Enable minimum pulse

width 30 - ns

TSISU Serial data setup time 10 - ns

TSIH Serial data hold time 10 - ns

TDISU Parallel data setup time 100 - ns

TDIH Parallel data hold time 100 - ns

TASU Address setup time 100 - ns

TAH Address hold time 100 - ns

TPSSU Parallel/Serial setup time 100 - ns

TPSH Parallel/Serial hold time 100 - ns

TPD Digital register delay (internal) - 10 ns

D[0], D[6] and D[7] must be set to logic low

Bits can either be set to logic high or logic low

D[0] D[1] D[2] D[3] D[4] D[5] D[7]

SISU

CLKL

LEPW

SIH

CLKH

CLK

P/S

LESU

PSSU

PSIH

VALID

DISU

DIH

D[6]

DI[5:1]

DO[6:0]

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Product Specification

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Page 8 of 11

Evaluation Kit

The Digital Attenuator Evaluation Kit board was

designed to ease customer evaluation of the

PE43502 Digital Step Attenuator.

Direct-Parallel Programming Procedure

For automated direct-parallel programming,

connect the test harness provided with the EVK

from the parallel port of the PC to the J1 & Serial

header pin and set the D0-D6 SP3T switches to

the ‘MIDDLE’ toggle position. Position the

Parallel/Serial (Pิ/S) select switch to the Parallel

(or left) position. The evaluation software is

written to operate the DSA in either Parallel or

Serial-Addressable Mode. Ensure that the

software is set to program in Direct-Parallel mode.

Using the software, enable or disable each setting

to the desired attenuation state. The software

automatically programs the DSA each time an

attenuation state is enabled or disabled.

For manual direct-parallel programming,

disconnect the test harness provided with the EVK

from the J1 and Serial header pins. Position the

Parallel/Serial (Pิ/S) select switch to the Parallel

(or left) position. The LE pin on the Serial header

must be tied to VDD. Switches D0-D6 are SP3T

switches which enable the user to manually

program the parallel bits. When any input D0-D6

is toggled ‘UP’, logic high is presented to the

parallel input. When toggled ‘DOWN’, logic low is

presented to the parallel input. Setting D0-D6 to

the ‘MIDDLE’ toggle position presents an OPEN,

which forces an on-chip logic low. Table 9 depicts

the parallel programming truth table and Fig. 16

illustrates the parallel programming timing

diagram.

Latched-Parallel Programming Procedure

For automated latched-parallel programming, the

procedure is identical to the direct-parallel

method. The user only must ensure that Latched-

Parallel is selected in the software.

For manual latched-parallel programming, the

procedure is identical to direct-parallel except now

the LE pin on the Serial header must be logic low

Figure 17. Evaluation Board Layout

Peregrine Specification 101-0310

as the parallel bits are applied. The user must

then pulse LE from 0V to VDD and back to 0V to

latch the programming word into the DSA. LE

must be logic low prior to programming the next

word.

Serial Programming Procedure

Position the Parallel/Serial (Pิ/S) select switch to

the Serial (or right) position. The evaluation

software is written to operate the DSA in either

Parallel or Serial Mode. Ensure that the software

is set to program in Serial mode. Using the

software, enable or disable each setting to the

desired attenuation state. The software

automatically programs the DSA each time an

attenuation state is enabled or disabled.

Note: Reference Figure 18 for Evaluation Board Schematic

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Product Specification

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Page 9 of 11

Figure 19. Package Drawing

Figure 18. Evaluation Board Schematic

Peregrine Specification 102-0379

Note: Capacitors C1-C8, C13, & C14 may be omitted.

Z=50 Ohm

De-embedi ng t race

Z=50 Ohm

Z= 50 Ohm

43X0X DSA 50 Ohm 4x4 MLP24

100pF

SM A

P/ S

100pF

10 10

12 12

14 14 13

911

HEADER 14

SM A

100pF

C10

100pF

SM A

100pF

0.1µF

100pF

CON 2

1CLOCK

2DATA

3LE

4GN D

SERI A L

HEADER 4

C13

100pF

C14

100pF

1CP25

2VDD

3S/ P

4GND

5RF1

6GND

7GND

8GND

9GND

10 GND

11 GND

12 GND

GND

RF2

GND

CLK

C16

CP5

VDD

P/ S

CLK

DATA

VDD

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Product Specification

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Table 12. Ordering Information

Order Code Part Marking Description Package Shipping Method

PE43502MLI 43502 PE43502G-24QFN 4x4mm-75A Green 24-lead 4x4mm QFN Bulk or tape cut from reel

PE43502MLI-Z 43502 PE43502G-24QFN 4x4mm-3000C Green 24-lead 4x4mm QFN 3000 units / T&R

EK43502-01 PE43502 -EK PE43502-24QFN 4x4mm-EK Evaluation Kit 1 / Box

Figure 21. Marking Specifications

43502

YYWW

ZZZZZ

YYWW = Date Code

ZZZZZ = Last five digits of Lot Number

Figure 20. Tape and Reel Drawing

Device Orientation in Tape

Top of

Device

Pin 1

Tape Feed Direction

A0 = 4.35

B0 = 4.35

K0 = 1.1

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Sales Offices

The Americas

Peregrine Semiconductor Corporation

9380 Carroll Park Drive

San Diego, CA 92121

Tel: 858-731-9400

Fax: 858-731-9499

Europe

Peregrine Semiconductor Europe

Bâtiment Maine

13-15 rue des Quatre Vents

F-92380 Garches, France

Tel: +33-1-4741-9173

Fax : +33-1-4741-9173

For a list of representatives in your area, please refer to our Web site at: www.psemi.com

Data Sheet Identification

Advance Information

The product is in a formative or design stage. The data

sheet contains design target specifications for product

development. Specifications and features may change in

any manner without notice.

Preliminary Specification

The data sheet contains preliminary data. Additional data

may be added at a later date. Peregrine reserves the right

to change specifications at any time without notice in order

to supply the best possible product.

Product Specification

The data sheet contains final data. In the event Peregrine

decides to change the specifications, Peregrine will notify

customers of the intended changes by issuing a CNF

(Customer Notification Form).

The information in this data sheet is believed to be reliable.

However, Peregrine assumes no liability for the use of this

information. Use shall be entirely at the user’s own risk.

No patent rights or licenses to any circuits described in this

data sheet are implied or granted to any third party.

Peregrine’s products are not designed or intended for use in

devices or systems intended for surgical implant, or in other

applications intended to support or sustain life, or in any

application in which the failure of the Peregrine product could

create a situation in which personal injury or death might occur.

Peregrine assumes no liability for damages, including

consequential or incidental damages, arising out of the use of

its products in such applications.

The Peregrine name, logo, and UTSi are registered trademarks

and UltraCMOS, HaRP, MultiSwitch and DuNE are trademarks

of Peregrine Semiconductor Corp.

High-Reliability and Defense Products

Americas

San Diego, CA, USA

Phone: 858-731-9475

Fax: 848-731-9499

Europe/Asia-Pacific

Aix-En-Provence Cedex 3, France

Phone: +33-4-4239-3361

Fax: +33-4-4239-7227

Peregrine Semiconductor, Asia Pacific (APAC)

Shanghai, 200040, P.R. China

Tel: +86-21-5836-8276

Fax: +86-21-5836-7652

Peregrine Semiconductor, Korea

#B-2607, Kolon Tripolis, 210

Geumgok-dong, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si

Gyeonggi-do, 463-943 South Korea

Tel: +82-31-728-3939

Fax: +82-31-728-3940

Peregrine Semiconductor K.K., Japan

Teikoku Hotel Tower 10B-6

1-1-1 Uchisaiwai-cho, Chiyoda-ku

Tokyo 100-0011 Japan

Tel: +81-3-3502-5211

Fax: +81-3-3502-5213

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