THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK
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
ATTENUATORS - DIGITAL - SMT
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HMC472LP4 / 472LP4E
0.5 dB LSB GaAs MMIC 6-BIT DIGITAL
POSITIVE CONTROL ATTENUATOR, DC - 3.8 GHz
v06.1108
Functional Diagram
Electrical Speci cations,
TA = +25° C, With Vdd = +5V & Vctl = 0/+5V (Unless Otherwise Noted)
The HMC472LP4(E) is ideal for:
• 3G Infrastructure & access points
• Cellular/3G, LTE & UMB
• WiMAX, WiBN & Fixed Wireless
• Test Equipment and Sensors
• GSM, WCDMA & TD-SCDMA
0.5 dB LSB Steps to 31.5 dB
Single Control Line Per Bit
TTL/CMOS Compatible Control
± 0.25 dB Typical Step Error
Single +5V Supply
24 Lead Ceramic 4x4mm SMT Package: 16mm
Included in the HMC-DK004 Designer’s Kit
The HMC472LP4 & HMC472LP4E are broadband
6-bit GaAs IC digital attenuators in low cost leadless
surface mount packages. This single positive control
line per bit digital attenuator incorporates off chip AC
ground capacitors for near DC operation, making it
suitable for a wide variety of RF and IF applications.
Covering DC to 3.8 GHz, the insertion loss is less
than 2.0 dB typical. The attenuator bit values are 0.5
(LSB), 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16 dB for a total attenuation of
31.5 dB. Attenuation accuracy is excellent at ± 0.25 dB
typical step error with an IIP3 of +45 dBm. Six TTL/
CMOS control inputs are used to select each attenua-
tion 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 - 3.8 GHz
1.5
2.0
2.3
1.8
2.3
3
dB
dB
dB
Attenuation Range DC - 3.8 GHz 31.5 dB
Return Loss (RF1 & RF2, All Atten. States) DC - 3.8 GHz 15 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
All Attenuation States
DC - 1.0 GHz
1.0 - 2.2 GHz
1.0 - 2.2 GHz
2.2 - 3.0 GHz
3.0 - 3.8 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
± (0.35 + 5% of Atten. Setting) Max.
dB
dB
dB
dB
dB
Input Power for 0.1 dB Compression 0.1 - 3.8 GHz 20 dBm
Input Third Order Intercept Point
(Two-Tone Input Power= 0 dBm Each Tone)
REF - 15.5 dB States
16.0 - 31.5 dB States 0.1 - 3.8 GHz 45
35
dBm
dBm
Switching Characteristics
tRISE, tFALL (10/90% RF)
tON, tOFF (50% CTL to 10/90% RF)
DC - 3.8 GHz
130
140
ns
ns
Typical Applications Features
General Description
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
ATTENUATORS - DIGITAL - SMT
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Return Loss RF1, RF2
(Only Major States are Shown)
Insertion Loss
Normalized Attenuation
(Only Major States are Shown)
-3
-2.5
-2
-1.5
-1
-0.5
0
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3 0.35
+25C
+85C
-40C
INSERTION LOSS (dB)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
-35
-30
-25
-20
-15
-10
-5
0
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3 0.35
RETURN LOSS (dB)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
-35
-30
-25
-20
-15
-10
-5
0
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3 0.35
NORMALIZED ATTENUATION (dB)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
HMC472LP4 / 472LP4E
v06.1108
0.5 dB LSB GaAs MMIC 6-BIT DIGITAL
POSITIVE CONTROL ATTENUATOR, DC - 3.8 GHz
Insertion Loss
-3
-2.5
-2
-1.5
-1
-0.5
0
0.05 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4
+25 C
+85 C
-40 C
INSERTION LOSS (dB)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
Return Loss RF1, RF2
(Only Major States are Shown)
-35
-30
-25
-20
-15
-10
-5
0
0.05 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4
RETURN LOSS (dB)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
0.5-16 dB
31.5 dB
Normalized Attenuation
(Only Major States are Shown)
-35
-30
-25
-20
-15
-10
-5
0
0.05 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4
NORMALIZED ATTENUATION (dB)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
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
ATTENUATORS - DIGITAL - SMT
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HMC472LP4 / 472LP4E
v06.1108
0.5 dB LSB GaAs MMIC 6-BIT DIGITAL
POSITIVE CONTROL ATTENUATOR, DC - 3.8 GHz
Bit Error vs. Frequency
(Only Major States are Shown)
Bit Error vs. Attenuation State
-2
-1.5
-1
-0.5
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3 0.35
BIT ERROR (dB)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
16 dB
31.5 dB
8 dB
0.5-4 dB
Bit Error vs. Frequency without
AC Ground Caps
(Only Major States are Shown)
-2
-1.5
-1
-0.5
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
0 4 8 12 16 20 24 28 32
BIT ERROR (dB)
ATTENUATION STATE (dB)
3.8 GHz
100MHz, 2GHz
1 GHz
40MHz, 500 MHz
3 GHz
-3
-2.5
-2
-1.5
-1
-0.5
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4
BIT ERROR (dB)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
16 dB
31.5 dB
0.5 - 8 dB
Bit Error vs. Attenuation State
-1
-0.9
-0.8
-0.7
-0.6
-0.5
-0.4
-0.3
-0.2
-0.1
0
0 4 8 12 16 20 24 28 32
BIT ERROR (dB)
ATTENUATION STATE (dB)
50 MHz
200MHz, 300MHz, 350MHz
100 MHz
Bit Error vs. Frequency
(Only Major States are Shown)
-2
-1
0
1
2
0.05 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4
BIT ERROR (dB)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
16 dB8 dB
0.5-4 dB
31.5 dB
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
ATTENUATORS - DIGITAL - SMT
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Truth Table
Control Voltage
Bias Voltage & Current
Worst Case Step Error
Between Successive Attenuation States
Vdd = +5V ± 10%
Vdd
(V)
Idd (Typ.)
(mA)
+4.5 4.7
+5.0 5.0
+5.5 5.3
State Bias Condition
Low 0 to +0.8 Vdc @ -5 uA Typ.
High + 2.0 to + 5.0 Vdc @ 40 uA Typ.
Note: Vdd = +5V
Control Voltage Input Attenua-
tion State
RF1 - RF2
V1
16 dB
V2
8 dB
V3
4 dB
V4
2 dB
V5
1 dB
V6
0.5 dB
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.
-1
-0.6
-0.2
0.2
0.6
1
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4
STEP ERROR (dB)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
-40
-20
0
20
40
60
80
100
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
Relative Phase vs. Frequency
(Only Major States are Shown)
HMC472LP4 / 472LP4E
v06.1108
0.5 dB LSB GaAs MMIC 6-BIT DIGITAL
POSITIVE CONTROL ATTENUATOR, DC - 3.8 GHz
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
ATTENUATORS - DIGITAL - SMT
5
5 - 144
HMC472LP4 / 472LP4E
v06.1108
0.5 dB LSB GaAs MMIC 6-BIT DIGITAL
POSITIVE CONTROL ATTENUATOR, DC - 3.8 GHz
Absolute Maximum Ratings
Outline Drawing
RF Input Power (DC - 3 GHz) +27 dBm (T = +85 °C)
Control Voltage Range (V1 to V6) -1V to Vdd +1V
Bias Voltage (Vdd) +7V
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
Part Number Package Body Material Lead Finish MSL Rating Package Marking [3]
HMC472LP4 Low Stress Injection Molded Plastic Sn/Pb Solder MSL1 [1] H472
XXXX
HMC472LP4E RoHS-compliant Low Stress Injection Molded Plastic 100% matte Sn MSL1 [2] H472
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, 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
ATTENUATORS - DIGITAL - SMT
5
5 - 145
Pin Descriptions
Pin Number Function Description Interface Schematic
1, 3, 5, 12,
14, 16, 17, 18 N/C These pins should be connected to PCB RF ground to
maximize performance.
2Vdd Supply Voltage.
4, 15 RF1, RF2
This pin is DC coupled and matched to 50 Ohm.
Blocking capacitors are required. Select value based on
lowest frequency of operation.
6 - 11, 13 ACG1 - ACG7
External capacitors to ground are recommended for low and
high frequency operation. Select value for
lowest frequency of operation. Place capacitor as close
to pins as possible. For operation from 700 to 2700 MHz,
these pins may be left unconnected.
19 - 24 V1 - V6 See truth table and control voltage table.
GND Package bottom has an exposed metal paddle that must also
be connected to RF/DC Ground.
HMC472LP4 / 472LP4E
v06.1108
0.5 dB LSB GaAs MMIC 6-BIT DIGITAL
POSITIVE CONTROL ATTENUATOR, DC - 3.8 GHz
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
ATTENUATORS - DIGITAL - SMT
5
5 - 146
HMC472LP4 / 472LP4E
v06.1108
0.5 dB LSB GaAs MMIC 6-BIT DIGITAL
POSITIVE CONTROL ATTENUATOR, DC - 3.8 GHz
Application Circuit
Note: For operations from 700 to 2700 MHz, pins 6 through 13 may be left unconnected.
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
ATTENUATORS - DIGITAL - SMT
5
5 - 147
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 107010 [1]
Item Description
J1 - J2 PCB Mount SMA Connector
J3 14 Pin DC Connector
C1 1000 pF Capacitor, 0603 Pkg.
C2, C3 1000 pF Capacitor, 0402 Pkg.
C4 - C7 330 pF Capacitor, 0402 Pkg.
U1 HMC472LP4 / HMC472LP4E
Digital Attenuator
PCB [2] 106977 Evaluation PCB
[1] Reference this number when ordering complete evaluation PCB
[2] Circuit Board Material: Rogers 4350
HMC472LP4 / 472LP4E
v06.1108
0.5 dB LSB GaAs MMIC 6-BIT DIGITAL
POSITIVE CONTROL ATTENUATOR, DC - 3.8 GHz
