Voltage Variable Attenuator Module,
DC to 20 GHz
Data Sheet
HMC-C053
Rev. F Document Feedback
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FEATURES
Wide bandwidth: dc to 20 GHz
Low phase shift vs. attenuation
30 dB attenuation range up to 12 GHz
Hermetically sealed module
Field replaceable SMA connectors
Operating temperature: −55°C to +85°C
APPLICATIONS
Telecom infrastructure
Military radio, radar, and ECM
Space systems
Test instrumentation
FUNCTIONAL BLOCK DIAGRAM
RF1
1
VCTL
2
GND
3
+VDC
5
–VDC
6
RF2
4
HMC-C053
13482-002
Figure 1.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The HMC-C053 is an absorptive voltage variable attenuator
( V VA ) operating from dc to 20 GHz. The HMC-C053 features
a simple single voltage attenuation control, 0 V to −3 V. T h e
device is ideal in designs where an analog dc control signal
must control radio frequency (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 automatic gain control (AGC) or temperature
compensation of multiple gain stages, typically found in
microwave radio or test instrumentation architecture.
Removable SMA connectors can be detached to allow direct
connection of the module input/output pins to a microstrip
or coplanar circuit.
HMC-C053 Data Sheet
Rev. F | Page 2 of 9
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Features .............................................................................................. 1
Applications ....................................................................................... 1
Functional Block Diagram .............................................................. 1
General Description ......................................................................... 1
Revision History ............................................................................... 2
Specifications ..................................................................................... 3
Electrical Specifications ............................................................... 3
Absolute Maximum Ratings ............................................................ 4
ESD Caution...................................................................................4
Pin Configuration and Function Descriptions ..............................5
Interface Schematics .....................................................................5
Typical Performance Characteristics ..............................................6
Applications Information .................................................................8
Outline Dimensions ..........................................................................9
Ordering Guide .............................................................................9
REVISION HISTORY
This Hittite Microwave Products data sheet has been reformatted
to meet the styles and standards of Analog Devices, Inc.
9/2016—Rev. E to Rev. F
Changes to Supply Current Parameter, Table 1 ............................ 3
10/2015—Rev. D to Rev. E
Updated Layout ................................................................... Universal
Changes to Table 1 ............................................................................ 3
Added Figure 2 .................................................................................. 5
Changes to Table 3 ............................................................................ 5
Changes to Figure 7 .......................................................................... 6
Added Applications Information Section and Figure 14 ............ 8
Updated Outline Dimensions ......................................................... 9
Changes to Ordering Guide ............................................................ 9
Data Sheet HMC-C053
Rev. F | Page 3 of 9
SPECIFICATIONS
ELECTRICAL SPECIFICATIONS
TA = +25° C, +VDC = 5 V, −VDC = −5 V, and VCTL = 0 V to −3 V, unless otherwise noted.
Table 1.
Parameter Min Typ Max Unit Test Conditions/Comments
INSERTION LOSS (VCTL = 0 V)
DC to 5 GHz 1.5 dB
5 GHz to 10 GHz 1.9 dB
10 GHz to 14 GHz
2.4
dB
14 GHz to 20 GHz 4.0 dB
ATTENUATION RANGE (VCTL = −2.9 V)
DC to 5 GHz 25 32 dB
5 GHz to 10 GHz 27 33 dB
10 GHz to 14 GHz 25 30 dB
14 GHz to 20 GHz 21 26 dB
RETURN LOSS AT RF1
DC to 14 GHz 15 dB
DC to 20 GHz 8 dB
INPUT POWER FOR 0.25 dB COMPRESSION Frequency = 0.5 GHz to 8.0 GHz
Minimum Attenuation 7 dBm
Attenuation > 5 dB −4 dBm
INPUT THIRD-ORDER INTERCEPT POINT Two-tone input power = 10 dBm each tone,
frequency = 0.5 GHz to 16 GHz
Minimum Attenuation 22 dBm
Attenuation > 10 dB 25 dBm
SWITCHING CHARACTERISTICS
tRISE 111 ns 90% RF
tFALL 83 ns 10% RF
tON 125 ns 50% VCTL to 90% RF
tOFF 103 ns 50% VCTL to 10% RF
SUPPLY VOLTAGE AND CURRENT
±V
DC
range = ±10%
Supply Voltage
+VDC 5.0 V
−VDC −5.0 V
Supply Current
+5.0 V dc 4.0 7.0 mA
−5.0 V dc −10.5 −14.0 mA
CONTROL VOLTAGE
Minimum Attenuation 0 V
Maximum Attenuation −2.9 V
HMC-C053 Data Sheet
Rev. F | Page 4 of 9
ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM RATINGS
Table 2.
Parameter Rating
Control Voltage (VCTL) −5 V dc to +1 V dc
Supply Voltage
+VDC 16 V dc
−VDC −16 V dc
RF Input Power (0.5 GHz to 20 GHz) 18 dBm
Storage Temperature Range −65°C to +150°C
Operating Temperature Range −55°C to +85°C
Stresses at or above those listed under Absolute Maximum
Ratings may cause permanent damage to the product. This is a
stress rating only; functional operation of the product at these
or any other conditions above those indicated in the operational
section of this specification is not implied. Operation beyond
the maximum operating conditions for extended periods may
affect product reliability.
ESD CAUTION
Data Sheet HMC-C053
Rev. F | Page 5 of 9
PIN CONFIGURATION AND FUNCTION DESCRIPTIONS
TOP VIEW
(Not to Scale)
HMC-C053
1
65
4
32
RF1
V
CTL
GND
+V
DC
–V
DC
RF2
13482-003
Figure 2. Pin Configuration
Table 3. Pin Function Descriptions
Pin No. Mnemonic Description
1 RF1 RF Input 1. This pin is dc-coupled and matched to 50 Ω. Blocking capacitors are required if the RF line potential
is not equal to 0 V.
2 VCTL Control Input (Master).
3 GND Ground. Package bottom has an exposed metal paddle that must also be connected to the printed circuit
board (PCB) RF ground.
4 RF2 RF Input 2. This pin is dc-coupled and matched to 50 Ω. Blocking capacitors are required if the RF line potential
is not equal to 0 V.
5 +VDC Positive Supply Voltage.
6 −VDC Negative Supply Voltage.
INTERFACE SCHEMATICS
500Ω
13482-004
Figure 3. VCTL Interface Schematic
G
ND
13482-005
Figure 4. GND Interface Schematic
+V
DC
–V
DC
13482-006
Figure 5. +VDC and −VDC Interface Schematic
HMC-C053 Data Sheet
Rev. F | Page 6 of 9
TYPICAL PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS
0
–1
–2
–3
–4
–5 04610 14 16
12
2 8 18 20
INSERTION LOSS (dB)
FRE Q UE NCY ( GHz)
+85°C
+25°C
–55°C
13482-007
Figure 6. Insertion Loss vs. Frequency over Temperature
0
–40
–30
–15
–5
–20
–35
–25
–10
ATTENUAT IO N ( dB)
0 4 6 10 14 16122 8 18 20
FRE Q UE NCY ( GHz)
V
CTL
= –2.0V
V
CTL
= –2.1V
V
CTL
= –2.2V
V
CTL
= –2.3V
V
CTL
= –2.4V
V
CTL
= –2.5V
V
CTL
= –2.6V
V
CTL
= –2.7V
V
CTL
= –2.8V
V
CTL
= –2.9V
13482-008
Figure 7. Relative Attenuation vs. Frequency
180
0
40
100
140
160
80
20
60
120
RELATI V E P HAS E ( Degrees)
0 4 6 10 14 16122 8 18 20
FRE Q UE NCY ( GHz)
5dB
10dB
13dB
18dB
26dB
31dB
13482-009
Figure 8. Relative Phase vs. Frequency
0
–5
–10
–15
–20
–25
–30
–35
RET URN LOS S ( dB)
0 4 6 10 14 16122 8 18 20
FRE Q UE NCY ( GHz)
MAX
5dB
MIN
13482-010
Figure 9. Return Loss RF1 vs. Frequency over Attenuation
0
–0.5
–1.5
–1.0
–2.5
–2.0
–3.0 0 5 10 15 20 25 30
CONTROL VOLTAGE (V)
RELATIVE ATTENUATION (dB)
13482-011
Figure 10. Relative Attenuation vs. Control Voltage at 10 GHz
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
IP3 (dBm)
04 6 10 14 16122 8 18 20
FRE Q UE NCY ( GHz)
20dB
10dB
5dB
0dB
13482-012
Figure 11. Input IP3 vs. Frequency over Attenuation
Data Sheet HMC-C053
Rev. F | Page 7 of 9
15
10
5
0
–5
–10 0 4 610 14 1612
2 8 18 20
P0.25dB (dBm)
FRE Q UE NCY ( GHz)
0dB
5dB
13482-013
Figure 12. 0.25 dB Compression vs. Frequency over Attenuation
20
15
10
5
0
–5 04610 14 16
12
2 8 18 20
P1d B ( dBm)
FRE Q UE NCY ( GHz)
0dB
5dB
13482-014
Figure 13. 1 dB Compression vs. Frequency over Attenuation
HMC-C053 Data Sheet
Rev. F | Page 8 of 9
APPLICATIONS INFORMATION
In Figure 14, the HMC-C053 is used to make a variable gain
amplifier. In this application circuit, the HMC-C053 varies
the amplitude of the signal feeding the amplifier over a 30 dB
dynamic range. This type of circuit can be used to adjust the
overall gain for temperature or frequency. This is only one of
the many applications of the HMC-C053.
13482-015
RF1
1
VCTL
2
GND
3
+VDC
5
–VDC
6
RF2
4
HMC-C053
12V AT 195mA
RF OUTPUTRF INPUT
HMC-C004
AMPLIFIER
HMC-C053
VOLTAGE VARIABLE ATTENUATOR
VARIABLE GAIN AMPLIFIER
Figure 14. Variable Gain Amplifier
Data Sheet HMC-C053
Rev. F | Page 9 of 9
OUTLINE DIMENSIONS
09-25-2015-A
PKG-000000
CONTROLLING DIMENSIONS ARE IN INCHES; MILLIMETER DIMENSIONS
(I N P ARENTHES E S ) ARE ROUNDED- OFF I NCH E QUIV ALENTS FOR
REF ERE NCE ONL Y AND ARE NOT AP P ROPRI ATE FOR US E IN DES IGN.
0.416
(10.55)
TOP VIEW TOP VIEW
SIDE VIEW
(SHOW N W ITHOUT MO UNT ING SP ACER REMO V ED)
END VIEW END VIEW
0.056 ( 1.42)
Ø 0. 012 (0.305)
0.255 ( 6.48)
MOUNTING S PACER
CHAMF ER INDI CAT ES
ORIENTATION
SIDE VIEW
1.836
(46.63)
1.086
(27.58)
0.721
(18.31)
0.064
(1.63)
0.850
(21.59)
0.798
(20.27)
0.195
(4.95)
Ø 0. 030 (0.760)
Ø 0. 098 ( 2.49)
1
2 3
4
56
0.160 ( 4.06)
0.230 ( 5.84)
0.075
(1.91)
0.095
(2.41)
0.425 ( 10.80)
FI ELD RE PLACABL E
SMA CONNECTOR
0.350 ( 8. 89)
0.180
(4.57)
Figure 15. 6-Lead Module with Connector Interface [MODULE]
(HML-6-2)
Dimensions shown in inches (and millimeters)
ORDERING GUIDE
Model1 Temperature Range Package Description Package Option
HMC-C053 −55°C to +85°C 6-Lead Module with Connector Interface [MODULE] HML-6-2
1 The HMC-C053 is a RoHS compliant part.
©2015–2016 Analog Devices, Inc. All rights reserved. Trademarks and
registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
D13482-0-9/16(F)
