2 - 1
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 Online at www.hittite.com
ATTENUATORS
2
HMC-C018
0.5dB LSB GaAs MMIC 6-BIT DIGITAL
SERIAL CONTROL ATTENUATOR MODULE, DC - 13 GHz
v03.0310
Functional Diagram
Electrical Specications, TA = +25 °C, with Vdc = -5V and 0/+5V CMOS Control
The HMC-C018 is ideal for:
• Telecom Infrastructure
• Military Radio, Radar & ECM
• Space Systems
• Test Instrumentation
0.5 dB LSB Steps to 31.5 dB
CMOS Compatible Serial Data Interface
Typical Bit Error: ±0.3 dB
Hermetically Sealed Module
Field Replaceable SMA Connectors
-55 °C to +85 °C Operating Temperature
The HMC-C018 is a DC to 13 GHz 6-bit GaAs IC
Digital Serial Control Attenuator housed in a miniature
hermetic module. This wideband attenuator features
3.6 dB typical insertion loss, +38 dBm input IP3,
and bit values of 0.5 (LSB), 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16 dB for
a total attenuation of 31.5 dB. Attenuation accuracy
is excellent with ±0.3 dB typical step error. A six
bit CMOS compatible serial control word is used to
select each attenuation state and a single Vdc bias
of -5V allows operation at frequencies down to DC.
Removable SMA connectors can be detached to
allow direct connection of the module’s I/O pins to a
microstrip or coplanar circuit.
Parameter Frequency (GHz) Min. Typ. Max. Units
Insertion Loss
DC - 4.0 GHz
4.0 - 8.0 GHz
8.0 - 13 .0 GHz
3.2
3.6
5.0
3.7
4.1
6.0
dB
dB
dB
Attenuation Range DC - 13.0 GHz 31.5 dB
Return Loss (RF1 & RF2, All Atten. States) DC - 8.0 GHz
8.0 - 13.0 GHz
15
10
dB
dB
Attenuation Accuracy: (Referenced to Insertion Loss)
All States
0.5 - 27.5 dB
28.0 - 31.5 dB
All States
DC - 3.0 GHz
3.0 - 10.0 GHz
3.0 - 10.0 GHz
10.0 - 13.0 GHz
± (0.2 + 3% of Atten. Setting) Max
± (0.4 + 3% of Atten. Setting) Max
± (0.5 + 6% of Atten. Setting) Max
± (0.6 + 6% of Atten. Setting) Max
dB
dB
dB
dB
Input Power for 0.1 dB Compression 1.0 - 13.0 GHz 22 dBm
Input Third Order Intercept Point
(Two-Tone Input Power= 0 dBm Each Tone)
REF State
All Other States
1.0 - 13.0 GHz 46
32
dBm
dBm
Switching Characteristics
tRISE, tFALL (10/90% RF)
tON/tOFF (50% CTL to 10/90% RF)
DC - 13.0 GHz
600
700
ns
ns
Typical Applications
Features
General Description
2 - 2
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 Online at www.hittite.com
ATTENUATORS
2
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
-12
-10
-8
-6
-4
-2
0 3 6 9 12 15 18 21
+25 C
+85 C
-55 C
INSERTION LOSS (dB)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
-30
-25
-20
-15
-10
-5
0
0 3 6 9 12 15
RETURN LOSS (dB)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
0.5 dB
I.L
1 dB
2 dB
4 dB
8 dB 16 dB
31.5 dB
-35
-30
-25
-20
-15
-10
-5
0
0 3 6 9 12 15
NORMALIZED ATTENUATION (dB)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
-2
-1.5
-1
-0.5
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
0 4 8 12 16 20 24 28 32
0.1 GHz
4 GHz
8 GHz
13 GHz
BIT ERROR (dB)
ATTENUATION STATE (dB)
-3
-2
-1
0
1
2
3
0 3 6 9 12 15
BIT ERROR (dB)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
0.5-16 dB
31.5 dB
-20
0
20
40
60
80
0 3 6 9 12 15
RELATIVE PHASE (deg)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
31.5 dB 16 dB
8 dB
0.5 - 4 dB
HMC-C018
v03.0310
0.5dB LSB GaAs MMIC 6-BIT DIGITAL
SERIAL CONTROL ATTENUATOR MODULE, DC - 13 GHz
2 - 3
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 Online at www.hittite.com
ATTENUATORS
2
Truth Table
Bias Voltage & Current
Worst Case Step Error
Between Successive Attenuation States
Serial Control Input Attenuation
Settings
RF1 - RF2
C0.5 C1 C2 C4 C8 C16
H H H H H H Reference I.L.
L H H H H H 0.5 dB
H L H H H H 1 dB
H H L H H H 2 dB
H H H L H H 4 dB
H H H H L H 8 dB
H H H H H L 16 dB
L L L L L L 31.5 dB
Any combination of the above states will provide an attenuation
approximately equal to the sum of the bits selected.
VDC Range= -5.0 Vdc ± 10%
VDC Idc (Typ.)
(mA)
Idc (Max.)
(mA)
-5.0 5 9
Absolute Maximum Ratings
ELECTROSTATIC SENSITIVE DEVICE
OBSERVE HANDLING PRECAUTIONS
-1
-0.5
0
0.5
1
0 3 6 9 12 15
STEP ERROR (dB)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
Digital Inputs (Reset, Shift Clock,
Latch Enable & Serial Input) -0.5V to +5.5V
Bias Voltage (VDC) -7.0 Vdc
Storage Temperature -65 to + 150 °C
Operating Temperature -55 to +85 °C
RF Input Power (0.5 - 13.0 GHz) +25 dBm
CMOS Control Voltages
State Bias Condition
Low 0 to +1.3V
High +3.5 to +5.0V
Serial Input Truth Table
Latch
Enable
Shift
Clock Reset Function
X X L Shift register cleared
XáH Shift register clocked
áX H
Contents of shift register
transferred to Digital
Attenuator
HMC-C018
v03.0310
0.5dB LSB GaAs MMIC 6-BIT DIGITAL
SERIAL CONTROL ATTENUATOR MODULE, DC - 13 GHz
2 - 4
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 Online at www.hittite.com
ATTENUATORS
2
Parameter Symbol Min. Max. Units
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
Propagation delay,
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
Timing Diagram
HMC-C018
v03.0310
0.5dB LSB GaAs MMIC 6-BIT DIGITAL
SERIAL CONTROL ATTENUATOR MODULE, DC - 13 GHz
2 - 5
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 Online at www.hittite.com
ATTENUATORS
2
Logic / Functional Diagram
HMC-C018
v03.0310
0.5dB LSB GaAs MMIC 6-BIT DIGITAL
SERIAL CONTROL ATTENUATOR MODULE, DC - 13 GHz
2 - 6
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 Online at www.hittite.com
ATTENUATORS
2
Programming Example to Select 0.5 dB Attenuation State
HMC-C018
v03.0310
0.5dB LSB GaAs MMIC 6-BIT DIGITAL
SERIAL CONTROL ATTENUATOR MODULE, DC - 13 GHz
2 - 7
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 Online at www.hittite.com
ATTENUATORS
2
Pin Description
Pin Number Function Description Interface Schematic
1 RF1
This pin is DC coupled and matched to 50 Ohms.
Blocking capacitors are required if RF line potential
is not equal to 0 Vdc.
2 C Shift Clock
3 R Reset
4 S Serial Input
5 L Latch Enable
6 RF2
This pin is DC coupled and matched to 50 Ohms.
Blocking capacitors are required if RF line potential
is not equal to 0 Vdc.
7 Vdc Supply voltage: -5 Vdc ±10%.
(Internal diode for reverse bias protection)
8 GND Power Supply Ground
HMC-C018
v03.0310
0.5dB LSB GaAs MMIC 6-BIT DIGITAL
SERIAL CONTROL ATTENUATOR MODULE, DC - 13 GHz
2 - 8
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 Online at www.hittite.com
ATTENUATORS
2
Outline Drawing
NOTES:
1. PACKAGE, LEADS, COVER MATERIAL: KOVAR™
2. PLATING: ELECTROLYTIC GOLD 50 MICROINCHES MIN., OVER
ELECTROLYTIC NICKEL 75 MICROINCHES MIN
3. MOUNTING SPACER: NICKEL PLATED ALUMINUM
4. ALL DIMENSIONS ARE IN INCHES [MILLIMETERS]
5. TOLERANCES ±0.010 [0.25] UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED
6. FIELD REPLACEABLE SMA CONNECTORS
TENSOLITE 5602 - 5CCSF OR EQUIVALENT
7. TO MOUNT MODULE TO SYSTEM PLATFORM REPLACE 0 -80
HARDWARE WITH DESIRED MOUNTING SCREWS
Package Information
Package Type C-6
Package Weight [1] 17.4 gms [2]
Spacer Weight 3 gms [2]
[1] Includes the connectors
[2] ±1 gms Tolerance
HMC-C018
v03.0310
0.5dB LSB GaAs MMIC 6-BIT DIGITAL
SERIAL CONTROL ATTENUATOR MODULE, DC - 13 GHz
