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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 - ANALOG - SMT
1
HMC812LC4
v03.0614
GaAs MMIC VOLTAGE-VARIABLE
ATTENUATOR, 5 - 30 GHz
General Description
Features
Functional Diagram
Wide Bandwidth: 5 - 30 GHz
Excellent Linearity: +28 dBm Input IP3
High Power Handling: +25 dBm Input P1dB
Wide Attenuation Range: 30 dB
24 Lead Ceramic 4x4 mm SMT Package: 16mm²
Electrical Specications, TA = +25° C, 50 Ohm system
Typical Applications
The HMC812LC4 is ideal for:
• Point-to-Point Radio
• VSAT Radio
• Test Instrumentation
• Microwave Sensors
• Military, ECM & Radar
The HMC812LC4 is an absorptive Voltage Variable
Attenuator (VVA) which operates from 5 - 30 GHz
and is ideal in designs where an analog DC control
signal must be used to control RF signal levels over a
30 dB amplitude range. It features two shunt-type
attenuators which are controlled by two analog vol-
tages, Vctrl1 and Vctrl2. Optimum linearity perfor-
mance of the attenuator is achieved by rst varying
Vctrl1 of the 1st attenuation stage from -3V to 0V
with Vctrl2 xed at -3V. The control voltage of the
2nd attenuation stage, Vctrl2, should then be varied
from -3V to 0V, with Vctrl1 xed at 0V. The HMC812LC4
is housed in a RoHS compliant 4x4 mm QFN lead-
less ceramic package
However, if the Vctrl1 and Vctrl2 pins are connected
together it is possible to achieve the full analog atten-
uation range with only a small degradation in input
IP3 performance. Applications include AGC circuits
and temperature compensation of multiple gain stages
in microwave point-to-point and VSAT radios.
Parameter Min. Typ. Max. Units
Insertion Loss
5 - 16 GHz
16 - 24 GHz
24 - 30 GHz
2
3
4
dB
dB
dB
Attenuation Range 30 dB
Input Return Loss 12 dB
Output Return Loss 8dB
Input Power for 1 dB Compression (any attenuation) 25 dBm
Input Third Order Intercept
(Two-tone Input Power = 10 dBm Each Tone) 28 dBm
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 - ANALOG - SMT
2
HMC812LC4
v03.0614
GaAs MMIC VOLTAGE-VARIABLE
ATTENUATOR, 5 - 30 GHz
Attenuation vs. Vctrl2
Over Temperature @ 10 GHz, Vctrl1 = 0V
Attenuation vs. Frequency over Vctrl
Vctrl1 = Variable, Vctrl2 = -3V
Attenuation vs. Vctrl1
Over Temperature @ 10 GHz, Vctrl2 = -3V
Attenuation vs. Pin @ 10 GHz
Vctrl1 = Variable, Vctrl2 = -3V
Input Return Loss
Vctrl1 = Variable, Vctrl2 = -3V
Attenuation vs. Frequency over Vctrl
Vctrl1 = 0V, Vctrl2 = Variable
-25
-20
-15
-10
-5
0
2 6 10 14 18 22 26 30
-3.0 V
-1.8 V
-1.4 V
-0.8 V
0.0 V
ATTENUATION (dB)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
-15
-12
-9
-6
-3
0
-3 -2.5 -2 -1.5 -1 -0.5 0
+25 C
+85 C
-40 C
ATTENUATION (dB)
Vctrl1 (V)
-40
-30
-20
-10
0
2 6 10 14 18 22 26 30
-3.0 V
-1.6 V
0.0 V
RETURN LOSS (dB)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
-18
-15
-12
-9
-6
-3
0
0 3 6 9 12 15 18
-3.0 V
-1.8 V
-1.4 V
-0.8 V
0.0 V
ATTENUATION (dB)
INPUT POWER (dBm)
-35
-30
-25
-20
-15
-10
-5
0
-3 -2.5 -2 -1.5 -1 -0.5 0
+25 C
+85 C
-40 C
ATTENUATION (dB)
Vctrl2 (V)
-50
-40
-30
-20
-10
0
2 6 10 14 18 22 26 30
-3.0 V
-2.0 V
-1.6 V
-1.0 V
0.0 V
ATTENUATION (dB)
FREQUENCY (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 - ANALOG - SMT
3
HMC812LC4
v03.0614
GaAs MMIC VOLTAGE-VARIABLE
ATTENUATOR, 5 - 30 GHz
Output Return Loss
Vctrl1 = 0V, Vctrl2 = Variable
Input IP3 vs Input Power @ 10 GHz
Vctrl1 = Variable, Vctrl2 = -3V
Input IP3 vs. Input Power Over Frequency
Vctrl1 = -2.2V, Vctrl2 = -3V (Worst Case IP3)
Output Return Loss
Vctrl1 = Variable, Vctrl2 = -3V
Input Return Loss
Vctrl1 = 0V, Vctrl2 = Variable
Input IP3 vs. Input Power Over Temperature
@ 10 GHz, Vctrl1 = -2.2V, Vctrl2 = -3V
-30
-20
-10
0
2 6 10 14 18 22 26 30
-3.0 V
-1.6 V
0.0 V
RETURN LOSS (dB)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
-30
-20
-10
0
2 6 10 14 18 22 26 30
-3.0 V
-1.4 V
0.0 V
RETURN LOSS (dB)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
20
25
30
35
0 3 6 9 12 15 18
+25 C
+85 C
-40 C
IP3 (dBm)
SINGLE TONE INPUT POWER (dBm)
20
25
30
35
0 3 6 9 12 15 18
5 GHz
10 GHz
20 GHz
30 GHz
IP3 (dBm)
SINGLE TONE INPUT POWER (dBm)
10
20
30
40
50
60
0 3 6 9 12 15 18
-3.0 V
-2.6 V
-2.2 V
-1.8 V
0.0 V
IP3 (dBm)
SINGLE TONE INPUT POWER (dBm)
-40
-30
-20
-10
0
2 6 10 14 18 22 26 30
-3.0 V
-1.6 V
0.0 V
RETURN LOSS (dB)
FREQUENCY (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 - ANALOG - SMT
4
HMC812LC4
v03.0614
GaAs MMIC VOLTAGE-VARIABLE
ATTENUATOR, 5 - 30 GHz
Attenuation vs. Input Power over Vctrl
Vctrl1 = Vctrl2 Input Return Loss, Vctrl1 = Vctrl2
Output Return Loss, Vctrl1 = Vctrl2
Attenuation vs. Vctrl over Temperature
@ 10 GHz, Vctrl1 = Vctrl2
Attenuation vs. Frequency over Vctrl
Vctrl1 = Vctrl2
Input IP3 vs. Input Power Over
Vctrl @ 10 GHz, Vctrl1 = Vctrl2
-50
-40
-30
-20
-10
0
2 6 10 14 18 22 26 30
-3.0 V
-1.8 V
-1.4 V
-0.8 V
0.0 V
ATTENUATION (dB)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
-50
-40
-30
-20
-10
0
0 3 6 9 12 15 18
-3.0 V
-1.8 V
-1.4 V
-0.8 V
0.0 V
ATTENUATION (dB)
INPUT POWER (dBm)
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
0 3 6 9 12 15 18
-3.0 V
-2.6 V
-2.2 V
-1.8 V
0.0 V
IP3 (dBm)
SINGLE TONE INPUT POWER (dBm)
-30
-20
-10
0
2 6 10 14 18 22 26 30
-3.0 V
-1.6 V
0.0 V
RETURN LOSS (dB)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
-40
-30
-20
-10
0
2 6 10 14 18 22 26 30
-3.0 V
-1.6 V
0.0 V
RETURN LOSS (dB)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
-40
-30
-20
-10
0
-3 -2.5 -2 -1.5 -1 -0.5 0
+25 C
+85 C
-40 C
ATTENUATION (dB)
CONTROL VOLTAGE (V)
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 - ANALOG - SMT
5
HMC812LC4
v03.0614
GaAs MMIC VOLTAGE-VARIABLE
ATTENUATOR, 5 - 30 GHz
Outline Drawing
Absolute Maximum Ratings
ELECTROSTATIC SENSITIVE DEVICE
OBSERVE HANDLING PRECAUTIONS
Control Voltages
Vctrl1 -3 to 0V @ 10 µA
Vctrl2 -3 to 0V @ 10 µA
RF Input Power +30 dBm
Control Voltage Range +1 to -5V
Channel Temperature 150 °C
Continuous Pdiss (T = 85 °C)
(derate 16.4 mW/ °C above 85 °C) 1.07 W
Thermal Resistance
(Channel to ground paddle) 61 °C/W
Storage Temperature -65 to +150 °C
Operating Temperature -40 to +85 °C
NOTES:
1. PACKAGE BODY MATERIAL: ALUMINA.
2. LEAD AND GROUND PADDLE PLATING: GOLD FLASH OVER NICKEL.
3. DIMENSIONS ARE IN INCHES (MILLIMETERS).
4. LEAD SPACING TOLERANCE IS NON-CUMULATIVE.
5. PACKAGE WARP SHALL NOT EXCEED 0.05MM DATUM – C –
6. ALL GROUND LEADS AND GROUND PADDLE MUST BE SOLDERED TO
PCB RF GROUND.
Package Information
Part Number Package Body Material Lead Finish MSL Rating Package Marking [2]
HMC812LC4 Alumina, White Gold over Nickel MSL3 [1] H812
XXXX
[1] Max peak reow temperature of 260 °C
[2] 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 - ANALOG - SMT
6
HMC812LC4
v03.0614
GaAs MMIC VOLTAGE-VARIABLE
ATTENUATOR, 5 - 30 GHz
Pin Number Function Description Interface Schematic
1, 2, 6 - 8,
11 - 13, 17 - 24 N/C These pins are not connected internally, however these
pins must be connected to RF/DC ground externally.
3, 5, 14, 16 GND These pins and the exposed ground paddle must be con-
nected to RF/DC ground.
4RFIN
This pad is DC coupled and matched to 50 Ohms.
A blocking capacitor is required if RF line potential
is not equal to 0V.
15 RFOUT
9Vctrl1 Control Voltage 1
10 Vctrl2 Control Voltage 2
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 - ANALOG - SMT
7
HMC812LC4
v03.0614
GaAs MMIC VOLTAGE-VARIABLE
ATTENUATOR, 5 - 30 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 - ANALOG - SMT
8
HMC812LC4
v03.0614
GaAs MMIC VOLTAGE-VARIABLE
ATTENUATOR, 5 - 30 GHz
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 123768 [1]
Item Description
J1, J2 2.9 mm PC Mount RF Connector
J3, J4 DC Pin
C1, C2 100 pF Capacitor, 0402 Pkg.
C3, C4 1000 pF Capacitor, 0402 Pkg.
C5, C6 4.7 µF Capacitor, CASE A
U1 HMC812LC4 Analog VVA
PCB [2] 123766 Evaluation PCB
[1] Reference this number when ordering complete evaluation PCB
[2] Circuit Board Material: Arlon 25FR or Rogers 4350
