THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK
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
HMC985LP4KE
v01.0813
GaAs MMIC VOLTAGE - VARIABLE
ATTENUATOR, 10 - 40 GHz
Electrical Specications, TA = +25 °C, Test Condition Vctl1 = Vctl2
Parameter Frequency Min. Typ. Max. Units
Insertion Loss [1]
10 - 20 GHz 3 3.5 dB
20 - 30 GHz 3 4 dB
30 -40 GHz 3.5 4.5 dB
Attenuation Range
10 - 20 GHz 25 30 dB
20 - 30 GHz 30 35 dB
30 - 40 GHz 35 40 dB
Input Return Loss 10 - 40 GHz 13 dB
Output Return Loss 10 - 40 GHz 13 dB
Input Third Order Intercept
(two-tone input Power = 10 dBm Each Tone) [2] 33 dBm
[1] Vcntl1 = Vcntl2 =-2.4V
[2] Vcntl1 = Vcntl2 =-2.0V worst case
Functional Diagram
Features
Wide Bandwidth: 10 - 40 GHz
Excellent Linearity: +32 dB Input IP3
Wide Attenuation Range: 35 dB
No External Matching
24 Lead 4x4 mm SMT Package: 16 mm
Typical Applications
The HMC985LP4KE is ideal for:
• Point-to-Point Radio
• VSAT Radio
• Test Instrumentation
• Microwave Sensors
• Military, ECM & Radar General Description
The HMC985LP4KE is an absorptive Voltage Variable
Attenuator (VVA) which operates from 10 - 40 GHz and
is ideal in designs where an analog DC control signal
must be used to control RF signal levels over a 35 dB
dynamic range. It features two shunt-type attenuators
which are controlled by two analog voltages, Vctl1 and
Vctl2. Optimum linearity performance of the attenuator
is achieved by rst varying Vctl1 of the rst attenuation
stage from -3V to 0V with Vctl2 xed at -3V. The control
voltage of the second attenuation stage, Vctl2, should
then be varied from -3V to 0V with Vctl1 xed at 0V.
if the Vctl1 and Vctl2 pins are connected together it is
possible to achieve the full analog attenuation 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.
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
HMC985LP4KE
v01.0813
GaAs MMIC VOLTAGE - VARIABLE
ATTENUATOR, 10 - 40 GHz
Attenuation vs. Frequency over Vctl1 =
Variable, Vctl2 = -3V
Attenuation vs. Frequency over Vctl1 =
0V, Vctl2 = Variable
Attenuation vs. Vctl1
Over Temperature @ 25 GHz, Vctl2 = -3V
Attenuation vs. Vctl2
Over Temperature @ 30 GHz, Vctl1 = 0V
Attenuation vs. Pin @ 20 GHz over Vctl1
Vctl1 = Variable, Vctl2 = -3V
Attenuation vs. Pin @ 20 GHz over Vctl2
Vctl2 = Variable, Vctl1 = 0V
-25
-20
-15
-10
-5
0
10 15 20 25 30 35 40
-2.4V
-2.0V
-1.6V
-1.2V
-0.8V
-0.4V
0.0V
ATTENUATION (dB)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
-70
-60
-50
-40
-30
-20
-10
0
10 15 20 25 30 35 40
-2.4V
-2.0V
-1.6V
-1.2V
-0.8V
-0.4V
0.0V
ATTENUATION (dB)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
-15
-12
-9
-6
-3
0
-2.4 -2 -1.6 -1.2 -0.8 -0.4 0
+25 C +85 C -40 C
ATTENUATION (dB)
Vctrl1 (V)
-45
-40
-35
-30
-25
-20
-15
-10
-5
0
-2.4 -2 -1.6 -1.2 -0.8 -0.4 0
+25 C +85 C -40 C
ATTENUATION (dB)
Vctrl1 (V)
-24
-20
-16
-12
-8
-4
0
-5 -1 3 7 11 15
-2.4V
-2.0V
-1.6V
-1.2V
-0.8V
-0.4V
0.0V
ATTENUATION (dB)
INPUT POWER (dBm)
-50
-40
-30
-20
-10
0
-5 -1 3 7 11 15
-2.4V
-2.0V
-1.6V
-1.2V
-0.8V
-0.4V
0.0V
ATTENUATION (dB)
INPUT POWER (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
3
HMC985LP4KE
v01.0813
GaAs MMIC VOLTAGE - VARIABLE
ATTENUATOR, 10 - 40 GHz
[1] Worst Case IP3
Input Return Loss
Vctl1 = Variable, Vctl2 = -3V
Input Return Loss
Vctl1 = 0V, Vctl2 = Variable
Output Return Loss
Vctl1 = Variable, Vctl2 = -3V
Output Return Loss
Vctl1 = 0V, Vctl2 = Variable
Input IP3 vs. Input Power @ 20 GHz
Vctl1 = Variable, Vctl2 = -3V
Input IP3 vs. Input Power Over Frequency
Vctl1 = -2V, Vctl2 = -3V [1]
-40
-30
-20
-10
0
10 15 20 25 30 35 40
-2.4 V -1.2V 0.0 V
RETURN LOSS (dB)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
-40
-30
-20
-10
0
10 15 20 25 30 35 40
-2.4 V -1.2V 0.0 V
RETURN LOSS (dB)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
-40
-30
-20
-10
0
10 15 20 25 30 35 40
-2.4 V -1.2V 0.0 V
RETURN LOSS (dB)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
-40
-30
-20
-10
0
10 15 20 25 30 35 40
-2.4 V -1.2V 0.0 V
RETURN LOSS (dB)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
10
20
30
40
50
60
-5 -1 3 7 11 15
-2.4V
-2.0V
-1.6V
-1.2V
-0.8V
-0.4V
0.0V
IP3 (dBm)
SINGLE TONE INPUT POWER (dBm)
25
29
33
37
41
45
-5 -3 -1 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15
10 GHz 20 GHz 30 GHz
IP3 (dBm)
SINGLE TONE INPUT POWER (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
4
HMC985LP4KE
v01.0813
GaAs MMIC VOLTAGE - VARIABLE
ATTENUATOR, 10 - 40 GHz
Input IP3 vs. Input Power Over Temperature
@ 20 GHz, Vctl1 = -2V, Vctl2 = -3V [1]
Input IP3 vs. Input Power @ 20 GHz
Vctl2 = Variable, Vctl1 = 0V
Input IP3 vs. Input Power Over Frequency
Vctl2 = -2V, Vctl1 = 0V [1]
Input IP3 vs Input Power over Tempera-
ture @ 20 GHz, Vctl2 = -2V, Vctl1 = 0V [1]
[1] Worst Case IP3
25
29
33
37
41
45
-5 -3 -1 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15
+25 C +85 C -40 C
IP3 (dBm)
SINGLE TONE INPUT POWER (dBm)
10
20
30
40
50
60
0 3 6 9 12 15
-2.4V
-2.0V
-1.6V
-1.2V
-0.8V
-0.4V
0.0 V
IP3 (dBm)
SINGLE TONE INPUT POWER (dBm)
25
29
33
37
41
45
0 3 6 9 12 15
10 GHz 20 GHz 30 GHz
IP3 (dBm)
SINGLE TONE INPUT POWER (dBm)
25
29
33
37
41
45
0 3 6 9 12 15
+25 C +85 C -40 C
IP3 (dBm)
SINGLE TONE INPUT POWER (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
5
HMC985LP4KE
v01.0813
GaAs MMIC VOLTAGE - VARIABLE
ATTENUATOR, 10 - 40 GHz
Attenuation vs Frequency Over Vctrl
Vctl1 = Vctl2
Attenuation vs. Vctrl Over Temperature
@ 20 GHz, Vctl1 = Vctl2
Attenuation vs. Pin @ 20 GHz Over Vctl
Vctl1 = Vctl2 Input Return Loss, Vctl1 = Vctl2
Output Return Loss, Vctl1 = Vctl2
Input IP3 vs. Input Power Over
Vctrl @ 20 GHz, Vctl1 = Vctl2
-60
-50
-40
-30
-20
-10
0
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
-2.4 V
-2.0 V
-1.6 V
-1.2 V
-0.8 V
-0.4 V
0.0 V
ATTENUATION (dB)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
-45
-40
-35
-30
-25
-20
-15
-10
-5
0
-2.4 -2 -1.6 -1.2 -0.8 -0.4 0
+25 C +85 C -40 C
ATTENUATION (dB)
Vctrl1 (V)
-40
-30
-20
-10
0
10 15 20 25 30 35 40
-2.4 V -1.2V 0.0 V
RETURN LOSS (dB)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
-50
-40
-30
-20
-10
0
-5 -1 3 7 11 15
-2.4V
-2.0V
-1.6V
-1.2V
-0.8V
-0.4V
0.0V
ATTENUATION (dB)
INPUT POWER (dBm)
-40
-30
-20
-10
0
10 15 20 25 30 35 40
-2.4 V -1.2V 0.0 V
RETURN LOSS (dB)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
10
20
30
40
50
60
0 3 6 9 12 15
-2.4V
-2.0V
-1.6V
-1.2V
-0.8V
-0.4V
0.0V
IP3 (dBm)
SINGLE TONE INPUT POWER (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
6
HMC985LP4KE
v01.0813
GaAs MMIC VOLTAGE - VARIABLE
ATTENUATOR, 10 - 40 GHz
Input IP3 vs. Input Power Over Frequency
Vctl1 = Vctl2
Input IP3 vs. Input Power Over
Temperature @ 20 GHz Vctl1 = Vctl2
20
24
28
32
36
40
-5 -1 3 7 11 15
10 GHz 20 GHz 30 GHz
IP3 (dBm)
SINGLE TONE INPUT POWER (dBm)
20
24
28
32
36
40
-5 -1 3 7 11 15
+25 C +85 C -40 C
IP3 (dBm)
SINGLE TONE INPUT POWER (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
7
HMC985LP4KE
v01.0813
GaAs MMIC VOLTAGE - VARIABLE
ATTENUATOR, 10 - 40 GHz
Outline Drawing
ELECTROSTATIC SENSITIVE DEVICE
OBSERVE HANDLING PRECAUTIONS
Part Number Package Body Material Lead Finish MSL Rating Package Marking
HMC985LP4KE RoHS-compliant Low Stress Injection Molded Plastic 100% matte Sn MSL1 [1] H985
XXX
[1] Max peak reow temperature of 260 °C
[2] 4-Digit lot number XXXX
Package Information
NOTES:
1. PACKAGE BODY MATERIAL: LOW STRESS INJECTION MOLDED PLASTIC SILICA AND
SILICON IMPREGNATED.
2. LEAD AND GROUND PADDLE MATERIAL: COPPER ALLOY.
3. LEAD AND GROUND PADDLE PLATING: 100% MATTE TIN
4. DIMENSIONS ARE IN INCHES [MILLIMETERS].
5. LEAD SPACING TOLERANCE IS NON-CUMULATIVE.
6. CHARACTERS TO BE HELVETICA MEDIUM, .025 HIGH, WHITE INK, OR LASER MARK
LOCATED APPROX. AS SHOWN.
7. PAD BURR LENGTH SHALL BE 0.15mm MAX. PAD BURR HEIGHT SHALL BE 0.05mm MAX.
8. PACKAGE WARP SHALL NOT EXCEED 0.05mm
9. ALL GROUND LEADS AND GROUND PADDLE MUST BE SOLDERED TO PCB RF GROUND.
10. REFER TO HITTITE APPLICATION NOTE FOR SUGGESTED PCB LAND PATTERN.
Absolute Maximum Ratings
Control Voltage +1 to -5V
Input RF Power 30 dBm
Maximum Junction Temperature 165 °C
Thermal Resistance (RTH)
(junction to ground paddle) 62 °C/W
Operating Temperature -40°C to +85°C
Storage Temperature -65°C to 125°C
ESD Sensitivity (HBM) Class1A, passed 250V
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
HMC985LP4KE
v01.0813
GaAs MMIC VOLTAGE - VARIABLE
ATTENUATOR, 10 - 40 GHz
Application Circuit
Pin Descriptions
Pin Number Function Description Pin Schematic
1, 2, 4-7, 12-15,
17-19, 24 GND These pins and package bottom must be
connected to RF/DC ground externally.
3RFIN This pad is DC coupled and matched to 50 Ohms.
8Vctl1 Control Voltage 1.
9, 11, 20-23 NC
These pins are not connected internally, however all
data shown herein was measured with these pins
connected to RF/DC ground externally.
10 Vctl2 Control Voltage 2.
16 RFOUT This pad is DC coupled and matched to 50 Ohms.
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
9
HMC985LP4KE
v01.0813
GaAs MMIC VOLTAGE - VARIABLE
ATTENUATOR, 10 - 40 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 EVAL01-HMC985LP4KE [1]
Item Description
J1-J2, J6-J7 K Connectors.
J3-J5 DC Pins.
C1-C2 100pF Capacitors, 0402 Pkg.
C3-C4 0.01 µF Capacitor, 0603 Pkg.
C5-C6 4.7 µF Case A, Tantalum.
U1 HMC985LP4KE VVA.
PCB 600-00220-00 Evaluation PCB.
[1] Reference this number when ordering complete evaluation PCB
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
10
HMC985LP4KE
v01.0813
GaAs MMIC VOLTAGE - VARIABLE
ATTENUATOR, 10 - 40 GHz
Notes:
