ATTENUATORS - SMT
5
5 - 156
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
General Description
Features
Functional Diagram
RoHS Compliant Product
Single Positive Voltage Control: 0 to +3V
High Attenuation Range: 48 dB @ 0.9 GHz
High P1dB Compression Point: +15 dBm
Ultra Small Package: MSOP8
Replaces HMC173MS8
Electrical Speci cations, TA = +25° C, Vdd = +3.3 Vdc, 50 Ohm System
Typical Applications
The HMC473MS8 & HMC473MS8E are general
purpose absorptive voltage variable attenuators
in 8-lead MSOP packages. The devices operate
with a +3.3V supply voltage and a 0 to +3V control
voltage. Unique features include a high dynamic
attenuation range of up to 48 dB and excellent
power handling performance through all attenuation
states. The HMC473MS8 & HMC473MS8E are ideal
for operation in wireless applications from 0.45 to
1.6 GHz. Operation from 1.7 to 2.2 GHz is possible
with a reduced maximum attenuation of 29 to 32 dB.
Improved control voltage linearity vs. attenuation can
be achieved with an external driver circuit.
The HMC473MS8 / HMC473MS8E is ideal for:
• Cellular, UMTS/3G Infrastructure
• Portable Wireless
• GPS
Parameter Min. Typ. Max. Units
Insertion Loss (Min. Atten.)
(Vctl = 0.0 Vdc)
0.45 - 0.8 GHz
0.8 - 1.0 GHz
1.0 - 1.6 GHz
1.6 - 2.0 GHz
2.0 - 2.2 GHz
1. 8
1. 9
2.4
2.8
3.0
2.2
2.3
2.9
3.3
3.5
dB
dB
dB
dB
dB
Attenuation Range
(Vctl = 0 to +3 V)
0.45 - 0.8 GHz
0.8 - 1.0 GHz
1.0 - 1.6 GHz
1.6 - 2.0 GHz
2.0 - 2.2 GHz
34
43
32
27
24
39
48
37
32
29
dB
dB
dB
dB
dB
Return Loss
(Vctl = 0 to +3 V)
0.45 - 0.8 GHz
0.8 - 1.0 GHz
1.0 - 1.6 GHz
1.6 - 2.0 GHz
2.0 - 2.2 GHz
15
14
11
10
9
dB
dB
dB
Input Power for 0.1 dB Compression
(0.9 GHz)
Min Atten.
Atten. >2.0
20
5.5
dBm
dBm
Input Power for 1.0 dB Compression
(0.9 GHz)
Min Atten.
Atten. >2.0
24
11
28
15
dBm
dBm
Input Third Order Intercept
(0.9 GHz, Two-tone Input Power = +5.0 dBm Each Tone)
Min Atten.
Atten. >2.0
47
20
dBm
dBm
Switching Characteristics
tRISE, tFALL (10/90% RF)
tON, tOFF (50% CTL to 10/90% RF)
0.45 - 2.2 GHz 1.3
1. 5
µS
µS
GaAs MMIC VOLTAGE VARIABLE
ATTENUATOR, 0.45 - 2.2 GHz
HMC473MS8 / 473MS8E
v01.1105
ATTENUATORS - SMT
5
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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
Insertion Loss vs. Temperature
Input IP3 vs. Control Voltage @ 0.9 GHz
Input IP3 vs. Control Voltage @ 1.9 GHz
-5
-4
-3
-2
-1
0
0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2 2.2
+25 C
+85 C
-40 C
INSERTION LOSS (dB)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
55
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3
+25 C
+85 C
-40 C
INPUT IP3 (dBm)
CONTROL VOLTAGE (V)
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
55
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3
+25 C
+85 C
-40 C
INPUT IP3 (dBm)
CONTROL VOLTAGE (V)
Input IP3 vs. Control Voltage @ 2.1 GHz
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
55
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3
+25 C
+85 C
-40 C
INPUT IP3 (dBm)
CONTROL VOLTAGE (V)
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
55
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3
+25 C
+85 C
-40 C
INPUT IP3 (dBm)
CONTROL VOLTAGE (V)
Input IP3 vs. Control Voltage @ 0.45 GHz
Return Loss vs. Control Voltage
-25
-20
-15
-10
-5
0
0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2
0 V (WORSE CASE)
1.0 V
1.8 V
2.0 V
3.0 V
RETURN LOSS (dB)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
GaAs MMIC VOLTAGE VARIABLE
ATTENUATOR, 0.45 - 2.2 GHz
HMC473MS8 / 473MS8E
v01.1105
ATTENUATORS - SMT
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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
Relative Attenuation vs.
Control Voltage @ 0.9 GHz
Relative Attenuation vs.
Control Voltage @ 1.9 GHz
Return Loss vs.
Control Voltage @ 0.9 GHz
Return Loss vs.
Control Voltage @ 1.9 GHz
-60
-50
-40
-30
-20
-10
0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3
+25 C
+85 C
-40 C
ATTENUATION (dB)
CONTROL VOLTAGE (V)
-35
-30
-25
-20
-15
-10
-5
0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3
+25 C
+85 C
- 40 C
ATTENUATION (dB)
CONTROL VOLTAGE (V)
-25
-20
-15
-10
-5
0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3
+25 C
+85C
-40 C
RETURN LOSS (dB)
CONTROL VOLTAGE (V)
-25
-20
-15
-10
-5
0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3
+25 C
+85 C
-40 C
RETURN LOSS (dB)
CONTROL VOLTAGE (V)
-45
-36
-27
-18
-9
0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3
+25 C
+85 C
-40 C
ATTENUATION (dB)
CONTROL VOLTAGE (V)
Relative Attenuation vs.
Control Voltage @ 0.45 GHz
-25
-20
-15
-10
-5
0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3
+25 C
+85 C
-40 C
RETURN LOSS (dB)
CONTROL VOLTAGE (V)
Return Loss vs.
Control Voltage @ 0.45 GHz
GaAs MMIC VOLTAGE VARIABLE
ATTENUATOR, 0.45 - 2.2 GHz
HMC473MS8 / 473MS8E
v01.1105
ATTENUATORS - SMT
5
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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
Relative Attenuation vs.
Control Voltage @ 2.1 GHz
Return Loss vs.
Control Voltage @ 2.1 GHz
-35
-30
-25
-20
-15
-10
-5
0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3
+25 C
+85 C
-40 C
ATTENUATION (dB)
CONTROL VOLTAGE (V)
-25
-20
-15
-10
-5
0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3
+25 C
+85 C
-40 C
RETURN LOSS (dB)
CONTROL VOLTAGE (V)
Worse Case Input P1dB vs. Temperature
5
10
15
20
25
0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2 2.2
+25 C
+85 C
-40 C
INPUT P1dB (dBm)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
Relative Attenuation vs. Control Voltage
-70
-60
-50
-40
-30
-20
-10
0
0.4 0.7 1 1.3 1.6 1.9 2.2
1.0 V
1.5 V
1.6V
1.7 V
1.8 V
2.0 V
3.0 V
ATTENUATION (dB)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
GaAs MMIC VOLTAGE VARIABLE
ATTENUATOR, 0.45 - 2.2 GHz
HMC473MS8 / 473MS8E
v01.1105
ATTENUATORS - SMT
5
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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
Outline Drawing
Control and Bias VoltageAbsolute Maximum Ratings
VCTL -0.2 Vdc to Vdd
Vdd +8 Vdc
Maximum Input Power
Vdd = +3.3 Vdc
+29 dBm
+21 dBm
Min. Atten.
Attenuation >2 dB
Channel Temperature (Tc) 150 °C
Thermal Resistance (RTH)
(junction to lead) 92 °C/W
Storage Temperature -65 to +150 °C
Operating Temperature -40 to +85 °C
ESD Sensitivity (HBM) Class 1A
VCTL 0 to +3 Vdc @ 1 μA
Vdd +3.3 Vdc ± 0.1 Vdc @ 10 μA
ELECTROSTATIC SENSITIVE DEVICE
OBSERVE HANDLING PRECAUTIONS
NOTES:
1. LEADFRAME MATERIAL: COPPER ALLOY
2. DIMENSIONS ARE IN INCHES [MILLIMETERS].
3. DIMENSION DOES NOT INCLUDE MOLDFLASH OF 0.15mm PER SIDE.
4. DIMENSION DOES NOT INCLUDE MOLDFLASH OF 0.25mm PER SIDE.
5. ALL GROUND LEADS MUST BE SOLDERED TO PCB RF GROUND.
Part Number Package Body Material Lead Finish MSL Rating Package Marking [3]
HMC473MS8 Low Stress Injection Molded Plastic Sn/Pb Solder MSL1 [1] H473
XXXX
HMC473MS8E RoHS-compliant Low Stress Injection Molded Plastic 100% matte Sn MSL1 [2] H473
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
GaAs MMIC VOLTAGE VARIABLE
ATTENUATOR, 0.45 - 2.2 GHz
HMC473MS8 / 473MS8E
v01.1105
ATTENUATORS - SMT
5
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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
Pin Descriptions
Pin Number Function Description Interface Schematic
1, 8 RF1, RF2
These pins are DC coupled and matched to 50 Ohms.
DC blocking capacitors are required. 330pF capacitors are
supplied on evaluation board.
2, 7 GND Pins must connect to RF ground.
3 Vctl Control voltage
4, 5 N/C No Connection. These pins may be connected to RF ground.
Performance will not be affected.
6Vdd Supply Voltage.
GaAs MMIC VOLTAGE VARIABLE
ATTENUATOR, 0.45 - 2.2 GHz
HMC473MS8 / 473MS8E
v01.1105
ATTENUATORS - SMT
5
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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
Attenuation Linearizing Control Circuit
For The HMC473MS8 / HMC473MS8E Voltage Variable Attenuator
A driver circuit to improve the attenuation linearity of the HMC473MS8 & HMC473MS8E can be implemented with a
simple op-amp con guration. A breakpoint linearization circuit will scale the voltage supplied to the control line of the
HMC473MS8 & HMC473MS8E, so that a more linear attenuation vs. control voltage slope can be achieved. A -3.3V
and +3.3V supply is required.
Diode and resistor values which de ne the op-amp gain, and breakpoint were selected to optimize a measured
production lot of attenuators at 0.9 GHz. R7 may be varied to optimize the performance of any given attenuator. If
the input voltage to the linearizing circuit will not drop below 1.0V, the R9 and D2 may be omitted, and this will greatly
reduce the overall power consumption of the driver circuit.
The linearizing circuit has been optimized for 0.9 GHz attenuation applications. A similar approach may be used at
other frequencies by adjusting R1 - R9 resistor values.
Required Parts List
Application Circuit
Part Description Manufacturer
AD822 Op-Amp Analog Devices
R1 10K ohms Panasonic
R2 200K ohms Panasonic
R3 7.5K ohms Panasonic
R4 39K ohms Panasonic
R5 220K ohms Panasonic
R6 91K ohms Panasonic
R7 910 ohms Panasonic
R8 51 ohms Panasonic
R9 100 ohms Panasonic
D1, D2 LL4148 D-35 Digi-Key
GaAs MMIC VOLTAGE VARIABLE
ATTENUATOR, 0.45 - 2.2 GHz
HMC473MS8 / 473MS8E
v01.1105
ATTENUATORS - SMT
5
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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
Evaluation PCB
The circuit board used in the  nal application
should be generated with proper RF circuit design
techniques. Signal lines at the RF ports should be
50 ohm impedance and the package ground leads
should be connected directly to the PCB RF ground
plane, similar to that shown above. The evaluation
circuit board shown above is available from Hittite
Microwave Corporation upon request.
List of Materials for Evaluation PCB 101827 [1]
Item Description
J1 - J2 PCB Mount SMA RF Connector
J3 - J5 DC PIN
C1, C2 330pF capacitor, 0402 Pkg.
C3, C4 10KpF capacitor, 0603 Pkg.
U1 HMC473MS8 / HMC473MS8E
PCB [2] 101825 Eval Board
[1] Reference this number when ordering complete evaluation PCB
[2] Circuit Board Material: Rogers 4350
GaAs MMIC VOLTAGE VARIABLE
ATTENUATOR, 0.45 - 2.2 GHz
HMC473MS8 / 473MS8E
v01.1105