1 of 17
Optimum Technology Matching® Applied
GaAs HBT
InGaP HBT
GaAs MESFET
SiGe BiCMOS
Si BiCMOS
SiGe HBT
GaAs pHEMT
Si CMOS
Si BJT
GaN HEMT
Functional Block Diagram
RF MICRO DEVICES®, RFMD®, Optimum Technology Matching®, Enabling Wireless Connectivity™, PowerStar®, POLARIS™ TOTAL RADIO™ and UltimateBlue™ are trademarks of RFMD, LLC. BLUETOOTH is a trade-
mark owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc., U.S.A. and licensed for use by RFMD. All other trade names, trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners. ©2012, RF Micro Devices, Inc.
Product Description
7628 Thorndike Road, Greensboro, NC 27409-9421 · For sales or technical
support, contact RFMD at (+1) 336-678-5570 or customerservice@rfmd.com.
Ordering Information
BiFET HBT
4
CONTROL
BLOCK
ATTEN
RFIN RFOUT
VC
VDD
MODE
5
3
2
1
6 7 8
9
10
11
12
13141516
GND
NC
NC
GND
GND
GND
GND
NC
NC
GND
GND
RFSA2023
VOLTAGE CONTROLLED ATTENUATOR
RFMD's RFSA2023 is a fully monolithic analog voltage controlled attenuator (VCA) featuring
exceptional linearity over a typical temperature compensated 30dB gain control range. It incor-
porates a revolutionary new circuit architecture to solve a long standing industry problem: high
IP3, high attenuation range, low DC current, broad bandwidth and temperature compensated
linear in dB control voltage characteristic. This voltage controlled attenuator is controlled by a
single positive control voltage with on chip DC conditioning circuitry. The slope of the control
voltage versus gain is selectable. The RFSA2023 draws a very low 1mA current and is packaged
in a small 3mm x 3mm QFN. This attenuator is matched to 50 over its rated control range and
frequency with no external matching components required. Typical VCA's in this performance
category have poor inherent attenuation versus temperature and poor nonlinear attenuation
versus control voltage characteristics. To correct these shortcomings, other VCA's require exten-
sive off chip analog support circuitry that consume valuable PCB area and additional DC power.
This game changing product incorporates the complete solution in a small 3mm x 3mm QFN
package that reduces the footprint by 20X in area and reduces the DC power by 10X over con-
ventional PIN diode approaches.
Features
Patent Pending Circuit
Architecture
Broadband 50MHz to 6000MHz
Frequency Range
30dB Attenuation Range
+50dBm IIP3 Typical
+80dBm IIP2 Typical
High 1dB Compression
Point >+30dBm
Low Supply Current 1mA Typical
3.3V Power Supply
Linear in dB Control
Characteristic
Internal Temperature
Compensation
Class 1C ESD (1000V)
Complete Solution in a Small
3mm x 3mm, QFN Package
5V Part Available RFSA2013
Applications
Cellular, 3G Infrastructure
WiBro, WiMax, LTE
Microwave Radio
High Linearity Power Control
DS120705
Package Style: QFN, 16-Pin, 0.9mm x 3mm x 3mm
RFSA2023
Voltag e Con-
trolled Attenu-
ator
RFSA2023SR 7” Sample reel with 100 pieces
RFSA2023SR Sample bag with 25 pieces
RFSA2023TR7 7” Reel with 2500 pieces
RFSA2023PCK-410 50MHz to 6000MHz PCBA with 5-piece sample bag
2 of 17
RFSA2023
DS120705
7628 Thorndike Road, Greensboro, NC 27409-9421 · For sales or technical
support, contact RFMD at (+1) 336-678-5570 or customerservice@rfmd.com.
Absolute Maximum Ratings
Parameter Rating Unit
Supply Voltage -0.5 to +4 V
Control Voltage -0.5 to +4 V
Mode Pin Voltage -0.5 to +4 V
RF Input Power +30 dBm
Operating Temperature -40 to +85 °C
Storage Temperature -65 to +150 °C
Junction Temperature +125 °C
ESD Rating (HBM) 1000 V
Parameter Specification Unit Condition
Min. Typ. Max.
General
Supply Voltage 3.0 3.3 3.5 V
Supply Current 1 mA
Operating Temperature -40 85 °C
Thermal Resistance 45 °C/W RF input must be RFIN pin
RF Input Power 27 dBm RF input must be RFIN pin
RF Performance
Frequency Range 50 6000 MHz
Minimum Insertion Loss 2.6 3.5 dB
Gain Control Range 30 33.2 dB DC to 4GHz
Gain versus Temperature 1.7 dB Peak to peak gain variation over temperature for
fixed control voltage
Relative Phase 15.9 Deg Insertion phase at 15dB attenuation relative to min-
imum insertion loss
Return Loss 15 dB
Input 1dB Compression Point 30 dBm
Input IP3 45 50 dBm PIN + (IM3dBC/2)
Input IP2 80 dBm PIN + IM2dBC, IM2 is F1+F2
Input IH2 85 dBm PIN + H2dBC, H2 is second harmonic
Input IH3 55 dBm PIN + (H3dBC/2), H3 is third harmonic
Control
Voltage Control Range, Positive
Attenuation Slope
0.0 2.5 V 2.5V control voltage is lowest insertion loss, MODE
pin high
Voltage Control Range, Negative
Attenuation Slope
0.0 2.5 V 0V control voltage is lowest insertion loss, MODE
pin low
Voltage Control Pin Current (MODE High) 1.1 A VC pin at 2.5V
Voltage Control Pint Current (MODE Low) 1.7 A VC pin at 2.5V
MODE Pin Logic Low 0.4 V
MODE Pin Logic High 1 V
Settling Time 15 sec 1dB attenuation change settling within 0.1dB
Note: Typical performance at nominal conditions unless otherwise noted: Supply voltage = 3.3V, Operating temperature = 25°C, RF Frequency
2GHz
Caution! ESD sensitive device.
Exceeding any one or a combination of the Absolute Maximum Rating conditions may
cause permanent damage to the device. Extended application of Absolute Maximum
Rating conditions to the device may reduce device reliability. Specified typical perfor-
mance or functional operation of the device under Absolute Maximum Rating condi-
tions is not implied.
The information in this publication is believed to be accurate and reliable. However, no
responsibility is assumed by RF Micro Devices, Inc. ("RFMD") for its use, nor for any
infringement of patents, or other rights of third parties, resulting from its use. No
license is granted by implication or otherwise under any patent or patent rights of
RFMD. RFMD reserves the right to change component circuitry, recommended appli-
cation circuitry and specifications at any time without prior notice.
RFMD Green: RoHS compliant per EU Directive 2002/95/EC, halogen free
per IEC 61249-2-21, < 1000ppm each of antimony trioxide in polymeric
materials and red phosphorus as a flame retardant, and <2% antimony in
solder.
3 of 17
RFSA2023
DS120705
7628 Thorndike Road, Greensboro, NC 27409-9421 · For sales or technical
support, contact RFMD at (+1) 336-678-5570 or customerservice@rfmd.com.
Measured Positive Attenuation Slope Performance
Data includes PCB and connector losses
-50
-45
-40
-35
-30
-25
-20
-15
-10
-5
0
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.0 2.2 2.4 2.6
Insertion Loss (dB)
Voltage Control (V)
Insertion Loss versus Voltage Control
RF 2GHz, VDD=3.3V
25°C
-40°C
85°C
-50
-45
-40
-35
-30
-25
-20
-15
-10
-5
0
0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 4.5 5.0 5.5 6.0
Insertion Loss (dB)
Frequency (GHz)
Insertion Loss versus Frequency
VDD=3.3V, Temp=+25°C
VC=0V VC=0.5V
VC=1.0V VC=1.5V
VC=2.0V VC=2.5V
-35
-30
-25
-20
-15
-10
-5
0
0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 4.5 5.0 5.5 6.0
Input Return Loss (dB)
Frequency (GHz)
Input Return Loss versus Frequency
VDD=3.3V, Temp=+25°C
VC=0V VC=0.5V
VC=1.0V VC=1.5V
VC=2.0V VC=2.5V
-35
-30
-25
-20
-15
-10
-5
0
0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 4.5 5.0 5.5 6.0
Output Return Loss (dB)
Frequency (GHz)
Output Return Loss versus Frequency
VDD=3.3V, Temp=+25°C
VC=0V VC=0.5V
VC=1.0V VC=1.5V
VC=2.0V VC=2.5V
-35
-30
-25
-20
-15
-10
-5
0
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.0 2.2 2.4 2.6
Input Return Loss (dB)
Voltage Control (V)
Input Return Loss versus Voltage Control
RF 2GHz, VDD=3.3V
25°C
-40°C
85°C
-35
-30
-25
-20
-15
-10
-5
0
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.0 2.2 2.4 2.6
Output Return Loss (dB)
Voltage Control (V)
Output Return Loss versus Voltage Control
RF 2GHz, VDD=3.3V
25°C
-40°C
85°C
4 of 17
RFSA2023
DS120705
7628 Thorndike Road, Greensboro, NC 27409-9421 · For sales or technical
support, contact RFMD at (+1) 336-678-5570 or customerservice@rfmd.com.
Measured Positive Attenuation Slope Performance
Data includes PCB and connector losses
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
-40 -35 -30 -25 -20 -15 -10 -5 0
Input IP3 (dBm)
Attenuation (dB)
Input IP3 versus Attenuation
RF 2GHz, VDD=3.3V, Pin=+20dBm/Tone
25°C
-40°C
85°C
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.0 2.2 2.4 2.6
Input IP3 (dBm)
Voltage Control (V)
Input IP3 versus Voltage Control
RF 2GHz, VDD=3.3V, Pin=+20dBm/Tone
25°C
-40°C
85°C
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
-40 -35 -30 -25 -20 -15 -10 -5 0
Input IP3 (dBm)
Attenuation (dB)
Input IP3 versus Attenuation
VDD=3.3V, Pin=+20dBm/Tone, Temp=+25°C
500MHz 1GHz
2GHz 3GHz
4GHz
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.0 2.2 2.4 2.6
Input IP3 (dBm)
Voltage Control (V)
Input IP3 versus Voltage Control
V
DD
=3.3V, Pin=+20dBm/Tone, Temp=+25°C
500MHz 1GHz
2GHz 3GHz
4GHz
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
-40 -35 -30 -25 -20 -15 -10 -5 0
Input IP2 (dBm)
Attenuation (dB)
Input IP2 versus Attenuation
RF 2GHz, VDD=3.3V, Pin=+20dBm/Tone
25°C
-40°C
85°C
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.0 2.2 2.4 2.6
Input IP2 (dBm)
Voltage Control (V)
Input IP2 versus Voltage Control
RF 2GHz, VDD=3.3V, Pin=+20dB/Tone
25°C
-40°C
85°C
5 of 17
RFSA2023
DS120705
7628 Thorndike Road, Greensboro, NC 27409-9421 · For sales or technical
support, contact RFMD at (+1) 336-678-5570 or customerservice@rfmd.com.
Measured Positive Attenuation Slope Performance
Data includes PCB and connector losses
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
-40 -35 -30 -25 -20 -15 -10 -5 0
Input IP2 (dBm)
Attenuation (dB)
Input IP2 versus Attenuation
V
DD
=3.3V, Pin=+20dBm/Tone, Temp=+25°C
500MHz 1GHz
2GHz 3GHz
4GHz
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
-40 -35 -30 -25 -20 -15 -10 -5 0
IH3 (dBm)
Attenuation (dB)
3rd Harmonic IH3 versus Attenuation
RF 2GHz, VDD=3.3V, Pin=+20dBm
25°C
-40°C
85°C
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.0 2.2 2.4 2.6
IH3 (dBm)
Voltage Control (V)
3rd Harmonic IH3 versus Voltage Control
RF 2GHz, VDD=3.3V, Pin=+20dBm
25°C
-40°C
85°C
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.0 2.2 2.4 2.6
Input IP2 (dBm)
Voltage Control (V)
Input IP2 versus Voltage Control
V
DD
=3.3V, Pin=+20dBm/Tone, Temp=+25°C
500MHz 1GHz
2GHz 3GHz
4GHz
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
-40 -35 -30 -25 -20 -15 -10 -5 0
IH3 (dBm)
Attenuation (dB)
3rd Harmonic IH3 versus Attenuation
VDD=3.3V, Pin=+20dBm, Temp=+25°C
500MHz 1GHz
2GHz 3GHz
4GHz
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.0 2.2 2.4 2.6
IH3 (dBm)
Voltage Control (V)
3rd Harmonic IH3 versus Voltage Control
VDD=3.3V, Pin=+20dBm, Temp=+25°C
500MHz 1GHz
2GHz 3GHz
4GHz
6 of 17
RFSA2023
DS120705
7628 Thorndike Road, Greensboro, NC 27409-9421 · For sales or technical
support, contact RFMD at (+1) 336-678-5570 or customerservice@rfmd.com.
Measured Positive Attenuation Slope Performance
Data includes PCB and connector losses
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
-40 -35 -30 -25 -20 -15 -10 -5 0
IH2 (dBm)
Attenuation (dB)
2nd Harmonic IH2 versus Attenuation
RF 2GHz, V
DD
=3.3V, Pin=+20dBm
25°C
-40°C
85°C
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.0 2.2 2.4 2.6
IH2 (dBm)
Voltage Control (V)
2nd Harmonic IH2 versus Voltage Control
RF 2GHz, V
DD
=3.3V, Pin=+20dBm
25°C
-40°C
85°C
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
120
-40 -35 -30 -25 -20 -15 -10 -5 0
IH2 (dBm)
Attenuation (dB)
2nd Harmonic IH2 versus Attenuation
V
DD
=3.3V, Pin=+20dBm, Temp=+25°C
500MHz 1GHz
2GHz 3GHz
4GHz
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
120
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.0 2.2 2.4 2.6
IH2 (dBm)
Voltage Control (V)
2nd Harmonic IH2 versus Voltage Control
V
DD
=3.3V, Pin=+20dBm, Temp=+25°C
500MHz 1GHz
2GHz 3GHz
4GHz
7 of 17
RFSA2023
DS120705
7628 Thorndike Road, Greensboro, NC 27409-9421 · For sales or technical
support, contact RFMD at (+1) 336-678-5570 or customerservice@rfmd.com.
Measured Positive Attenuation Slope Performance
Data includes PCB and connector losses
-3.0
-2.5
-2.0
-1.5
-1.0
-0.5
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.0 2.2 2.4 2.6
Insertion Loss Delta (dB)
Voltage Control (V)
Insertion Loss Relative to +25°C
RF 2GHz, VDD=3.3V
+85°C
-40°C
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
Settling Time (usec)
Insertion Loss (dB)
Insertion Loss Settling Time - 1dB Steps
RF 2GHz, V
DD
=3.3V
25°C
-40°C
85°C
-20
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
-40 -35 -30 -25 -20 -15 -10 -5 0
Relative Insertion Phase (Deg)
Insertion Loss (dB)
Relative Insertion Phase versus Insertion Loss
VDD=3.3V, Temp 25°C
1GHz
2GHz
3GHz
4GHz
-20
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5
Relative Insertion Phase (Deg)
Voltage Control (V)
Relative Insertion Phase versus Voltage Control
VDD=3.3V, Temp 25°C
1GHz
2GHz
3GHz
4GHz
8 of 17
RFSA2023
DS120705
7628 Thorndike Road, Greensboro, NC 27409-9421 · For sales or technical
support, contact RFMD at (+1) 336-678-5570 or customerservice@rfmd.com.
Measured Negative Attenuation Slope Performance
Data includes PCB and connector losses
-50
-45
-40
-35
-30
-25
-20
-15
-10
-5
0
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.0 2.2 2.4 2.6
Insertion Loss (dB)
Voltage Control (V)
Insertion Loss versus Voltage Control
RF 2GHz, VDD=3.3V
25°C
-40°C
85°C
-50
-45
-40
-35
-30
-25
-20
-15
-10
-5
0
0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 4.5 5.0 5.5 6.0
Insertion Loss (dB)
Frequency (GHz)
Insertion Loss versus Frequency
VDD=3.3V, Temp=+25°C
VC=0V VC=0.5V
VC=1.0V VC=1.5V
VC=2.0V VC=2.5V
-35
-30
-25
-20
-15
-10
-5
0
0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 4.5 5.0 5.5 6.0
Input Return Loss (dB)
Frequency (GHz)
Input Return Loss versus Frequency
VDD=3.3V, Temp=+25°C
VC=0V VC=0.5V
VC=1.0V VC=1.5V
VC=2.0V VC=2.5V
-35
-30
-25
-20
-15
-10
-5
0
0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 4.5 5.0 5.5 6.0
Output Return Loss (dB)
Frequency (GHz)
Output Return Loss versus Frequency
VDD=3.3V, Temp=+25°C
VC=0V VC=0.5V
VC=1.0V VC=1.5V
VC=2.0V VC=2.5V
-35
-30
-25
-20
-15
-10
-5
0
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.0 2.2 2.4 2.6
Input Return Loss (dB)
Voltage Control (V)
Input Return Loss versus Voltage Control
RF 2GHz, VDD=3.3V
25°C
-40°C
85°C
-35
-30
-25
-20
-15
-10
-5
0
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.0 2.2 2.4 2.6
Output Return Loss (dB)
Voltage Control (V)
Output Return Loss versus Voltrage Control
RF 2GHz, VDD=3.3V
25°C
-40°C
85°C
9 of 17
RFSA2023
DS120705
7628 Thorndike Road, Greensboro, NC 27409-9421 · For sales or technical
support, contact RFMD at (+1) 336-678-5570 or customerservice@rfmd.com.
Measured Negative Attenuation Slope Performance
Data includes PCB and connector losses
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
-40 -35 -30 -25 -20 -15 -10 -5 0
Input IP3 (dBm)
Attenuation (dB)
Input IP3 versus Attenuation
RF 2GHz, VDD=3.3V, Pin=+20dBm/Tone
25°C
-40°C
85°C
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.0 2.2 2.4 2.6
Input IP3 (dBm)
Voltage Control (V)
Input IP3 versus Voltage Control
RF 2GHz, VDD=3.3V, Pin=+20dBm/Tone
25°C
-40°C
85°C
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
-40 -35 -30 -25 -20 -15 -10 -5 0
Input IP3 (dBm)
Attenuation (dB)
Input IP3 versus Attenuation
V
DD
=3.3V, Pin=+20dBm/Tone, Temp=+25°C
500MHz 1GHz
2GHz 3GHz
4GHz
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.0 2.2 2.4 2.6
Input IP3 (dBm)
Voltage Control (V)
Input IP3 versus Voltage Control
V
DD
=3.3V, Pin=+20dBm/Tone, Temp=+25°C
500MHz 1GHz
2GHz 3GHz
4GHz
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
-40 -35 -30 -25 -20 -15 -10 -5 0
Input IP2 (dBm)
Attenuation (dB)
Input IP2 versus Attenuation
RF 2GHz, VDD=3.3V, Pin=+20dBm/Tone
25°C
-40°C
85°C
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.0 2.2 2.4 2.6
Input IP2 (dBm)
Voltage Control (V)
Input IP2 versus Voltage Control
RF 2GHz, VDD=3.3V, Pin=+20dBm/Tone
25°C
-40°C
85°C
10 of 17
RFSA2023
DS120705
7628 Thorndike Road, Greensboro, NC 27409-9421 · For sales or technical
support, contact RFMD at (+1) 336-678-5570 or customerservice@rfmd.com.
Measured Negative Attenuation Slope Performance
Data includes PCB and connector losses
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
-40 -35 -30 -25 -20 -15 -10 -5 0
Input IP2 (dBm)
Attenuation (dB)
Input IP2 versus Attenuation
V
DD
=3.3V, Pin=+20dBm/Tone, Temp=+25°C
500MHz 1GHz
2GHz 3GHz
4GHz
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.0 2.2 2.4 2.6
Input IP2 (dBm)
Voltage Control (V)
Input IP2 versus Voltage Control
V
DD
=3.3V, Pin=+20dBm/Tone, Temp=+25°C
500MHz 1GHz
2GHz 3GHz
4GHz
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.0 2.2 2.4 2.6
IH3 (dBm)
Voltage Control (V)
3rd Harmonic IH3 versus Voltage Control
RF 2GHz, VDD=3.3V, Pin=+20dBm
25°C
-40°C
85°C
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
-40 -35 -30 -25 -20 -15 -10 -5 0
IH3 (dBm)
Attenuation (dB)
3rd Harmonic IH3 versus Attenuation
RF 2GHz, VDD=3.3V, Pin=+20dBm
25°C
-40°C
85°C
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
-40 -35 -30 -25 -20 -15 -10 -5 0
IH3 (dBm)
Attenuation (dB)
3rd Harmonic IH3 versus Attenuation
VDD=3.3V, Pin=+20dBm, Temp=+25°C
500MHz 1GHz
2GHz 3GHz
4GHz
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.0 2.2 2.4 2.6
IH3 (dBm)
Voltage Control (V)
3rd Harmonic IH3 versus Voltage Control
VDD=3.3V, Pin=+20dBm, Temp=+25°C
500MHz 1GHz
2GHz 3GHz
4GHz
11 of 17
RFSA2023
DS120705
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Measured Negative Attenuation Slope Performance
Data includes PCB and connector losses
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.0 2.2 2.4 2.6
IH2 (dBm)
Voltage Control (V)
2nd Harmonic IH2 versus Voltage Control
RF 2GHz, V
DD
=3.3V, Pin=+20dBm
25°C
-40°C
85°C
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
-40 -35 -30 -25 -20 -15 -10 -5 0
IH2 (dBm)
Attenuation (dB)
2nd Harmonic IH2 versus Attenuation
RF 2GHz, V
DD
=3.3V, Pin=+20dBm
25°C
-40°C
85°C
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
120
-40 -35 -30 -25 -20 -15 -10 -5 0
IH2 (dBm)
Attenuation (dB)
2nd Harmonic IH2 versus Attenuation
V
DD
=3.3V, Pin=+20dBm, Temp=+25°C
500MHz 1GHz
2GHz 3GHz
4GHz
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
120
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.0 2.2 2.4 2.6
IH2 (dBm)
Voltage Control (V)
2nd Harmonic IH2 versus Voltage Control
V
DD
=3.3V, Pin=+20dBm, Temp=+25°C
500MHz 1GHz
2GHz 3GHz
4GHz
12 of 17
RFSA2023
DS120705
7628 Thorndike Road, Greensboro, NC 27409-9421 · For sales or technical
support, contact RFMD at (+1) 336-678-5570 or customerservice@rfmd.com.
Measured Negative Attenuation Slope Performance
Data includes PCB and connector losses
-3.0
-2.5
-2.0
-1.5
-1.0
-0.5
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.0 2.2 2.4 2.6
Insertion Loss delta (dB)
Voltage Control (V)
Insertion Loss Relative to +25°C
RF 2GHz, V
DD
=3.3V
+85°C
-40°C
-20
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
-40 -35 -30 -25 -20 -15 -10 -5 0
Relative Insertion Phase (Deg)
Insertion Loss (dB)
Relative Insertion Phase versus Insertion Loss
V
DD
=3.3V, Temp=25°C
1GHz
2GHz
3GHz
4GHz
-20
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
00.511.522.5
Relative Insertion Phase (Deg)
Voltage Control (V)
Relative Insertion Phase versus Voltage Control
V
DD
=3.3V, Temp=25°C
1GHz
2GHz
3GHz
4GHz
13 of 17
RFSA2023
DS120705
7628 Thorndike Road, Greensboro, NC 27409-9421 · For sales or technical
support, contact RFMD at (+1) 336-678-5570 or customerservice@rfmd.com.
Voltage Control Pin Current Performance
Data includes PCB and connector losses
-1.5
-1.0
-0.5
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0
Current (µA)
Voltage Control (V)
VC Pin Current versus Voltage Control
Postive Slope, MODE=High, V
DD
=3.3V
-2.5
-2.0
-1.5
-1.0
-0.5
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0
Current (µA)
Voltage Control (V)
VC Pin Current versus Voltage Control
Negative Slope, MODE=Low, V
DD
=3.3V
14 of 17
RFSA2023
DS120705
7628 Thorndike Road, Greensboro, NC 27409-9421 · For sales or technical
support, contact RFMD at (+1) 336-678-5570 or customerservice@rfmd.com.
PCB Patterns
Thermal vias for center slug “C” should be incorporated into the PCB design. The number and size of thermal vias will depend
on the application, the power dissipation and the electrical requirements. Example of the number and size of vias can be found
on the RFMD evaluation board layout.
Pin Names and Descriptions
Pin Name Description
1GND
Ground Pin
2NC
No Connection. Do Not Connect to PC Board Ground Plane.
3RFIN
RF Input. Use External DC Block. RF input must be this pin to insure linearity and thermal resistance
specifications.
4NC
No Connection. Do Not Connect to PC Board Ground Plane.
5GND
Ground Pin
6GND
Ground Pin
7GND
Ground Pin
8GND
Ground Pin
9NC
No Connection. Do Not Connect to PC Board Ground Plane.
10 RFOUT RF Output. Use External DC Block. RF output must be this pin to insure linearity and thermal resis-
tance specifications.
11 NC No Connection. Do Not Connect to PC Board Ground Plane.
12 GND Ground Pin
13 GND Ground Pin
14 VC Attenuator Control Voltage
15 VDD Supply Voltage (3.3V)
16 MODE Attenuation Slope Control
Set to Logic Low to Enable Negative Attenuation Slope
Set to Logic High to Enable Positive Attenuation Slope
GND GND Exposed Package Ground Paddle is RF and DC Ground
15 of 17
RFSA2023
DS120705
7628 Thorndike Road, Greensboro, NC 27409-9421 · For sales or technical
support, contact RFMD at (+1) 336-678-5570 or customerservice@rfmd.com.
Evaluation Board Schematic
16 of 17
RFSA2023
DS120705
7628 Thorndike Road, Greensboro, NC 27409-9421 · For sales or technical
support, contact RFMD at (+1) 336-678-5570 or customerservice@rfmd.com.
Evaluation Board Assembly Drawing
Evaluation Board Bill of Materials (BOM)
Notes:
1. Manufacturers' P/Ns are subject to change by the manufacturers following the issue of this document and are thereby
included for reference only.
2. Contact RFMD Corporate Engineering Materials with questions regarding specific Manufacturers' P/Ns.
Description Reference Designator Manufacturer Manufacturer’s P/N
Voltage Controlled Attenuator VCA, 3.3V U1 RFMD RFSA2023
CONN, SMA, END LNCH, MINI, FLT, 0.068” J1-J2 Emerson Network Power 142-0741-851
CONN, HDR, ST, 4-PIN, 0.100”, T/H P1 MOLEX 22-28-4043
PCB, SA2013-410 DDI SA2013-410
CAP, 1000pF, 10%, 25V, X7R, 0402 C1-C3 Murata Electronics GRM155R71H102KA01D
CAP, 1F, 10%, 16V, X7R, 1206 C4 Murata Electronics GRM31MR71E105KC01L
RES, 0, 5%, 0402 R5 Kamaya, Inc RMC1/16SJPTH
DNP C5-C9 N/A N/A
DNP R1-R4 N/A N/A
DNP P2 N/A N/A
17 of 17
RFSA2023
DS120705
7628 Thorndike Road, Greensboro, NC 27409-9421 · For sales or technical
support, contact RFMD at (+1) 336-678-5570 or customerservice@rfmd.com.
Package Drawing
(0.9mm x 3mm x 3mm)
Branding Diagram
(0.9mm x 3mm x 3mm)
Pin 1 Indicator
Trace Code to be assigned by SubCon
SA
SA
2023
2023
Trace Code
Trace Code