Alpha Industries, Inc. [781] 935-5150
· Fax [617] 824-4579 · Email sales@alphaind.com · www.alphaind.com
1
Specifications subject to change without notice. 2/00A
1850 GHz GaAs MMIC
Voltage Variable Attenuator
Features
I Single Voltage Control
I 40 dB Attenuation Range
I Balanced 0.25 µm MESFET
Non-Reflective Design
I 100% On-Wafer RF and DC Testing
I 100% Visual Inspection to MIL-STD-883
MT 2010
Chip Outline
AV850M1-00
Description
Alpha's AV850M1-00 MMIC voltage variable attenuator is
a balanced configuration incorporating Lange couplers at
input and output. The attenuator has a typical insertion loss
of 2.5 dB over the 1840 GHz band with a worst-case
insertion loss of 3.5 dB across the full 1850 GHz band.
The attenuation range is 35 dB over the full 1850 GHz
band while typical I/P and O/P return loss is better than
13 dB for all attenuation states. The chip uses Alpha's
proven 0.25
µm MESFET technology and is based upon
MBE layers and electron beam lithography for the highest
uniformity and repeatability. The MMICs employ surface
passivation to ensure a rugged, reliable part with
through-substrate via holes and gold-based backside
metallization to facilitate a conductive epoxy die attach
process. All chips are screened for insertion loss, full
attenuation and I/P and O/P match over the 1850 GHz
band for guaranteed performance.
Parameter
Condition
Symbol
Min.
Typ.
2
Max.
Unit
Maximum Attenuation
V
C
= 0 V
ISO
35
45
dB
Minimum Attenuation
V
C
= -5 V
I
L
2.5
3.5
dB
Input Return Loss
At Min. and Max. Attenuation
RL
I
-20
-12.5
dB
Output Return Loss
At Min. and Max. Attenuation
RL
O
-20
-12.5
dB
Input Power at 1 dB Gain Compression
P
1 dB
0
dBm
(For All Attenuation Levels)
1
Electrical Specifications at 25°C (Frequency = 18, 24, 31, 38, 43, 50 GHz)
0.000
0.000
1.634
0.095
0.320
2.000
1.080
1.400
0.365
1.305
Dimensions indicated in mm.
All DC (V) pads are 0.1 x 0.1 mm and RF In, Out pads are 0.07 mm wide.
Chip thickness = 0.1 mm.
Characteristic
Value
Operating Temperature (T
C
)
-55°C to +90°C
Storage Temperature (T
ST
)
-65°C to +150°C
Control Voltage (V
C
)
-7 V
DC
Power In (P
IN
)
30 dBm
Junction Temperature (T
J
)
175°C
Absolute Maximum Ratings
1. Not measured on a 100% basis.
2. Typical represents the median parameter value across the specified
frequency range for the median chip.
1850 GHz GaAs MMIC Voltage Variable Attenuator
AV850M1-00
2
Alpha Industries, Inc. [781] 935-5150
· Fax [617] 824-4579 · Email sales@alphaind.com · www.alphaind.com
Specifications subject to change without notice. 2/00A
Attenuation vs. Frequency (By State)
Frequency (GHz)
-70
0
5
Max.
Min.
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
-60
-50
-40
-30
-20
-10
Atten
uation (dB)
0
Attenuation vs. Control Voltage
Voltage (V)
-70
0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
-60
-50
-40
-30
-20
-10
Atten
uation (dB)
0
Insertion Loss vs. Frequency
Frequency (GHz)
-9
-7
-8
18
23
28
33
38
43
48
50
-6
-5
-4
-3
-2
-1
Inser
tion Loss (dB)
Retur
n Loss (dB)
0
-45
-35
-40
-30
-25
-20
-15
-10
-5
0
S
21
S
22
S
11
15
20
25
30
10
5
0
15
10
5
0
-5
Attenuation (dB)
Attenuation vs. 1.0 dB Compression Point
P
IN
at 1.0 dB Compression
(dBm)
20
F = 30 GHz
Typical Performance Data
RF
V
C
V
C
RF
Bias Arrangement
RF IN
RF OUT
V
C
V
C
Circuit Schematic
Bias must be applied to both V
C
. Voltage range is V
Low
= 0 V to V
High
= -5 V.
V
Low
corresponds to high attenuation state.
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