APPLICATION NOTE DAT-31R5A/31A/15R5A Series Evaluation Boards Operation to VDD=5.2V AN-70-006 1. Background: Mini-Circuits DAT series of 50 ohm Digital Step Attenuators support a wide variety of configurations including attenuation range, step size and operating power supply voltages. Table 1 shows the models, their operating Voltages and associated Evaluation Boards Table 1 DAT Series Models, their Operating Voltages and associated Evaluation Boards 31.5 dB 31dB 15.5 dB VDD(V) VSS(V) Evaluation Models Models Models Spec Spec Board P/N DAT-31R5-SP+ DAT-31-SP+ DAT-15R5-SP+ + 2.7 to +3.3 N/A TB-334 DAT-31R5-SN+ DAT-31-SN+ DAT-15R5-SN+ + 2.7 to +3.3 -2.7 to -3.3V TB-342 DAT-31R5-PP+ DAT-31-PP+ DAT-15R5-PP+ + 2.7 to +3.3 N/A TB-339 DAT-31R5-PN+ DAT-31-PN+ DAT-15R5-PN+ + 2.7 to +3.3 -2.7 to -3.3V TB-340 Mini-Circuits is updating the above models with a new series of DAT Attenuators (Table 2). These models (“A” Suffix) are form-fit functional equivalents. The specified operating supply voltage ranges are nearly identical. Table 2 Updated DAT Models (“A” Series) , their Operating Voltages and associated Evaluation Boards 31.5 dB 31dB 15.5 dB VDD(V) VSS(V) Evaluation Models Models Models Spec Spec Board P/N DAT-31R5A-SP+ DAT-31A-SP+ DAT-15R5A-SP+ + 2.3 to +3.6 N/A TB-334 DAT-31R5A-SN+ DAT-31A-SN+ DAT-15R5A-SN+ + 2.7 to +3.6 -3.2 to -3.6V TB-342 DAT-31R5A-PP+ DAT-31A-PP+ DAT-15R5A-PP+ + 2.3 to +3.6 N/A TB-339 DAT-31R5A-PN+ DAT-31A-PN+ DAT-15R5A-PN+ + 2.7 to +3.6 -3.2 to -3.6V TB-340 The “A” series models are released to the market using the existing Evaluation Boards which are designed to operate over the specified VDD of up to 3.6V. HOWEVER: The “A” series is capable of operation over a wider voltage range of VDD, as high as +5.2V. AN-70-006 Rev : A (04/15/15) M150261 File: AN70006.doc This document and its contents are the property of Mini-Circuits. Sheet 1 of 7 APPLICATION NOTE This Application Note describes the application circuit and provides detailed instructions to configure the existing Evaluation Boards, as shown below, to operate over the extended voltage range (up to +5.2V). NOTE: Mini-Circuits uses Schmitt Triggers on the Evaluation Boards in order to ensure proper control signals level to the DUT and to filter external noise. For example if a user uses the PC LPT to control the DATs (provides 5 volts level), we need to ensure that the levels will not exceed 3.6 volts max and this is done with the Schmitt Trigger: a) N7 on TB-334 b) N19 on TB-342 c) N3, N4 & N23 on TB-339 & TB-340 . Mini-Circuits will be releasing updated Evaluation Boards which will operate over the entire voltage range, up to 5.2V. These Evaluation Boards will be available from February 2015. AN-70-006 Rev : A (04/15/15) M150261 File: AN70006.doc This document and its contents are the property of Mini-Circuits. Sheet 2 of 7 APPLICATION NOTE 2. TB-334 Evaluation Board Modification to operate with VDD from 3.6V to +5.2V (Models: DAT-31R5A-SP+, DAT-31A-SP+, DAT-15R5A-SP+) Modifications: A) Limit DC voltage on Pin 13 of DUT (N15) to +3.6V max as follows: A1) Cut PCB trace going to Pin 13 as shown below & apply a separate DC voltage in the range of +1.17 to +3.6V or A2) Place a resistive voltage divider from Pin 1 of N2 to Pin 13 of DUT to limit the voltage to +3.6V (eg: for Vdd=+5V use 178kΩ in series and 365kΩ in shunt) B) Cut PCB trace going to Pin +14 of N7 & apply a separate DC Voltage to Pin 14 in the range of +1.17 to +3.6V Cut PCB trace at location shown & solder a wire to provide a voltage in the range of +1.17 to +3.6V (GND should be common with VDD) AN-70-006 Rev : A (04/15/15) M150261 File: Cut PCB trace at location shown & solder a wire to provide a voltage in the range of +1.17 to +3.6V (GND should be common with VDD) or follow modification instruction A2 AN70006.doc This document and its contents are the property of Mini-Circuits. Sheet 3 of 7 APPLICATION NOTE 3. TB-342 Evaluation Board Modification to operate with VDD from 3.6V to +5.2V (Models: DAT-31R5A-SN+, DAT-31A-SN+, DAT-15R5A-SN+) Modifications: A) Limit DC voltage on Pin 13 of DAT(N8) to +3.6V max as follows: A1) Cut PCB trace going to Pin 13 as shown below & apply a separate DC voltage in the range of +1.17 to +3.6V or A2) Place a resistive voltage divider from Pin 1 of N25 to Pin 13 of DUT to limit the voltage to +3.6V (eg: for Vdd=+5V use 178kΩ in series and 365kΩ in shunt) B) Cut PCB trace going to Pin 14 of N19 & apply a separate DC Voltage to Pin 14 in the range of +1.17 to +3.6V Cut PCB trace at location shown & solder a wire to provide a voltage in +1.17 to +3.6V range (GND should be common with Vdd) AN-70-006 Rev : A (04/15/15) M150261 File: Cut PCB trace at location shown & solder a wire to provide a voltage in the range of +1.17 to +3.6V (GND should be common with VDD) or follow modification instruction A2 AN70006.doc This document and its contents are the property of Mini-Circuits. Sheet 4 of 7 APPLICATION NOTE 4. TB-339 Evaluation Board Modification to operate with VDD from 3.6V to +5.2V (Models: DAT-31R5A-PP+, DAT-31A-PP+, DAT-15R5A-PP+) Modifications: A) Set DC voltage at pin 1 of connector N2, +1.17 to +3.6V max. B) Cut PCB trace going to Pin 5 of N23 & apply a separate DC Voltage to Pin 5 in the range of +1.17 to +3.6V Set voltage on N2 to +1.17 to +3.6V range, instead of Vdd Cut PCB trace at location shown & solder a wire to provide a voltage in the range of +1.17 to +3.6V (GND should be common with Vdd) AN-70-006 Rev : A (04/15/15) M150261 File: AN70006.doc This document and its contents are the property of Mini-Circuits. Sheet 5 of 7 APPLICATION NOTE 5. TB-340 Evaluation Board Modification to operate with VDD from 3.6V to +5.2V (Models: DAT-31R5A-PN+, DAT-31A-PN+, DAT-15R5A-PN+) Modifications: A) Set DC voltage at pin 1 of connector N2, +1.17 to +3.6V max. B) Cut PCB trace going to Pin 5 of N23 & apply a separate DC Voltage to Pin 5 in the range of +1.17 to +3.6V Set voltage on N2 to +1.17 to +3.6V range, instead of Vdd Cut PCB trace at location shown & solder a wire to provide a voltage in the range of +1.17 to +3.6V (GND should be common with Vdd) AN-70-006 Rev : A (04/15/15) M150261 File: AN70006.doc This document and its contents are the property of Mini-Circuits. Sheet 6 of 7 APPLICATION NOTE IMPORTANT NOTICE © 2015 Mini-Circuits This document is provided as an accommodation to Mini-Circuits customers in connection with Mini-Circuits parts only. In that regard, this document is for informational and guideline purposes only. Mini-Circuits assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions in this document or for any information contained herein. Mini-Circuits may change this document or the Mini-Circuits parts referenced herein (collectively, the “Materials”) from time to time, without notice. Mini-Circuits makes no commitment to update or correct any of the Materials, and Mini-Circuits shall have no responsibility whatsoever on account of any updates or corrections to the Materials or Mini-Circuits’ failure to do so. Mini-Circuits customers are solely responsible for the products, systems, and applications in which Mini-Circuits parts are incorporated or used. In that regard, customers are responsible for consulting with their own engineers and other appropriate professionals who are familiar with the specific products and systems into which Mini-Circuits’ parts are to be incorporated or used so that the proper selection, installation/integration, use and safeguards are made. Accordingly, Mini-Circuits assumes no liability therefor. In addition, your use of this document and the information contained herein is subject to Mini-Circuits’ standard terms of use, which are available at Mini-Circuits’ website at www.minicircuits.com/homepage/terms_of_use.html. Mini-Circuits and the Mini-Circuits logo are registered trademarks of Scientific Components Corporation d/b/a Mini-Circuits. All other third-party trademarks are the property of their respective owners. A reference to any third-party trademark does not constitute or imply any endorsement, affiliation, sponsorship, or recommendation: (i) by Mini-Circuits of such thirdparty’s products, services, processes, or other information; or (ii) by any such third-party of Mini-Circuits or its products, services, processes, or other information AN-70-006 Rev : A (04/15/15) M150261 File: AN70006.doc This document and its contents are the property of Mini-Circuits. Sheet 7 of 7