HMC281 MICROWAVE CORPORATION GaAs MMIC LOW NOISE AMPLIFIER 18 - 32 GHz FEBRUARY 2001 V02.0500 Features General Description EXCELLENT NOISE FIGURE: 2.5 dB The HMC281 chip is a three stage GaAs MMIC Low Noise Amplifier (LNA) which covers the frequency range of 18 to 32 GHz. The chip can easily be integrated into Multi-Chip Modules (MCMs) due to its small (1.62 mm2) size. The chip utilizes a GaAs PHEMT process offering 22 dB gain from a bias supply of +3.5V @ 60mA with a noise figure of 2.5 dB. This LNA can be used in millimeterwave point-to-point radios, LMDS, VSAT, and other SATCOM applications. All data is with the chip in a 50 ohm test fixture connected via ribbon bonds of minimal length. The HMC281 may be used in conjunction with HMC143, HMC203, HMC258, HMC264, or HMC265 mixers to realize a microwave or millimeterwave system receiver. 1 WIDEBAND PERFORMANCE: 18 - 32 GHz SMALL SIZE: 0.97 mm x 1.67 mm DIE AMPLIFIERS STABLE GAIN vs. TEMPERATURE: 22 dB ± 2 dB Guaranteed Performance, Parameter Vdd = +3.5V*, Idd = 60mA, -55 to +85 deg C Min. Frequency Range Typ. Max. Min. 18 - 24 Gain 17 22 15 Typ. Max. Units 24 - 32 GHz 20 dB ±1 dB Gain Flatness (Any 1Ghz BW) ±1 Noise Figure 2.5 Input Return Loss 13 6 dB Output Return Loss 10 7 dB Reverse Isolation 4 3.2 4.7 dB 40 45 42 52 dB Output Power for 1dB Compression (P1dB) 5 9 6 10 dB m Saturated Output Power (Psat) 8 12 8.5 12 dB m Output Third Order Intercept (IP3) 17 22 20 25 dB m 3.25 3.5 3.25 3.5 Supply Voltage (Vdd1, 2, 3) Gate Bias Voltage (Vg1 & Vg2, 3) 3.75 -0.25 Supply Current (Idd) (Vdd = +3.5V, Vgg = -0.15V Typ.) 60 3.75 -0.25 100 60 V dc V dc 100 mA * Vdd = Vd1, 2, 3 connected to +3.5V , adjust Vgg = Vg1, 2, 3 between-2.0 to +0.4V to achieve Idd =60 mA typical. 12 Elizabeth Drive, Chelmsford, MA 01824 1 - 54 Phone: 978-250-3343 Fax: 978-250-3373 Web Site: www.hittite.com HMC281 MICROWAVE CORPORATION HMC281 LOW NOISE AMPLIFIER 18 - 32 GHz FEBRUARY 2001 V02.0500 Noise Figure vs. Temperature Gain vs. Temperature 8 30 7 +85 C NOISE FIGURE (dB) 26 GAIN (dB) 24 22 20 18 16 +25 C 14 +85 C 5 4 3 2 1 0 10 10 15 20 25 30 35 15 40 20 25 30 35 FREQUENCY (GHz) DIE FREQUENCY (GHz) Output Match Input Match 0 0 -2 -2 OUTPUT RETURN LOSS (dB) INPUT RETURN LOSS (dB) +25 C -55 C -55 C 12 1 6 AMPLIFIERS 28 -4 -6 -8 -10 -12 -14 -16 -4 -6 -8 -10 -12 -14 -16 -18 -18 -20 -20 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 FREQUENCY (GHz) FREQUENCY (GHz) All data is with the chip in a 50 ohm test fixture connected via ribbon bonds of minimal length. 12 Elizabeth Drive, Chelmsford, MA 01824 Phone: 978-250-3343 Fax: 978-250-3373 Web Site: www.hittite.com 1 - 55 HMC281 MICROWAVE CORPORATION HMC281 LOW NOISE AMPLIFIER 18 - 32 GHz V02.0500 FEBRUARY 2001 Isolation IP3 Output @ Vdd = +3V 0 35 -55 C -10 30 -20 IP3 (dBm) ISOLATION (dB) AMPLIFIERS 1 -30 -40 25 20 +25 C -50 +85 C 15 -60 -70 10 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 10 15 DIE FREQUENCY (GHz) 20 25 30 35 40 FREQUENCY (GHz) P1dB Output @ Vdd = +3V 16 14 -55 C P1dB (dBm) 12 10 8 +25 C 6 +85 C 4 2 0 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 FREQUENCY (GHz) All data is with the chip in a 50 ohm test fixture connected via ribbon bonds of minimal length. 12 Elizabeth Drive, Chelmsford, MA 01824 1 - 56 Phone: 978-250-3343 Fax: 978-250-3373 Web Site: www.hittite.com HMC281 MICROWAVE CORPORATION HMC281 LOW NOISE AMPLIFIER 18 - 32 GHz V02.0500 FEBRUARY 2001 Absolute Maximum Ratings Vdd = Vd1, 2, 3 RF OUT Vg1 Vg2, 3 +5 Vdc 120 mA -2 to +0.4V DC Gate Current (mA) 4 mA Input Power (RFin) (Vdd=+3V) -5 dBm Channel Temperature (Tc) 175 °C Thermal Resistance Backside is Ground Outline 1 Supply Current (Idd) Gate Bias Voltage (Vgg) ( jc) 74 °C/W (Channel Backside) Storage Temperature -65 to +150 °C Operating Temperature -55 to +85 °C DIE RF IN Supply Voltage (Vdd) AMPLIFIERS Schematic Vd1, 2, 3 RF out HMC281 RF in Vg2, 3 Vg1 ALL DIMENSION IN MILLIMETERS (INCHES) ALL TOLERANCES ARE ±0.025 (0.001) DIE THICKNESS IS 0.100 (0.004) BACKSIDE IS GROUND BOND PADS ARE 0.100 (0.004) SQUARE BACKSIDE METALLIZATION : GOLD BOND PAD METALLIZATION : GOLD 12 Elizabeth Drive, Chelmsford, MA 01824 Phone: 978-250-3343 Fax: 978-250-3373 Web Site: www.hittite.com 1 - 57 HMC281 MICROWAVE CORPORATION HMC281 LOW NOISE AMPLIFIER 18 - 32 GHz FEBRUARY 2001 V02.0500 DIE AMPLIFIERS 1 Mounting & Bonding Techniques for Millimeterwave GaAs MMICs The die should be attached directly to the ground plane eutectically or with conductive epoxy (see HMC general Handling, Mounting, Bonding Note). 50 Ohm Microstrip transmission lines on 0.127mm (5 mil) thick alumina thin film substrates are recommended for bringing RF to and from the chip (Figure 1). If 0.254mm (10 mil) thick alumina thin film substrates must be used, the die should be raised 0.150mm (6 mils) so that the surface of the die is coplanar with the surface of the substrate. One way to accomplish this is to attach the 0.102mm (4 mil) thick die to a 0.150mm (6 mil) thick molybdenum heat spreader (molytab) which is then attached to the ground plane (Figure 2). Microstrip substrates should brought as close to the die as possible in order to minimize bond length. Typical die-to-substrate spacing is 0.076mm (3 mils). Gold ribbon of 0.076 mm x 0.013 mm (3mil x 0.5 mil) is recommended to minimize inductance on the RF ports. 0.025 mm (1 mil) diameter ball or wedge bonds are acceptable for DC bias connections. RF bypass capacitors should be used on the Vdd & Vgg inputs. 100 pF single layer capacitors (mounted eutectically or by conductive epoxy) placed no further than 0.762mm (30 Mils) from the chip are recommended. 12 Elizabeth Drive, Chelmsford, MA 01824 1 - 58 Phone: 978-250-3343 Fax: 978-250-3373 Web Site: www.hittite.com HMC281 MICROWAVE CORPORATION HMC281 LOW NOISE AMPLIFIER 18 - 32 GHz FEBRUARY 2001 V02.0500 Handling Precautions DIE Mounting The chip is back-metallized and can be die mounted with AuSn eutectic preforms or with electrically conductive epoxy. The mounting surface should be clean and flat. Eutectic Die Attach: A 80/20 gold tin preform is recommended with a work surface temperature of 255 deg. C and a tool temperature of 265 deg. C. When hot 90/10 nitrogen/hydrogen gas is applied, tool tip temperature should be 290 deg. C. DO NOT expose the chip to a temperature greater than 320 deg. C for more than 20 seconds. No more than 3 seconds of scrubbing should be required for attachment. Epoxy Die Attach: Apply a minimum amount of epoxy to the mounting surface so that a thin epoxy fillet is observed around the perimeter of the chip once it is placed into position. Cure epoxy per the manufacturer's schedule. Wire Bonding Ball or wedge bond with 0.025 mm (1 mil) diameter pure gold wire (DC bias) or ribbon bond (RF ports) with 0.076 mm x 0.013 mm (3 mil x 0.5 mil) size is recommended. Thermosonic wirebonding with a nominal stage temperature of 150 deg. C and a ball bonding force of 40 to 50 grams or wedge bonding force of 18 to 22 grams is recommended. Use the minimum level of ultrasonic energy to achieve reliable wirebonds. Wirebonds should be started on the chip and terminated on the package or substrate. All bonds should be as short as possible <0.31 mm (12 mils). 12 Elizabeth Drive, Chelmsford, MA 01824 Phone: 978-250-3343 Fax: 978-250-3373 1 AMPLIFIERS Follow these precautions to avoid permanent damage. Cleanliness: Handle the chips in a clean environment. DO NOT attempt to clean the chip using liquid cleaning systems. Static Sensitivity: Follow ESD precautions to protect against ESD strikes ( see page 8 - 2 ). Transients: Suppress instrument and bias supply transients while bias is applied. Use shielded signal and bias cables to minimize inductive pick-up. General Handling: Handle the chip along the edges with a vacuum collet or with a sharp pair of bent tweezers. The surface of the chip has fragile air bridges and should not be touched with vacuum collet, tweezers, or fingers. Web Site: www.hittite.com 1 - 59