HMC-VVD106 v01.0209 ATTENUATORS - ANALOG - CHIP 1 GaAs PIN MMIC VOLTAGE-VARIABLE ATTENUATOR, 36 - 50 GHz Typical Applications Features This HMC-VVD106 is ideal for: Low Insertion Loss: 1.5 dB • Short Haul / High Capacity Radios Wide Dynamic Range: 22 dB • Automotive Radar Balanced Topology • Test Equipment High Input IP3: +17 dBm • SATCOM Analog Control Voltage: 0 to +4V • Military Die Size: 1.47 x 1.5 x 0.1 mm • Point-to-Point Radios • Point to Multi-Point Radios General Description Functional Diagram The HMC-VVD106 is a monolithic GaAs PIN diode based Voltage Variable Attenuator (VVA) which exhibits low insertion loss, high IP3, and wide dynamic range. The balanced topology delivers excellent return loss while the single control voltage can be applied to either side of the die. All bond pads and the die backside are Ti/Au metallized, and the PIN diode devices are fully passivated for reliable operation. This wideband VVA MMIC is compatible with conventional die attach methods, as well as thermocompression and thermosonic wirebonding, making it ideal for MCM and hybrid microcircuit applications. All data shown herein is measured on chip in a 50 Ohm environment and contacted with RF probes. Electrical Specifi cations, TA = +25 °C, 50 Ohm System Parameter Min. Frequency Range Typ. Insertion Loss 1.5 Attenuation Range 21 Return Loss 15 IM3 @ Pin = 0 dBm / Tone Max. 36 - 50 GHz 2 30 *Unless otherwise indicated, all measurements are from probed die 1 - 40 Units 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 dB dB dB dBc HMC-VVD106 v01.0209 GaAs PIN MMIC VOLTAGE-VARIABLE ATTENUATOR, 36 - 50 GHz -0.5 -22 LOSS (dB) -1 -1.5 -24 -26 -2 -28 -2.5 -30 -3 36 38 40 42 44 46 48 36 50 38 40 Return Loss vs. Frequency @ Minimum Attenuation 44 46 48 50 Return Loss vs. Frequency @ Maximum Attenuation 0 0 Input (dB) Output (dB) Input (dB) Output (dB) -5 RETURN LOSS (dB) -5 -10 -15 -20 -25 -10 -15 -20 -25 -30 -30 36 38 40 42 44 46 48 50 36 38 40 FREQUENCY (GHz) 42 44 46 48 50 FREQUENCY (GHz) IM3 vs. Vdd @ 38.5 GHz 70 60 50 IM3 (dBc) RETURN LOSS (dB) 42 FREQUENCY (GHz) FREQUENCY (GHz) ATTENUATORS - ANALOG - CHIP -20 0 LOSS (dB) 1 Maximum Attenuation vs. Frequency Minimum Attenuation vs. Frequency 40 30 20 10 0 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 Vdd (V) 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 1 - 41 HMC-VVD106 v01.0209 GaAs PIN MMIC VOLTAGE-VARIABLE ATTENUATOR, 36 - 50 GHz ATTENUATORS - ANALOG - CHIP 1 Absolute Maximum Ratings Control Voltage Range (Vdd) -6V to +6V Vdc Storage Temperature -65 to +150 °C Operating Temperature -55 to +85 °C Bias Current (Idd) 20 mA ELECTROSTATIC SENSITIVE DEVICE OBSERVE HANDLING PRECAUTIONS Outline Drawing Die Packaging Information [1] NOTES: 1. ALL DIMENSIONS ARE IN INCHES [MM]. 2. TYPICAL BOND PAD IS .004” SQUARE. Standard Alternate GP-2 (Gel Pack) [2] [1] Refer to the “Packaging Information” section for die packaging dimensions. [2] For alternate packaging information contact Hittite Microwave Corporation. 1 - 42 3. BACKSIDE METALLIZATION: GOLD. 4. BACKSIDE METAL IS GROUND. 5. BOND PAD METALLIZATION: GOLD. 6. CONNECTION NOT REQUIRED FOR UNLABELED BOND PADS. 7. OVERALL DIE SIZE ±.002” 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 HMC-VVD106 v01.0209 GaAs PIN MMIC VOLTAGE-VARIABLE ATTENUATOR, 36 - 50 GHz 1 Pad Descriptions Function Pad Description 1 RFIN This pin is DC blocked and matched to 50 Ohms. 2, 4 Vdd Control Input. 3 RFOUT This pin is DC blocked and matched to 50 Ohms. Die Bottom GND Die bottom must be connected to RF/DC ground. Interface Schematic 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 ATTENUATORS - ANALOG - CHIP Pad Number 1 - 43 HMC-VVD106 v01.0209 GaAs PIN MMIC VOLTAGE-VARIABLE ATTENUATOR, 36 - 50 GHz Assembly Diagram ATTENUATORS - ANALOG - CHIP 1 Note 1: Bypass caps should be 100 pF (approximately) ceramic (single-layer) placed no farther than 30 mils from the attenuator. Note 2: Best performance obtained from use of <10 mil (long) by 1.5 by 0.5mil ribbons on input and output. Note 3: Part can be biased from either side. 1 - 44 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 HMC-VVD106 v01.0209 GaAs PIN MMIC VOLTAGE-VARIABLE ATTENUATOR, 36 - 50 GHz 1 Mounting & Bonding Techniques for Millimeterwave GaAs MMICs 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 (moly-tab) which is then attached to the ground plane (Figure 2). 0.102mm (0.004”) Thick GaAs MMIC Wire Bond 0.076mm (0.003”) RF Ground Plane Microstrip substrates should be placed as close to the die as possible in order to minimize bond wire length. Typical die-to-substrate spacing is 0.076mm to 0.152 mm (3 to 6 mils). 0.127mm (0.005”) Thick Alumina Thin Film Substrate Figure 1. Handling Precautions Follow these precautions to avoid permanent damage. Storage: All bare die are placed in either Waffle or Gel based ESD protective containers, and then sealed in an ESD protective bag for shipment. Once the sealed ESD protective bag has been opened, all die should be stored in a dry nitrogen environment. Cleanliness: Handle the chips in a clean environment. DO NOT attempt to clean the chip using liquid cleaning systems. Static Sensitivity: strikes. 0.102mm (0.004”) Thick GaAs MMIC Wire Bond 0.076mm (0.003”) RF Ground Plane Follow ESD precautions to protect against ESD Transients: Suppress instrument and bias supply transients while bias is applied. Use shielded signal and bias cables to minimize inductive pick-up. 0.150mm (0.005”) Thick Moly Tab 0.254mm (0.010”) Thick Alumina Thin Film Substrate ATTENUATORS - ANALOG - CHIP The die should be attached directly to the ground plane eutectically or with conductive epoxy (see HMC general Handling, Mounting, Bonding Note). Figure 2. 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. 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 °C and a tool temperature of 265 °C. When hot 90/10 nitrogen/hydrogen gas is applied, tool tip temperature should be 290 °C. DO NOT expose the chip to a temperature greater than 320 °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 RF bonds made with 0.003” x 0.0005” ribbon are recommended. These bonds should be thermosonically bonded with a force of 40-60 grams. DC bonds of 0.001” (0.025 mm) diameter, thermosonically bonded, are recommended. Ball bonds should be made with a force of 40-50 grams and wedge bonds at 18-22 grams. All bonds should be made with a nominal stage temperature of 150 °C. A minimum amount of ultrasonic energy should be applied to achieve reliable bonds. All bonds should be as short as possible, less than 12 mils (0.31 mm). 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 1 - 45