MIMIX XA1000

DC-18.0 GHz GaAs MMIC
5-Bit Digital Attenuator
A1000
April 2006 - Rev 24-Apr-06
Features
5-Bit Attenuator
27.9 dB Attenuation Range
24 dBm P1dB Input Compression
0.9 dB LSB
Digital Control (0.0 to 3.3 V)
100% On-Wafer RF, DC and Noise Figure Testing
100% Visual Inspection to MIL-STD-883
Method 2010
General Description
Mimix Broadband’s DC- 18.0 GHz attenuator has an
LSB value of 0.9 dB and is controlled with 5 digital
binary inputs, which meet the LVCMOS specifications.
The 2.4 x 1.6 mm2 device uses a single supply voltage
of -7.5 V. This MMIC uses Mimix Broadband’s 0.5 µm
GaAs PHEMT device model technology, and is based
upon optical gate lithography to ensure high
repeatability and uniformity. The chip has surface
passivation to protect and provide a rugged part with
backside via holes and gold metallization to allow
either a conductive epoxy or eutectic solder die
attach process. This device is well suited for radar and
applications.
Chip Device Layout
Absolute Maximum Ratings
Supply Voltage (Vss)
Supply Current (Iss)
Input Power (Pin)
Storage Temperature (Tstg)
Operating Temperature (Ta)
Channel Temperature (Tch)
-10.0 VDC
10.0 mA
30.0 dBm
-65 to +165 OC
-55 to MTTF Table 3
MTTF Table 3
(3) Channel temperature affects a device's MTBF. It is
recommended to keep channel temperature as low as
possible for maximum life.
Electrical Characteristics (Ambient Temperature T = 25 oC)
Parameter
Frequency Range (f )
Attenuation Range
Insertion Loss @ 10 GHz (S21), Reference Level
Input Return Loss (S11), All States
Output Return Loss (S22), All States
Input Power at 1 dB Compression (P1dB)
RMS Attenuation Error
Max Attenuation Error
RMS Phase Error
Max Phase Error
Phase Variation @ 10 GHz
Switching Speed
Vss
Iss
Vcontrol High
Vcontrol Low
Units
GHz
dB
dB
dB
dB
dBm
dB
dB
deg
deg
deg
nS
VDC
mA
V
V
Min.
DC
24.0
3.3
0
Typ.
27.9
5.5
17.0
15.0
25.0
<0.5
<1
<10
<20
15
-7.5
9
Mimix Broadband, Inc., 10795 Rockley Rd., Houston, Texas 77099
Tel: 281.988.4600 Fax: 281.988.4615 mimixbroadband.com
Max.
18.0
45.0
5
0.8
Page 1 of 6
Characteristic Data and Specifications are subject to change without notice. ©2006 Mimix Broadband, Inc.
Export of this item may require appropriate export licensing from the U.S. Government. In purchasing these parts, U.S. Domestic customers accept
their obligation to be compliant with U.S. Export Laws.
DC-18.0 GHz GaAs MMIC
5-Bit Digital Attenuator
A1000
April 2006 - Rev 24-Apr-06
Attenuator Measurements
Insertion Loss - Reference State
Attenuation - All States
10
35
9
30
S 21 reference state [dB]
8
Attenuation [dB]
7
6
5
4
3
25
20
15
10
2
5
1
0
0
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
0
2
4
6
Frequency [GHz]
10
12
14
16
18
12
14
16
18
Output Return Loss - All States
0
0
-5
-5
-10
-10
S 22 [dB]
S 11 [dB]
Input Return Loss - All States
-15
-15
-20
-20
-25
-25
-30
-30
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
0
2
4
6
Frequency [GHz]
8
10
Frequency [GHz]
Attenuation Error vs State
Attenuation Error
3
3
1
0
-1
-2
RMS
MAX
2.5
Attenuation error [dB]
f=0.2 GHz
f=1 GHz
f=10 GHz
2
Attenuation error [dB]
8
Frequency [GHz]
2
1.5
1
0.5
-3
0
0
2
4
6
8
10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32
Attenuation State
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
Frequency [GHz]
Mimix Broadband, Inc., 10795 Rockley Rd., Houston, Texas 77099
Tel: 281.988.4600 Fax: 281.988.4615 mimixbroadband.com
Page 2 of 6
Characteristic Data and Specifications are subject to change without notice. ©2006 Mimix Broadband, Inc.
Export of this item may require appropriate export licensing from the U.S. Government. In purchasing these parts, U.S. Domestic customers accept
their obligation to be compliant with U.S. Export Laws.
DC-18.0 GHz GaAs MMIC
5-Bit Digital Attenuator
A1000
April 2006 - Rev 24-Apr-06
Attenuator Measurements (cont.)
Phase Error
Phase Error - All States
20
30
18
16
RMS Phase Error [°]
Phase Error [°]
20
10
0
-10
14
12
10
8
6
RMS
MAX
4
-20
2
0
-30
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
0
18
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
3
RMS attenuation error [dB]
9
S 21 reference state [dB]
18
RMS Attenuation Error vs Temp
Insertion Loss vs Temp - Reference State
10
8
7
6
5
4
3
T=25°C
T=60°C
T=95°C
2
1
T=25°C
T=60°C
T=95°C
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
2
18
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
Frequency [GHz]
Frequency [GHz]
Attenuation Error at 10 GHz vs Temp
RMS Phase Error vs Temp
3
20
T=25°C
T=60°C
T=95°C
16
T=25°C
T=60°C
T=95°C
2
Attenuation error [dB]
18
RMS Phase Error [°]
16
Frequency [GHz]
Frequency [GHz]
14
12
10
8
6
4
1
0
-1
-2
2
-3
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
Frequency [GHz]
14
16
18
0
2
4
6
8
10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32
Attenuation State
Mimix Broadband, Inc., 10795 Rockley Rd., Houston, Texas 77099
Tel: 281.988.4600 Fax: 281.988.4615 mimixbroadband.com
Page 3 of 6
Characteristic Data and Specifications are subject to change without notice. ©2006 Mimix Broadband, Inc.
Export of this item may require appropriate export licensing from the U.S. Government. In purchasing these parts, U.S. Domestic customers accept
their obligation to be compliant with U.S. Export Laws.
DC-18.0 GHz GaAs MMIC
5-Bit Digital Attenuator
A1000
April 2006 - Rev 24-Apr-06
Attenuator Measurements (cont.)
Relative Phase vs Input Power @ 10 GHz - Major States
5
4
4
3
3
Relative phase, S21 [°]
Relative Attenuation, S21 [dB]
Relative Attenuation vs Input Power @ 10 GHz - Major States
5
2
1
0
-1
-2
-3
-4
2
1
0
-1
-2
-3
-4
-5
-5
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
24
26
0
Pin [dBm]
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
Pin [dBm]
16
18
20
22
24
Logic Truth Table - Major States
Attenuation
Level (dB)
0
0.9
1.8
3.6
7.2
14.4
27.9
I1
I2
I3
I4
I5
0
1
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
Mimix Broadband, Inc., 10795 Rockley Rd., Houston, Texas 77099
Tel: 281.988.4600 Fax: 281.988.4615 mimixbroadband.com
Page 4 of 6
Characteristic Data and Specifications are subject to change without notice. ©2006 Mimix Broadband, Inc.
Export of this item may require appropriate export licensing from the U.S. Government. In purchasing these parts, U.S. Domestic customers accept
their obligation to be compliant with U.S. Export Laws.
26
DC-18.0 GHz GaAs MMIC
5-Bit Digital Attenuator
A1000
April 2006 - Rev 24-Apr-06
Mechanical Drawing
0.947
1.347
1.747
(0.037) (0.053) (0.069)
0.747
1.147
1.547
(0.029) (0.045) (0.061)
1.550
(0.061)
2
0.858
(0.034)
3
4
5
6
7
0.858
(0.034)
8
1
0.0
0.0
2.376
(0.094)
(Note: Engineering designator is I0005359)
Units: millimeters (inches) Bond pad dimensions are shown to center of bond pad.
Thickness: 0.110 +/- 0.010 (0.0043 +/- 0.0004), Backside is ground, Bond Pad/Backside Metallization: Gold
All Bond Pads are 0.100 x 0.100 (0.004 x 0.004).
Bond pad centers are approximately 0.109 (0.004) from the edge of the chip.
Dicing tolerance: +/- 0.005 (+/- 0.0002). Approximate weight: 2.28 mg.
Bond Pad #1 (RF In)
Bond Pad #2 (Input 1)
Bond Pad #3 (Input 2)
Bond Pad #4 (Input 3)
Bond Pad #5 (Vss)
Bond Pad #6 (Input 4)
Bond Pad #7 (Input 5)
Bond Pad #8 (RF Out)
Bias Arrangement
Bypass Capacitors - See App Note [2]
Mimix Broadband, Inc., 10795 Rockley Rd., Houston, Texas 77099
Tel: 281.988.4600 Fax: 281.988.4615 mimixbroadband.com
Page 5 of 6
Characteristic Data and Specifications are subject to change without notice. ©2006 Mimix Broadband, Inc.
Export of this item may require appropriate export licensing from the U.S. Government. In purchasing these parts, U.S. Domestic customers accept
their obligation to be compliant with U.S. Export Laws.
DC-18.0 GHz GaAs MMIC
5-Bit Digital Attenuator
April 2006 - Rev 24-Apr-06
Handling and Assembly Information
A1000
CAUTION! - Mimix Broadband MMIC Products contain gallium arsenide (GaAs) which can be hazardous to the
human body and the environment. For safety, observe the following procedures:
Do not ingest.
Do not alter the form of this product into a gas, powder, or liquid through burning, crushing, or chemical
processing as these by-products are dangerous to the human body if inhaled, ingested, or swallowed.
Observe government laws and company regulations when discarding this product. This product must be
discarded in accordance with methods specified by applicable hazardous waste procedures.
Life Support Policy - Mimix Broadband's products are not authorized for use as critical components in life support
devices or systems without the express written approval of the President and General Counsel of Mimix
Broadband. As used herein: (1) Life support devices or systems are devices or systems which, (a) are intended for
surgical implant into the body, or (b) support or sustain life, and whose failure to perform when properly used in
accordance with instructions for use provided in the labeling, can be reasonably expected to result in a
significant injury to the user. (2) A critical component is any component of a life support device or system whose
failure to perform can be reasonably expected to cause the failure of the life support device or system, or to
affect its safety or effectiveness.
ESD - Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) devices are susceptible to electrostatic and mechanical damage. Die are supplied
in antistatic containers, which should be opened in cleanroom conditions at an appropriately grounded antistatic workstation. Devices need careful handling using correctly designed collets, vacuum pickups or, with care,
sharp tweezers.
Die Attachment - GaAs Products from Mimix Broadband are 0.100 mm (0.004") thick and have vias through to the
backside to enable grounding to the circuit. Microstrip substrates should be brought as close to the die as
possible. The mounting surface should be clean and flat. If using conductive epoxy, recommended epoxies are
Ablestick 84-1LMI or 84-1LMIT cured in a nitrogen atmosphere per manufacturer's cure schedule. Apply epoxy
sparingly to avoid getting any on to the top surface of the die. An epoxy fillet should be visible around the total
die periphery. If eutectic mounting is preferred, then a fluxless gold-tin (AuSn) preform, approximately 0.001 2
thick, placed between the die and the attachment surface should be used. A die bonder that utilizes a heated
collet and provides scrubbing action to ensure total wetting to prevent void formation in a nitrogen atmosphere
is recommended. The gold-tin eutectic (80% Au 20% Sn) has a melting point of approximately 280 C (Note: Gold
Germanium should be avoided). The work station temperature should be 310 C +- 10 C. Exposure to these
extreme temperatures should be kept to minimum. The collet should be heated, and the die pre-heated to avoid
excessive thermal shock. Avoidance of air bridges and force impact are critical during placement.
Wire Bonding - Windows in the surface passivation above the bond pads are provided to allow wire bonding to
the die's gold bond pads. The recommended wire bonding procedure uses 0.076 mm x 0.013 mm (0.003" x
0.0005") 99.99% pure gold ribbon with 0.5-2% elongation to minimize RF port bond inductance. Gold 0.025 mm
(0.001") diameter wedge or ball bonds are acceptable for DC Bias connections. Aluminum wire should be
avoided. Thermo-compression bonding is recommended though thermosonic bonding may be used providing
the ultrasonic content of the bond is minimized. Bond force, time and ultrasonics are all critical parameters.
Bonds should be made from the bond pads on the die to the package or substrate. All bonds should be as short
as possible.
Mimix Broadband, Inc., 10795 Rockley Rd., Houston, Texas 77099
Tel: 281.988.4600 Fax: 281.988.4615 mimixbroadband.com
Page 6 of 6
Characteristic Data and Specifications are subject to change without notice. ©2006 Mimix Broadband, Inc.
Export of this item may require appropriate export licensing from the U.S. Government. In purchasing these parts, U.S. Domestic customers accept
their obligation to be compliant with U.S. Export Laws.