Announcing Our New Digital Attenuator Product Line from DC-40 GHz

We are excited to launch a new product line of GaAs Digital Step Attenuators (DSA).

The DSA family is intended to ease the design of high dynamic range receivers and instrumentation. These applications often must accomplish gain control of 50dB or more. Fine step DSAs (e.g., 0.5dB Least Significant Bit [LSB]) are often used for these applications. However, when a large attenuation change is needed, it is more efficient to use a lower bit count coarse (e.g., 2, 4 or even 8 dB LSB) step DSA MMIC as these parts offer lower insertion loss and fewer control lines for easier design implementation.

The table below summarizes the eight new products are now available covering up to 40GHz, with 0.5, 2 and 4dB step size options. Die and QFN packaged versions are available. The CMD281, CMD282, CMD281C3 and CMD282C3 represent initial offerings for coarse control 2 bit DSAs with 2 and 4 dB step control. The CMD279, CMD280, CMD279C3 and CMD280C3 are the more traditional 0.5dB step control devices with 15.5dB range (5 bit). All devices are single control line per bit.

Part #	Frequency (GHz)	Number of Bits	Insert. Loss (dB)	Attn. Range (dB)	Step Size (dB)	Input IP3 (dBm)	Control Voltage (V)	Package
CMD282	DC - 40	2	1.5	12	4	42	0 / -5	Die
CMD281	DC - 40	2	1.2	6	2	42	0 / -5	Die
CMD280	DC - 30	5	3	15.5	0.5	42	0 / -5	Die
CMD281C3	DC - 22	2	1.5	6	2	42	0 / -5	3x3 mm QFN
CMD282C3	DC - 22	2	1.9	12	4	42	0 / -5	3x3 mm QFN
CMD280C3	DC - 18	5	3	15.5	0.5	42	0 / +5	3x3 mm QFN
CMD279C3	2 - 18	5	3.5	15.5	0.5	42	0 / +5	3x3 mm QFN
CMD279	2 - 30	5	3.5	15.5	0.5	42	0 / +5	Die

Breakthrough Ultra Low Noise Amplifier Has 0.6 dB Noise Figure and Covers 2-6 GHz Frequency Range

We're proud to announce that we've recently released a new GaAs Low Noise Amplifier (LNA) MMIC with broadband noise figure performance previously only achievable with discrete FET designs. The CMD283C3, with 0.6dB noise figure, is the first in a family of new Ultra Low Noise Amplifiers.

The CMD283C3 LNA covers 2-6 GHz with high midband gain of 27 dB and output P1dB of 16dBm. The MMIC is housed in a leadless 3x3 mm surface mount package. It operates from a bias supply of +2 to +5 volts and draws a nominal 42mA. The CMD283C3 is ideally suited for S and C band receivers requiring excellent sensitivity, and as a replacement for discrete FET LNA solutions.

Continuing the Rapid Expansion of Our Product Portfolio with New Low Noise Amplifier and Phase Shifter MMICs

We are excited to announce that we are continuing to add to our extensive LNA and Phase Shifter MMIC portfolio with the CMD270P3 and CMD174.

The CMD270P3 is a C Band, 4-8 GHz low noise amplifier housed in a leadless 3x3 mm plastic surface mount package. The LNA delivers greater than 16 dB of gain with a corresponding output 1 dB compression point of +18 dBm and a noise figure of 1.7 dB. The CMD270P3 is a 50 ohm matched design eliminating the need for external DC blocks and RF port matching.

The CMD270P3 is ideally suited for EW and communications receivers where high performance, small size and low power consumption are needed. It can also be used as an alternative to CMD185P3, based on pin and performance compatibility.

The CMD174 die is a GaAs MMIC 5-bit phase shifter that operates from 3 to 6 GHz and provides 0 to 360 degrees of monotonic phase coverage, with a LSB of 11.25 degrees. The device is controlled with negative logic of 0 and -3 V and features an insertion loss of 7.6 dB and a phase error of ± 2 degrees. The CMD174 is a 50 ohm matched design.

The CMD174 is ideally suited for phased array radar applications.