Microwave Journal
www.microwavejournal.com/articles/16891-hittite-launches-new-spdt-switch-and-5-bit-mmic-attenuators

Hittite launches new SPDT switch and 5-bit MMIC attenuators

MMICS & More

February 6, 2012

Hittite Microwave Corp., a supplier of complete MMIC-based solutions for communication and military markets, has introduced a new single pole double throw (SPDT) switch and two new serial controlled 5-bit digital attenuator MMICs, which are ideal for automotive, microwave radio, test equipment, military and space applications up to 50 GHz.

The HMC1018LP4E and HMC1019LP4E are serial controlled GaAs MMIC 5-bit digital attenuators that are rated from 0.1 to 30 GHz. The HMC1018LP4E can be programmed to provide up to 31 dB attenuation in 1.0 dB steps, while the HMC1019LP4E provides up to 15.5 dB attenuation in 0.5 dB steps. These new products exhibit insertion loss as low as 4 dB, excellent attenuation accuracy of ± 0.3 dB and input IP3 up to +45 dBm. Both are housed in 4 x 4 mm QFN packages, and offer a versatile control interface accepting positive control voltages from 0/+2 to 0/+5 V. These 5-bit digital attenuators are also available with parallel control as the HMC939LP4E and HMC941LP4E, and in bare die form as the HMC939 and HMC941.

Also released is the HMC986 wideband GaAs pHEMT MMIC SPDT switch die. This miniature switch is controlled with two complementary inputs of 0/-3 to 0/-5 V, and can be switched as fast as 10 ns. With an input frequency of 40 GHz, the HMC986 exhibits 20 dB return loss, 31 dB isolation and only 1.9 dB insertion loss. The combination of wideband performance and fast switching speed make this switch ideal for a wide range of test equipment, switching matrix and electronic warfare applications.

These new products complement Hittite’s extensive line of control components, including the widest selection of MMIC digital attenuators and switches available from any OEM.