A Novel UWB (0.045-50 GHz) Digital/Analog Compatible MMIC Variable Attenuator With Low Insertion Phase Shift and Large Dynamic Range

• Published in: IEEE microwave and wireless components letters 2007-01, Vol.17 (1), p.61-63
• Main Authors: DAI, Yong-Sheng, FANG, Da-Gang, GUO, Yong-Xin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analog integrated circuits; Analog variable attenuator; Applied sciences; Attenuation; Attenuators; Chips; Circuit properties; Digital; digital variable attenuator; Dynamic range; Electric, optical and optoelectronic circuits; Electronics; Exact sciences and technology; Field effect MMICs; Insertion; low insertion phase shift; MESFETs; Microwave circuits, microwave integrated circuits, microwave transmission lines, submillimeter wave circuits; Microwave FET integrated circuits; Microwave integrated circuits; Monolithic integrated circuits; monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC); Phase shift; Ultra wideband technology; variable attenuator
• ISSN: 1531-1309; 2771-957X; 1558-1764; 2771-9588
• DOI: 10.1109/LMWC.2006.887263

A novel ultra-wideband (0.045-50-GHz) digital and analog compatible monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) variable attenuator with a low insertion phase shift and large dynamic range is presented. Based on our special design of both the series metal-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MESFET) and shunt MESFET control feeders, the MMIC possesses the feature of excellent return loss characteristic. Also, phase compensation techniques were used in the MMIC design to reduce the insertion phase shift when the attenuation varies. On-wafer measurement results of the developed MMIC chips in the 0.045-50-GHz band are minimum attenuation 2.0-4.0dB, and maximum attenuation >70dB, input and output VSWRles1.8 for all attenuation states; low maximum insertion phase shift of 0.86lesplusmndeg within 70-dB attenuation range. The chip size is 3.68mm times 1.58mm times 0.1mm