M/A-COM Technology Solutions has introduced a 1bit digital attenuator for CATV (cable TV) and STB (set-top box) front end applications. The MAAD-010305 is a 15dB step GaAs (gallium arsenide) MMIC (monolithic microwave IC) digital attenuator. The attenuator is designed to condition cable input signals to the STB. The attenuator is suitable for intermodulation products.
The attenuator has 0.3dB insertion loss, 15dB attenuation, 14dB input and output return loss, 46dBm input IP3, and 20dBm P1dB. It also features 70dB, relative to the carrier, CTB (composite triple beat) and 66dB, relative to the carrier, CSO (composite second order) with 157 channels and 35dBmV/channel PIN, and 20mV transients.
The attenuator is fabricated as a monolithic GaAs IC using a mature pHEMT (pseudomorphic high electron mobility transistor) process. The process features full chip passivation for performance and reliability, claims the company. The attenuator operates from DC to 1.1GHz. It is available in an RoHS-compliant, lead-free SOT-25, five-lead surface mount plastic package. The attenuator is claimed to be characterised by low insertion loss and allows for positive and negative voltage control, complimented by 75Ω impedance.
