Date: 26/06/2012

7-bit digital step attenuator from TriQuint for wideband BTS/RF test applications

TriQuint Semiconductor Inc. has released a new 7-bit digital step attenuator (DSA) ‘TQP4M9083’. The device delivers the insertion loss, speed, linearity and resolution required by designers of base station transceivers and test equipments. The device offers up to 31.75dB of attenuation in 0.25-dB steps and operates from 400 MHz to 3.5 GHz.

The TQP4M9083 utilizes a TTL / CMOS-compatible serial peripheral interface (SPI) controller for changing attenuation states. Switching speed is 118 n/s, input third-order intercept (IIP3) is +55dBm, and insertion loss is 1.5dB at 2 GHz. The attenuator offers upgraded resolution with a 0.25dB step size which is a finer gradation compared to other standard 6-bit DSAs. The device typically offers 0.5dB steps. The product is designed to be robust, meeting Class 1C HBM (up to 2 kV) electrostatic discharge (ESD) requirements.

The solution is offered in a 24-pin, 4 x 4 mm QFN package and is in production. Samples, evaluation boards and software are available.