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

Author

Dai, Yong-sheng ; Fang, Da-Gang ; Guo, Yong-Xin

Author_Institution

Nanjing Univ. of Sci. & Technol.

Volume

17

Issue

1

fYear

2007

Firstpage

61

Lastpage

63

Abstract

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

Keywords

MMIC phase shifters; Schottky gate field effect transistors; attenuators; field effect MMIC; ultra wideband technology; 0.045 to 50 GHz; 0.1 mm; 1.58 mm; 3.68 mm; MESFET; MMIC chips; MMIC design; UWB MMIC variable attenuator; analog monolithic microwave integrated circuit variable attenuator; digital monolithic microwave integrated circuit variable attenuator; low insertion phase shift; metal-semiconductor field-effect transistor; on-wafer measurement; phase compensation techniques; return loss characteristic; ultra-wideband monolithic microwave integrated circuit variable attenuator; Analog integrated circuits; Attenuation; Attenuators; Dynamic range; Field effect MMICs; MESFETs; Microwave FET integrated circuits; Microwave integrated circuits; Monolithic integrated circuits; Ultra wideband technology; Analog variable attenuator; digital variable attenuator; low insertion phase shift; monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC); variable attenuator;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Microwave and Wireless Components Letters, IEEE

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

1531-1309

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/LMWC.2006.887263

Filename

4052366