50MHz to 4000MHz Dual Analog Voltage Variable Attenuator with On-Chip 10-Bit SPI-Controlled DAC

The MAX19791 dual general-purpose analog voltage variable attenuator (VVA) is designed to interface with 50Ω systems operating in the 50MHz to 4000MHz frequency range. The device includes a patented control circuit that provides 23dB of attenuation range (per attenuator) with a typical linear control slope of 8dB/V.

Both attenuators share a common analog control and can be cascaded together to yield 46dB of total attenuation range with a typical combined linear control slope of 16dB/V (5V operation).

Alternatively, the on-chip 4-wire SPI-controlled 10-bit DAC can be used to control both attenuators. In addition, a step-up/down feature allows user-programmable attenuator stepping through command pulses without reprogramming the SPI interface.

The MAX19791 is a monolithic device designed using one of Maxim's proprietary SiGe BiCMOS processes. The part operates from a single +5V supply or alternatively from a single +3.3V supply. It is available in a compact 36-pin TQFN package (6mm x 6mm x 0.8mm) with an exposed pad. Electrical performance is guaranteed over the -40°C to +100°C extended temperature range.

Applications

* Automatic Level Control (ALC) * Broadband System Applications, Including Wireless Infrastructure Digital and Spread-Spectrum Communication Systems * General Test Equipment * Lineup Gain Trim * Microwave Point-to-Point Systems * Receiver Gain Control * Temperature-Compensation Circuits * Transmitter Gain Control * VSAT/Satellite Modems * WCDMA/LTE, TD-SCDMA/TD-LTE, WiMAX®, cdma2000®, GSM/EDGE, and MMDS Base Stations

* Wideband Coverage

* 50MHz to 4000MHz RF Frequency Range

* High Linearity

* Greater Than +37.4dBm IIP3 Over the Full Attenuation Range

* +22.6dBm Input P1dB

* Integrates Two Analog Attenuators in One Monolithic Device

* Two Convenient Control Options

* Single Analog Voltage

* On-Chip SPI-Controlled 10-Bit DAC

* Step-Up/Down Pulse Command Inputs

* Flexible Attenuation Control Ranges

* 23dB (Per Attenuator)

* 46dB (Both Attenuators Cascaded)

* Linear dB/V Analog Control Response Curve Simplifies Automatic Leveling Control and Gain-Trim Algorithms

* Excellent Attenuation Flatness Over Wide Frequency Ranges and Attenuation Settings

* On-Chip Comparator (for Successive Approximation Measurement of Attenuator Control Voltage)

* Low 13mA Supply Current

* Single 5V or 3.3V Supply Voltage

* Pin-Compatible with the MAX19792 and MAX19793

* Pin-Compatible with the MAX19794 with Addition of Two Shunt Capacitors

* PCB-Compatible with the MAX19790

* Lead(Pb)-Free Package