Low Error Ku-Band 5-Bit Digital Attenuator MMIC

A 5-bit digital attenuator MMIC covering 11-13.5GHz Ku-band frequencies have been designed, fabricated and tested. Double recess 0.25 m GaAs/InGaAs/AIGaAs pHEMT process is used for realizing this low phase error (> 1.6 deg RMS) attenuator. It is highly accurate and shows exceptional high yield of performance. The measured dynamic range is 15.5 dB with input and output return loss of 18dB. The measured compression point at 12.5GHz is +17dBm. The chip measures 9 mm ² .