CMD172

®
18-40 GHz Voltage – Variable Attenuator

Product Overview Key Features

The CMD172 is wideband GaAs MMIC absorptive Voltage- • Ultra Wideband Performance
Variable Attenuator (VVA) die which operates from 18 to 40 • Low Insertion Loss
GHz. The VVA uses a single DC control voltage of -3V to
• Wide Attenuation Range
0V to control RF signal levels over a 37 dB dynamic range.
The CMD172 has an extremely low insertion loss of 1.6 dB • Small Die Size: 1350 um x 1350 um
and is a 50 ohm matched design which eliminates the need
for RF port matching. The CMD172 offers full passivation
for increased reliability and moisture protection.
Ordering Information
Part No. Description
18-40 GHz Voltage - Variable Attenuator,
Functional Block Diagram CMD172
50 Piece Gel Pack

RFIN RFOUT
1 2

4 3
Vctrl2 Vctrl1

Electrical Performance (Vctl = -3.0 V to 0 V, TA = 25 oC, F = 30 GHz)

Parameter Min Typ Max Units
Frequency Range 18 - 40 GHz
Insertion Loss 1.6 dB
Attenuation Range 37 dB
Input Return Loss 12 dB
Output Return Loss 12 dB
Input IP3 25 dBm

Data Sheet Rev. B, June 22, 2022 | Subject to change without notice 1 of 11 www.qorvo.com
 CMD172
®
18-40 GHz Voltage – Variable Attenuator

Absolute Maximum Ratings Recommended Operating Conditions

Parameter Rating Parameter Min Typ Max Units
Control Voltage, Vctl -8 V Vctl -5.0 -3.0 0 V
RF Input Power (at maximum attenuation) +25 dBm Electrical performance is measured at specific test conditions.
Electrical specifications are not guaranteed over all recommended
Operating Temperature -55 to 85 °C operating conditions.
Storage Temperature -55 to 150 °C
Thermal Resistance, θJC (maximum attenuation) 202 °C/W
Exceeding any one or combination of the maximum ratings may cause
permanent damage to the device.

Electrical Specifications (Vctl = -3.0 V to 0 V, TA = 25 oC)

Parameter Min Typ Max Min Typ Max Min Typ Max Units
Frequency Range 18 - 30 30 - 35 35 - 40 GHz
Insertion Loss 1.5 2 1.8 2.5 2.2 3.3 dB
Attenuation Range 33 38 32 37 30 37 dB
Input Return Loss 12 12 10 dB
Output Return Loss 12 12 10 dB
Input IP3 27 24 22 dBm

Data Sheet Rev. B, June 22, 2022 | Subject to change without notice 2 of 11 www.qorvo.com
 CMD172
®
18-40 GHz Voltage – Variable Attenuator

Typical Performance

Attenuation vs. Frequency over Control Voltage, TA = 25 oC

-3.0V
-5
-1.0V
-0.9V
-10 -0.8V
-0.7V
-0.6V
Attenuation/dB

-0.5V
Attenuation/dB

-15
-0.4V
-0.3V
-20 -0.2V
-0.1V
0.0V
-25

-30

-35

-40
15 20 25 30 35 40

Frequency/GHz
Frequency/GHz

Normalized Attenuation vs. Frequency over Control Voltage, T A = 25 oC

0
-3.0V
-1.0V
-5 -0.9V
-0.8V
-0.7V
-10 -0.6V
Attenuation/dB
Normal Attenuation/dB

-0.5V
-0.4V
-15 -0.3V
-0.2V
-0.1V
-20
0V
Normalized

-25

-30

-35

-40
15 20 25 30 35 40

Frequency/GHz
Frequency/GHz

Data Sheet Rev. B, June 22, 2022 | Subject to change without notice 3 of 11 www.qorvo.com
 CMD172
®
18-40 GHz Voltage – Variable Attenuator

Typical Performance

Attenuation over Temperature, Insertion Loss State

-1

-2

-3
Attenuation/dB

+25C
Attenuation/dB

-4 +85C
-55C
-5

-6

-7

-8

-9

-10
15 20 25 30 35 40

Frequency/GHz
Frequency/GHz

Attenuation vs. Control Voltage over Temperature @ 30 GHz

+25C
-5
+85C
-55C
-10
Attenuation/dB
Attenuation/dB

-15

-20

-25

-30

-35

-40
-1 -0.9 -0.8 -0.7 -0.6 -0.5 -0.4 -0.3 -0.2 -0.1 0

Vctrl/Volts
Vctrl/Volts

Data Sheet Rev. B, June 22, 2022 | Subject to change without notice 4 of 11 www.qorvo.com
 CMD172
®
18-40 GHz Voltage – Variable Attenuator

Typical Performance

Return Loss vs. Control Voltage, TA = 25 oC

-3.0V
-1.0V
-5 -0.9V
-0.8V
-0.7V
-0.6V
Loss/dB

-0.5V
Return Loss/dB

-10
-0.4V
-0.3V
-0.2V
Return

-0.1V
-15 0.0V

-20

-25
15 20 25 30 35 40

Frequency/GHz
Frequency/GHz

Input IP3 over Control Voltage

40

35

30
IP3/dBm

25
InputIP3/dBm

20
Input

15
-3.0V
-1.0V
10 -0.8V
-0.6V
-0.4V
5

0
15 20 25 30 35 40

Frequency/GHz
Frequency/GHz

Data Sheet Rev. B, June 22, 2022 | Subject to change without notice 5 of 11 www.qorvo.com
 CMD172
®
18-40 GHz Voltage – Variable Attenuator

Typical Performance

Input P1dB over Control Voltage

30

-3.0V
-1.0V
25 -0.9V
-0.8V
-0.7V
-0.6V
-0.5V
20 -0.4V
InputP1dB/dBm
P1dB/dBm

15
Input

10

0
15 20 25 30 35 40

Frequency/GHz
Frequency/GHz

Data Sheet Rev. B, June 22, 2022 | Subject to change without notice 6 of 11 www.qorvo.com
 CMD172
®
18-40 GHz Voltage – Variable Attenuator

Mechanical Information
Die Outline (all dimensions in microns)

Notes:
1. No connection required for unlabeled pads
2. Backside is RF and DC ground
3. Backside and bond pad metal: Gold
4. Die is 85 microns thick
5. DC bond pads (3, 4) are 100 x 100 microns
6. RF bond pads (1, 2) are 70 x 100 microns

Data Sheet Rev. B, June 22, 2022 | Subject to change without notice 7 of 11 www.qorvo.com
 Vctl

Vgg Vdd
4 bit

CMD172
®
18-40 GHz
Vgg
Voltage
Vdd
– Variable Attenuator
Vdd
4 bit

0.01 uF
Pad Description
2 Vdd
4 dB
45 deg
3
Port B
RF in
Pad 1Diagram 4 RF out
0.01 uF
Vdd 5 3 bit
45 deg Port A
6 4 dB
0.01 uF
7
Port B 4 dB Vctl
45 deg
4 RF out
Vgg 3 bit
100 pF 0.01 uF
Port A
.01 uF
4 dB 45 deg Vgg Vdd

Vgg
1 uF

1 2 3 4 bit Vgg Vdd 4 5 Vdd

Vg

Vctl Vdd 1 Vdd 2 Vdd

1 2 3 4 GND
5 Vgg

Vdd Vdd 4 3 Vdd GB

Vgg Vgg Vctl

45 deg RF in
GND
4 dB

Port B GB

Functional Vgg
Description Vgg Vctl
RF in RF out
3 bit LO RF
Pad Function Description Schematic
Port A LFT3

LFT4

1 RF in 4 dB
DC blocked and 50 ohm matched 45 deg RF in
RF in RF out
LO RF
IF

2 RF out DC blocked and 50 ohm matched RF out

Vctl
IF

Vctrl1
3 Vctrl1 Control voltage 1 Vctrl2

1 Vctl
2 3 Vee

Vctrl1
Vctl Vdd Vdd Vctrl2
4 Vctrl2 Control voltage 2

GND

Backside Ground Connect to RF / DC ground

Vgg Vgg

RF in RF out

Data Sheet Rev. B, June 22, 2022 | Subject to change without notice 8 of 11 www.qorvo.com
 CMD172
®
18-40 GHz Voltage – Variable Attenuator

Applications Information

Assembly Guidelines
The backside of the CMD172 is RF ground. Die attach should be accomplished with electrically and thermally conductive
epoxy only. Eutectic attach is not recommended. Standard assembly procedures should be followed for high frequency
devices. The top surface of the semiconductor should be made planar to the adjacent RF transmission lines, and the RF
decoupling capacitors placed in close proximity to the DC connections on chip.

RF connections should be made as short as possible to reduce the inductive effect of the bond wire. Use of a 0.8 mil
thermosonic wedge bonding is highly recommended as the loop height will be minimized. The RF input and output require
a single bond wire as shown.

The semiconductor is 85 um thick and should be handled by the sides of the die or with a custom collet. Do not make
contact directly with the die surface as this will damage the monolithic circuitry. Handle with care.

Assembly Diagram

RF in RF out

100 pF BYPASS CAP

(example: Presidio part
LSA1515B101M2H5R-L)
to Vctrl

GaAs MMIC devices are susceptible to damage from Electrostatic Discharge.

Proper precautions should be observed during handling, assembly and test.
1.

Data Sheet Rev. B, June 22, 2022 | Subject to change without notice 9 of 11 www.qorvo.com
 CMD172
®
18-40 GHz Voltage – Variable Attenuator

Applications Information

Biasing and Operation

The CMD172 has two control voltages (Vctrl1 and Vctrl2) that should be connected together. Full attenuation range is
achieved when Vctrl is varied from -3 V to 0 V.

RF power can be applied at any time.

Data Sheet Rev. B, June 22, 2022 | Subject to change without notice 10 of 11 www.qorvo.com
 CMD172
®
18-40 GHz Voltage – Variable Attenuator

Handling Precautions
Parameter Rating Standard
Caution!
ESD – Human Body Model (HBM) Class 1A ESDA / JEDEC JS-001-2012 ESD-Sensitive Device

RoHS Compliance
This part is compliant with 2011/65/EU RoHS directive (Restrictions on the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in
Electrical and Electronic Equipment) as amended by Directive 2015/863/EU.

This product also has the following attributes:

• Lead Free
• Antimony Free
• TBBP-A (C15H12Br402) Free
• SVHC Free
• Halogen Free
• PFOS Free

Contact Information
For the latest specifications, additional product information, worldwide sales and distribution locations:
Web: www.qorvo.com
Tel: 1-844-890-8163
Email: [email protected]

Important Notice
The information contained in this Data Sheet and any associated documents (“Data Sheet Information”) is believed to be
reliable; however, Qorvo makes no warranties regarding the Data Sheet Information and assumes no responsibility or
liability whatsoever for the use of said information. All Data Sheet Information is subject to change without notice.
Customers should obtain and verify the latest relevant Data Sheet Information before placing orders for Qorvo ® products.
Data Sheet Information or the use thereof does not grant, explicitly, implicitly or otherwise any rights or licenses to any
third party with respect to patents or any other intellectual property whether with regard to such Data Sheet Information
itself or anything described by such information.

DATA SHEET INFORMATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A WARRANTY WITH RESPECT TO THE PRODUCTS
DESCRIBED HEREIN, AND QORVO HEREBY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL WARRANTIES WITH RESPECT TO SUCH
PRODUCTS WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED BY LAW, COURSE OF DEALING, COURSE OF PERFORMANCE,
USAGE OF TRADE OR OTHERWISE, INCLUDING THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Qorvo® products are not
warranted or authorized for use as critical components in medical, life-saving, or life-sustaining applications, or other
applications where a failure would reasonably be expected to cause severe personal injury or death. Applications
described in the Data Sheet Information are for illustrative purposes only. Customers are responsible for validating that a
particular product described in the Data Sheet Information is suitable for use in a particular application.

© 2022 Qorvo US, Inc. All rights reserved. This document is subject to copyright laws in various jurisdictions worldwide
and may not be reproduced or distributed, in whole or in part, without the express written consent of Qorvo US, Inc. |
QORVO® is a registered trademark of Qorvo US, Inc.

Data Sheet Rev. B, June 22, 2022 | Subject to change without notice 11 of 11 www.qorvo.com