CMD280C3

®
DC-18 GHz 5-bit Digital Attenuator

Product Overview
The CMD280C3 is a negative controlled, wideband GaAs
MMIC 5-bit digital attenuator housed in a leadless 3x3 mm
surface mount package. Each bit of the attenuator is
controlled by a single voltage of either 0 V or -5 V. The
attenuator bit values are 0.5 (LSB), 1, 2, 4, and 8 dB, for a
total attenuation of 15.5 dB. The CMD280C3 has a low
insertion loss of 3 at 10 GHz and the attenuation accuracy
is typically 0.1 dB step error. The CMD280C3 is a 50 ohm
matched design which eliminates the need for RF port Key Features
matching.
• Wideband Performance
• Low Insertion Loss
Functional Block Diagram • Wide Attenuation Range
• Pb-Free RoHs Compliant 3x3 QFN Package

Ordering Information
Part No. Description
DC-18 GHz 5-bit Digital Attenuator,
CMD280C3
100 Piece 7” Reel
CMD280C3-EVB Evaluation Board

Electrical Performance (Vee = -5 V, Vctl = 0 / -5 V, TA = 25 oC, F = 10 GHz)

Parameter Min Typ Max Units
Frequency Range DC - 18 GHz
Insertion Loss 3 dB
Attenuation Range 15.5 dB
Input Return Loss 15 dB
Output Return Loss 14 dB
Input P0.1dB 24 dBm
Input IP3 42 dBm
Switching Speed 25 ns

Data Sheet Rev. B, June 3, 2022 | Subject to change without notice 1 of 11 www.qorvo.com
 CMD280C3
®
DC-18 GHz 5-bit Digital Attenuator

Absolute Maximum Ratings Recommended Operating Conditions

Parameter Rating Parameter Min Typ Max Units
Bias Voltage, Vee -8 V Vee -5.5 -5 -2.5 V
Control Voltage, Vctl -8 V Electrical performance is measured at specific test conditions.
Electrical specifications are not guaranteed over all recommended
RF Input Power +27 dBm operating conditions.
Thermal resistance, θJC 125.32 °C/W
Operating Temperature -40 to 85 °C
Storage Temperature -55 to 150 °C
Exceeding any one or combination of the maximum ratings may cause
permanent damage to the device.

Truth Table Control Voltage

Control Voltage Input State Bias Condition
Attenuation State High Vee ± 0.3 V
P0 P1 P2 P3 P4 RF1 - RF2 (dB)
0.5 dB 1 dB 2 dB 4 dB 8 dB Low 0 ± 0.3 V

Low Low Low Low Low Reference (insertion loss)

High Low Low Low Low 0.5

Low High Low Low Low 1.0
Low Low High Low Low 2.0
Low Low Low High Low 4.0
Low Low Low Low High 8.0
High High High High High 15.5
Any combination of the above states will result in an attenuation approximately equal to
the sum of the bits selected.

Electrical Specifications (Vee = -5 V, Vctl = 0 / -5 V, TA = 25 °C)

Parameter Min Typ Max Min Typ Max Units
Frequency Range DC - 6 6 - 18 GHz
Insertion Loss 2.2 3 3 4 dB
Attenuation Range 15.5 15.5 dB
Attenuation Accuracy dB
± 0.3 Max ± 0.4 + 8% of Atten. Setting Max
0.5 - 7.5 dB States
± 0.4 + 5% of Atten. Setting Max ± 0.6 + 10% of Atten. Setting Max dB
8 - 15.5 dB States
Input Return Loss 15 13 dB
Output Return Loss 14 13 dB
Input P0.1 dB 24 24 dBm
Input IP3 42 42 dBm
Note: Specification applies to major states

Data Sheet Rev. B, June 3, 2022 | Subject to change without notice 2 of 11 www.qorvo.com
 CMD280C3
®
DC-18 GHz 5-bit Digital Attenuator

Typical Performance

Insertion Loss versus Temperature

0
+25C
-1 +85C
-40C
-2

-3
Loss/dB
Insertion Loss/dB

-4

-5
Insertion

-6

-7

-8

-9

-10
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22

Frequency/GHz
Frequency/GHz

Normalized Attenuation (major states only), TA = 25 oC

0

-2

-4

-6
Attenuation/dB
Attenuation/dB

-8

-10
0.5 dB
1 dB
-12 2 dB
4 dB
-14 8 dB
15.5 dB

-16

-18

-20
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

Frequency/GHz
Frequency/GHz

Data Sheet Rev. B, June 3, 2022 | Subject to change without notice 3 of 11 www.qorvo.com
 CMD280C3
®
DC-18 GHz 5-bit Digital Attenuator

Typical Performance

Input Return Loss (major states only), TA = 25 oC

0
Insertion Loss State
0.5 dB
1 dB
2 dB
-5 4 dB
8 dB
15.5 dB
ReturnLoss/dB
Loss/dB

-10
InputReturn

-15
Input

-20

-25
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

Frequency/GHz
Frequency/GHz

Output Return Loss (major states only), TA = 25 oC

0
Insertion Loss State
0.5 dB
1 dB
2 dB
-5 4 dB
8 dB
Loss/dB

15.5 dB
Loss/dB

-10
Output
Output Return
Return

-15

-20

-25
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

Frequency/GHz
Frequency/GHz

Data Sheet Rev. B, June 3, 2022 | Subject to change without notice 4 of 11 www.qorvo.com
 CMD280C3
®
DC-18 GHz 5-bit Digital Attenuator

Typical Performance

Bit Error versus Frequency, TA = 25 oC

2

0.5 dB
1 dB
2 dB
1.5 4 dB
8 dB
15.5 dB

1
Error/dB
Error/dB

0.5
BitBit

-0.5

-1
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

Frequency/GHz
Frequency/GHz

Relative Phase versus Frequency, TA = 25 oC

30
0.5 dB
25 1 dB
2 dB
4 dB
20 8 dB
15.5 dB

15
Phase/deg
Relative Phase/deg

10

5
Relative

-5

-10

-15

-20
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

Frequency/GHz

Data Sheet Rev. B, June 3, 2022 | Subject to change without notice 5 of 11 www.qorvo.com
 CMD280C3
®
DC-18 GHz 5-bit Digital Attenuator

Typical Performance

Step Attenuation versus Attenuation State, TA = 25 oC

1.4

2 GHz
5 GHz
1.2 10 GHz
15 GHz
18 GHz
1
StepAttenuation/dB
Attenuation/dB

0.8

0.6
Step

0.4

0.2

0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16

Frequency/GHz
Frequency/GHz

Input Power for 0.1 dB Compression (insertion loss state)

35

30

25
P0.1dB/dBm
P0.1dB/dBm

20

15
Input
Input

+25 C

10
-55 C

+85 C
5

0
6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

Frequency/GHz
Frequency/GHz

Data Sheet Rev. B, June 3, 2022 | Subject to change without notice 6 of 11 www.qorvo.com
 CMD280C3
®
DC-18 GHz 5-bit Digital Attenuator

Typical Performance

Input IP3 versus Temperature (insertion loss state)

50

45

40
Input IP3/dBm

35
IP3/dBm

30
Input

25

+25C
20
+85C

-55C
15

10
3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Frequency/GHz
Frequency/GHz

Data Sheet Rev. B, June 3, 2022 | Subject to change without notice 7 of 11 www.qorvo.com
 CMD280C3
®
DC-18 GHz 5-bit Digital Attenuator

Mechanical Information
Package Information and Dimensions

Notes:
1. All dimensions shown in mm.
2. Material: Black alumina
3. Lead finish:
3.1. Ni: 8.89um max 1.27um min
3.2. Pd: 0.17um max, 0.07um min
3.3. Au: 0.254um max, 0.03um min
4. Marking
4.1. Line 1: Part number
4.1.1. Example: CMD280C3 shall be marked as 280
4.2. Line 2: Lot number
4.3. Line 3: Date code – Last 2 digits of the year of manufacture followed by a 2 digit week code
5. Alternate pin #1 identifier is a single square pad
6. Alternate die paddle may have chamfered corners

Recommended PCB Land Pattern

Qorvo recommends that the user develop the land pattern that will provide the best design for proper solder reflow and
device attach for their specific application. Please review Qorvo Application Note AN 105 for a recommended land pattern
approach.

Recommended Solder Reflow Profile

Qorvo recommends screen printing with belt furnace reflow to ensure proper solder reflow and device attach. Please
review Qorvo Application Note AN 102 for a recommended solder reflow profile.

Data Sheet Rev. B, June 3, 2022 | Subject to change without notice 8 of 11 www.qorvo.com
 CMD280C3
®
DC-18 GHz 5-bit Digital Attenuator

Pin Description
Pin Diagram

Vctl

Vgg
4 bit

45 deg
4 dB

Port B

3 bit
Port A

4 dB 45 deg

Vgg
Functional Description

Pin Function Description Schematic

1 2 3 4
1 Vee Vctl Negative
Vdd bias -5 V Vdd Vdd

GND
2, 4, 9, 11 and
Ground Connect to RF / DC ground
die paddle
Vgg Vgg

DC coupled, 50 ohm matched

3, 10 RF1, RF2
External blocking capacitors are required
RF in RF out

No connection required
5-8 N/C These pins may be connected to RF / DC
ground

Vctrl
12 - 16 P4 - P0 Bit control voltages, see truth table for values

Data Sheet Rev. B, June 3, 2022 | Subject to change without notice 9 of 11 www.qorvo.com
 CMD280C3
®
DC-18 GHz 5-bit Digital Attenuator

Applications Information

Evaluation Board
The circuit board shown has been developed for optimized assembly at Qorvo. A sufficient number of via holes should be
used to connect the top and bottom ground planes. As surface mount processes vary, careful process development is
recommended.

Designator Value Description

J1, J2 SMA End Launch Connector

P1 10 Pin Header

C1 0.33 µF Capacitor, Tantalum

C2 1000 pF Capacitor, 0603

C3 100 pF Capacitor, 0402

U1 CMD280C3 DATT

PCB 102089 Evaluation PCB

GaAs MMIC devices are susceptible to damage from Electrostatic Discharge. Proper precautions should be
observed during handling, assembly and test.

Data Sheet Rev. B, June 3, 2022 | Subject to change without notice 10 of 11 www.qorvo.com
 CMD280C3
®
DC-18 GHz 5-bit Digital Attenuator

Handling Precautions
Parameter Rating Standard
ESD – Human Body Model (HBM) Class 1A ESDA / JEDEC JS-001-2012 Caution!
JEDEC standard IPC/JEDEC ESD-Sensitive Device
MSL – Moisture Sensitivity Level Level 1
J-STD-020

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 3, 2022 | Subject to change without notice 11 of 11 www.qorvo.com