
Digital step attenuators support 5G frequency demands
The PE43610 and PE43614 DSAs support the entire 9 kHz to 13 GHz and 9 kHz to 45 GHz frequency ranges, respectively. Ideal for 5G test-and-measurement applications, these digital step attenuators boast high-performance capabilities at mmWave frequencies, maintain monotonic response across the entire frequency range and feature high linearity and fast switching time.
“The PE43610 and PE43614 satisfy strong customer interest for packaged high-performance, high-frequency digital step attenuators,” says Sumit Tomar, CEO of pSemi. “With pSemi’s reputation as a high-quality DSA supplier among our customers, we are well-positioned to serve the test and measurement and other markets as an increasing number of applications and devices are implementing 5G and mmWave broadband technologies.”
The PE43610 and PE43614 DSAs cover a 31.5 dB attenuation range in 0.5 dB and 1 dB steps, and they are capable of maintaining 0.5 dB and 1 dB monotonicity throughout their frequency ranges. These DSAs also deliver glitch-safe attenuation state transitions, meaning no increased power spike during a state transition.
Both DSAs have an extended temperature range of −40°C to +105°C, an HBM ESD rating of 1 kV and an easy-to-use digital control interface supporting both parallel and serial addressable programming. These products support 1.8 V control signals and have an optional VSS_EXT bypass mode.

These high-performance DSAs have excellent attenuation accuracy, high linearity and fast switching time. They feature flexible attenuation steps and parallel and serial programming interfaces with serial addressability. The PE43610 and PE43614 are designed for use in test-and-measurement equipment, point-to-point communication systems and very small aperture terminals (VSAT).
The PE43610 and PE43614 are offered in a 24-lead 4- x 4-mm LGA package. Volume-production parts, samples and evaluation kits are available now.
