Application Note
AN3001
PIN diode Vector Modulators -
Fundamentals and Drive Requirements
Introduction
M/A-COM’s
Chip Scale Package
(CSP) vector
modulator platform offers a means of varying
attenuation and phase in a single surface mount
package. These vector modulators offer linear
phase and minimal amplitude ripple in their bands of
operation. Due to using PIN diodes as the active
devices, these vector modulators have high intercept
points. These vector modulators operate in tandem
with a dual linearizer, MADRCC0002 that has been
developed by M/A-COM.
•
Rev. V4
Case 2. If the diodes in the top VVA are set to
an impedance of 50 ohms, the top VVA will be
in a high loss state. The output of the bottom
VVA will have a phase of -90° or 90°, depend-
ing on the impedance of the terminating di-
odes. See the “B” or “/B” labels.
Case 3. If the output of the top VVA has a
phase of 0° with a magnitude of 1, and the out-
put of the bottom VVA has a phase of 90° with
a magnitude of 1, the resultant vector will have
a magnitude of 1.414 (square root of 2) at an
angle of 45°.
•
Basic Vector Modulator Operation
The block diagram for the vector modulator is given
in Figure 1. The vector modulator consists of four
elements: an input quadrature hybrid, two voltage
variable attenuators (four-port quadrature hybrids
with both outputs terminated in PIN diodes), and an
output power combiner.
One of the keys to understanding how vector
modulators work is to understand that there is a
phase shift of 180° when the impedance of the
diodes (for a single VVA) crosses 50 ohms. For
diode impedance of greater than 50 ohms, there is
no phase change when the signal reflects off of the
diodes. This can also be noted on the Smith Chart.
Note that when the impedance of the diodes is less
than 50 ohms, there is no phase shift. The following
will describe the vectors in three cases. See Figure
2 for additional insight into how single vectors pass
through the vector modulator.
•
Case 1. If the diodes in the bottom VVA are set
to an impedance of 50 ohms, the bottom VVA
will be in a high loss state. The output of the top
VVA will have a phase of 0° or 180°, depending
on the impedance of the terminating diodes.
See the “A” or “/A” labels.
Definition of RF Parameters
It is helpful to define some of the parameters used
to specify the electrical performance of a vector
modulator, so that the specifications are clearly
understood. Note that this type of vector modulator
is designed to have continuous phase shift over
360°.
Reference Loss: This is the minimum loss where
all phases from 0° to 360° are available. This is
measured at the center frequency of the specified
band.
Attenuation Range: This is the attenuation (relative
to the reference loss), where the performance of
the vector modulator is defined. For example, if a
vector modulator has an attenuation range of 10
dB, and a reference loss of 12 dB, the vector
modulator will operate over an absolute loss range
between 12 and 22 dB. Note that in the case of
SA90-0001, the vector modulator has a higher at-
tenuation range than the specified range, but the
attenuation is difficult to control, and the phase line-
arity and amplitude ripple start to degrade.
Frequency Band (MHz)
925 - 960
1930 - 1990
2040 - 2240
Band
GSM
PCS
UMTS
Model Number
MAMDCC0005
MAMDCC0002
SA90-0001
Model Number of Prototype with Driver
MAMDCC0005-DC000
MAMDCC0002-DC000
SA90-0001-DC000
Availability
Q2 2002
In Stock
In Stock
Table 1. Selection Guide for Vector Modulator
1
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•
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Tel: 800.366.2266 •
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Tel: +353.21.244.6400
•
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Tel: +91.80.4155721
•
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M/A-COM Technology Solutions Inc. and its affiliates reserve the right to make
changes to the product(s) or information contained herein without notice.
Application Note
AN3001
PIN diode Vector Modulators -
Fundamentals and Drive Requirements
A
0°
180°
A
B
90°
B
Rev. V4
-90°
1
1
1* 2
Figure 1. Block Diagram
Amplitude Ripple: This is one half of the peak-to-peak
ripple in the specified frequency band. For example, if
the minimum loss is 11.8 dB, and the maximum loss
is 12.2 dB, the peak to peak ripple is 0.4 dB, so the
Amplitude Ripple would be 0.2 dB.
Deviation from Linear Phase: This is a test to see
how linear the phase of the vector modulator is. To
find Deviation from Linear Phase, a line that best
approximates the measured data points by using the
method of least squares must be found.
The
deviation from linear phase is the difference between
the calculated and measured line.
Figure 2. Summation of Vectors
The four outer curves are found by sweeping the bi-
ases as follows:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Set Bias2 to 0.0V. Sweep Bias1 from 0.0 to 5.0V
in 0.1V increments.
Keep Bias1 at 5.0V. Sweep Bias2 from 0.0 to
5.0V in 0.1V increments.
Keep Bias2 at 5.0V. Sweep Bias1 from 5.0 to
0.0V in 0.1V increments.
Keep Bias1 at 0.0V. Sweep Bias2 from 5.0 to
0.0V in 0.1V increments.
Drive Requirements for a Vector Modulator
Driving a vector modulator requires a solid
understanding of the transfer function from the Bias1
and Bias2 inputs to the amplitude and phase change
of the vector modulator. It should be noted that vector
modulators are driven by current, due to the PIN
diode construction. The following description will
focus on how PIN diode vector modulators are driven
by dual linearizers. A chart of the drive characteristics
when driven by current will also be provided.
M/A-COM has designed a dual linearizer,
MADRCC0002, so that the amplitude and phase of
the vector modulators is linearized relative to the
control voltages at the inputs of the linearizer. See
the circuit in Figure 3 for the schematic of
MADRCC0002 driving the SA90-0001 vector
modulator. This same schematic also holds when
driving the MAMDCC0002 and MAMDCC0005 vector
modulators.
The first step is to determine the reference loss of the
vector modulator. See Figure 4, which provides the
transfer function of the test.
2
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The circle that is tangent to the inside of the plot is the
reference loss circle, which is about 12 dB in this ex-
ample. Note that the plots in Figures 4 and 5 are the
same, but the lines of different bias voltages were
removed to clarify the curves that are used to find
reference loss. Figures 5 and 6 use the same axes
and scales. The tick marks on the axes are reflection
coefficients in steps of 0.1. The equation that calcu-
lates loss from reflection coefficient is:
Mag = 10^(loss_in_dB/20)
Figure 5 provides a plot of insertion loss (in magni-
tude) and phase as the control inputs are varied in
0.5V increments from 0.0V to 5.0V. This gives a good
representation of the loss and phase. However, it
should be noted that this plot will vary lot to lot. The
primary reason for the variation is that the resistance
vs. current of PIN diodes had some lot to lot variation.
Both graphs in Figure 5 have the same data. Due to
the number of labels, the plot was repeated to ensure
legibility.
Figure 6 is similar to Figure 5, but is a plot of insertion
loss (in magnitude) and phase vs. control current.
•
North America
Tel: 800.366.2266 •
Europe
Tel: +353.21.244.6400
•
India
Tel: +91.80.4155721
•
China
Tel: +86.21.2407.1588
M/A-COM Technology Solutions Inc. and its affiliates reserve the right to make
changes to the product(s) or information contained herein without notice.
Application Note
AN3001
PIN diode Vector Modulators -
Fundamentals and Drive Requirements
PCB Design Guidelines
Rev. V4
The outline drawing for the vector modulator is provided in Figure 7. The recommended PC board layout is pro-
vided in Figure 8. Note that the topology of the bias components on the layout is similar to the topology of bias
components on the schematic. It is important to have the inductors as close to the vector modulator as possible.
If the inductors are rotated around the Smith chart, they will look like capacitors, and will not provide the high
impedance to the RF signal. If the RF signal is not blocked, there can be coupling between the output ports of
the 90° hybrids, which will degrade the performance of the vector modulator. The capacitors should be centered
between the inductors and as close as possible to the inductors, as shown in the PC board layout.
The paddle (base) of the package is grounded to optimize the RF performance of the vector modulator. A chip
scale package (CSP) was used to minimize the amount of PC board space that the end user would require.
There are two RF connections (RF IN and RF OUT) and four bias connections. All of the other connections are
ground. RF IN and RF OUT should be connected to 50 ohm transmission lines. It is preferred to select the PC
board material so that the RF lines are less than 20 mils wide to minimize coupling from the RF lines to the bias
circuit. The lines in the bias circuit should be approximately 6 mils wide to minimize cross coupling.
The recommended solder for mounting surface mount packages is Sn63 (63% Sn, 37% Pb) because it is a
eutectic compound with a melting point (183ºC) high enough to exceed the standard operating limit of the de-
vices, but low enough to avoid damaging internal circuitry during proper solder reflow operations.
Figure 3. Schematic of Dual Linearizer Driving Vector Modulator
3
Visit www.macomtech.com for additional data sheets and product information.
•
North America
Tel: 800.366.2266 •
Europe
Tel: +353.21.244.6400
•
India
Tel: +91.80.4155721
•
China
Tel: +86.21.2407.1588
M/A-COM Technology Solutions Inc. and its affiliates reserve the right to make
changes to the product(s) or information contained herein without notice.
Application Note
AN3001
PIN diode Vector Modulators -
Fundamentals and Drive Requirements
Model Number
MAMDCC0005
MAMDCC0002
SA90-0001
Rev. V4
Description of
L1 - L4
Inductor, 68 nH, ± 5%
Inductor, 27 nH, ± 5%
Inductor, 27 nH, ± 5%
Frequency Range
(MHz)
925 - 960 (GSM)
1930 - 1990 (PCS)
2040 - 2240 (UMTS)
Coilcraft
P/N L1 - L4
0603CS-68NXJBC
0603CS-27NXJBC
0603CS-27NXJBC
Resistor Thermistor
Quality
Values
Values
Thermistor
R2, R6
R3, R7
P/N for R3, R7
270 Ohms
360 Ohms
270 Ohms
750 Ohms
680 Ohms
750 Ohms
QT0805-751K
QT0805-681K
QT0805-751K
Table 2. Selection Table for Bias Inductors
Bias1 = 0.0V
Bias2 = 5.0V
Bias2 = 0.0V
Bias1 = 5.0V
Figure 4. Transfer Function of Test to Determine Reference Loss
4
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•
North America
Tel: 800.366.2266 •
Europe
Tel: +353.21.244.6400
•
India
Tel: +91.80.4155721
•
China
Tel: +86.21.2407.1588
M/A-COM Technology Solutions Inc. and its affiliates reserve the right to make
changes to the product(s) or information contained herein without notice.
Application Note
AN3001
PIN diode Vector Modulators -
Fundamentals and Drive Requirements
(y)
90°
Rev. V4
45°
bias 1 = 0.0V
0.5V
1.0V
bias 2 = 5.0V
3.5V
3.0V
2.5V
2.0V
1.5V
1.0V
0.5V
bias 2 = 0.0V
(x)
0°
1.5V
2.0V
2.5V
3.0V
3.5V
bias 1 = 5.0V
bias 1 = 0V
bias 2 = +5V
bias 1 = 0V
bias 2 = 0V
(y)
90°
45°
Loss = 22 dB
Loss = 17 dB
Loss = 12 dB
(x)
0°
bias 1 = +5V
bias 2 = +5V
bias 1 = +5V
bias 2 = 0V
Reflection
coefficient = 0.5
1. Tic marks on x,y axes refer to reflection coefficient in increments of 0.1V Reflection coefficients vary from –0.5 to +0.5 on both
the x and y axes.
2. Data is for vector modulators driven by linearizers per attached schematic.
3. Inputs to the linearizers vary from 0 to 5V.
4. The phase with the inputs to both linearizers set to +5V is arbitrarily called zero degrees.
Figure 5. Phase and Attenuation of MAMDCC0006, Vector Modulator Linearized with
MADRCC0002 Linearizer
5
Visit www.macomtech.com for additional data sheets and product information.
•
North America
Tel: 800.366.2266 •
Europe
Tel: +353.21.244.6400
•
India
Tel: +91.80.4155721
•
China
Tel: +86.21.2407.1588
M/A-COM Technology Solutions Inc. and its affiliates reserve the right to make
changes to the product(s) or information contained herein without notice.
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