pSemi announced that the company’s recently released PE43508 digital step attenuator (DSA) is available in production volumes and, based on performance data, the upper frequency has been extended from 50 to 55 GHz.

Jim Cable, pSemi CEO, said, “After additional testing, we concluded the original 50 GHz DSA name was selling this impressive product short. The PE43508 delivers exceptional performance beyond 50 GHz, further supporting pSemi’s claim that RF SOI can deliver a high-performing and reliable solution at high frequencies.”

The 6-bit, 50 Ω DSA is now characterized from 9 kHz to 55 GHz. It provides up to 31.5 dB attenuation in 0.5 and 1 dB steps and maintains 0.5 and 1 dB monotonicity through 55 GHz. The PE43508 delivers glitch-safe attenuation state transitions, meaning no increased power spike during switching between attenuation levels. For optimum high frequency performance, the DSA is offered as a flip-chip die.

For 1,000 quantity orders, each PE43508 is priced at $50. Evaluation kits and samples are available now.

The original 50 GHz design was featured in the October 2018 issue of Microwave Journal.