User Guide | EVAL-ADRF5717
UG-2171
Evaluation of the ADRF5717 Silicon Digital Attenuator, 2-Bit, 1 MHz to 30 GHz

FEATURES► Full featured evaluation board for the ADRF5717

ADRF5717-EVALZ EVALUATION BOARD
PHOTOGRAPH► Easy connection to test equipment► Additional through line for calibration

EQUIPMENT NEEDED► DC power supplies► Network analyzer

GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The ADRF5717 is a 2-bit digital attenuator with 48 dB attenuation
range manufactured in the silicon on insulator (SOI) process.
This user guide describes the ADRF5717-EVALZ evaluation board,which is designed to simply evaluate the features and performanceof the ADRF5717. A photograph of the evaluation board is shown inFigure 1.

Figure 1. ADRF5717-EVALZ Evaluation Board PhotographFor full details on the ADRF5715, see the ADRF5715 data sheet,
which should be consulted in conjunction with this user guide whenusing the ADRF5717-EVALZ.

PLEASE SEE THE LAST PAGE FOR AN IMPORTANT
WARNING AND LEGAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Features................................................................ 1
Equipment Needed................................................1General Description...............................................1
ADRF5717-EVALZ Evaluation Board Photograph 1
Evaluation Board Hardware...................................3Overview............................................................ 3
Board Layout...................................................... 3
Power Supply and Control Inputs.......................3RF Inputs and Outputs ...................................... 3
Test Procedure...................................................... 4
Biasing Sequence.............................................. 4
Expected Results............................................... 5Evaluation Board Schematic and Artwork............. 6
Ordering Information..............................................7
Bill of Materials................................................... 7

REVISION HISTORY
12/2023—Revision 0: Initial Version

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EVALUATION BOARD HARDWAREOVERVIEW

POWER SUPPLY AND CONTROL INPUTSThe ADRF5717-EVALZ is a connectorized board, assembled with
the ADRF5717 and its application circuitry. All components areplaced on the primary side of ADRF5717-EVALZ. An assembly
drawing for the ADRF5717-EVALZ is shown in Figure 8, and anevaluation board schematic is shown in Figure 7.

The ADRF5717-EVALZ has two power-supply inputs, three control
inputs, and a ground, as shown in Table 1. The DC test points are
populated on VDD, VSS, D5, D6, LE, and GND. A +3.3 V supply isconnected to the DC test points on VDD, and the −3.3 V supply isconnected to the DC test points on VSS. Ground reference can beconnected to GND. Connect D5, D6, and LE to 3.3 V or 0 V. The
typical total current consumption for the ADRF5717 is 0.73 mA.

BOARD LAYOUT
The ADRF5717-EVALZ is designed using RF circuit design techniques on a 4-layer printed circuit board (PCB). The PCB stack-up isshown in Figure 2.

The VDD and VSS supply pins and control pins of the ADRF5717
are decoupled with 100 pF capacitor.
Table 1. Power Supply and Control Inputs
Test Point

Description

VDD
VSS
D5
D6LE
GND

+3.3 V supply voltage−3.3 V supply voltage
Control Input 1
Control Input 2
Latch enable
GroundRF INPUTS AND OUTPUTSFigure 2. Evaluation Board Stack-Up

The outer copper layers are 1.5 oz (2.2 mil) thick and the innerlayers are 0.5 oz (0.7 mil) thick.
The top dielectric material is 12 mil Rogers 4003, which provides 50
Ω controlled impedance and optimizes the high frequency performance. All RF traces are routed on the top layer, and the second
layer is used as the ground plane for RF transmission lines. The
remaining two layers are also ground planes filled with FR4 material
to manage the thermal rise during high power operations andare supported with dense and filled vias to the PCB bottom forthermal relief. The overall board thickness is approximately 62 milfor mechanical strength.

The ADRF5717-EVALZ has four edge-mounted, 2.92 mm connectors for the RF inputs and outputs, as shown in Table 2.
Table 2. RF Inputs and Outputs
SMA Connector

Description

ATTIN
ATTOUT
THRU1
THRU2

Attenuator input
Attenuator output
Thru line input and output
Thru line input and output

The ADRF5717-EVALZ is shipped together with a thru line thatcalibrates out the board loss effects from the measurements determining the device performance at the pins of the IC.

The RF transmission lines are designed using a coplanar waveguide (CPWG) model with a width of 16 mil and ground spacingof 6 mil to have a characteristic impedance of 50 Ω. Ground
via fences are arranged on both sides of the CPWG to improveisolation between nearby RF lines and other signal lines.
The exposed ground pad of the ADRF5717, which is solderedon the PCB ground pad, is the main thermal conduit for heatdissipation. The PCB ground pad is densely populated with filled,
through vias to provide the lowest possible thermal resistance pathfrom the top to the bottom of the PCB. The connections from thepackage ground leads to ground are kept as short as possible.

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TEST PROCEDURE
BIASING SEQUENCE
To bias up the ADRF5717-EVALZ, perform the following steps:
1. Ground the GND test point.
2. Bias up the VDD test point.
3. Bias up the VSS test point.
4. Bias up the D5, D6, and LE test points.
5. Apply an RF input signal.
The ADRF5717-EVALZ is shipped fully assembled and tested.
Figure 3 provides a basic test setup diagram to evaluate thes-parameters using a network analyzer. Perform the following steps
to complete the test setup and to verify the operation of theADRF5717-EVALZ:
1. Connect the GND test point to the ground terminal of the power
supply.
2. Connect the VDD test point to the voltage output terminal of the
3.3 V supply.
3. Connect the VSS test point to the voltage output terminal ofthe −3.3 V supply. Note that the current from VDD test point isaround 230 μA and from VSS test point is around 500 μA.
4. Connect the V1, V2, EN, and LS test points to the voltage
output terminal of the 3.3 V supply. The ADRF5717 can be
configured in different modes by connecting the control testpoints to 3.3 V or 0 V, as shown in Table 3.
5. Connect a calibrated network analyzer to the ATTIN and ATTOUT 2.92 mm connectors. If the network analyzer port count is
not enough, terminate unused RF ports with 50 Ω. Sweep thefrequency from 1 MHz to 30 GHz and set the power to 10 dBm.
6. The ADRF5717-EVALZ is expected to have an insertion loss of
2.8 dB at 30 GHz. See the expected results in Figure 4.

Additional test equipment is needed to fully evaluate the device
functions and performance.
For third-order intercept point evaluation, use two signal generators
and a spectrum analyzer. A high isolation power combiner is also
recommended.
For power compression and power handling evaluations, use a 2channel power meter and a signal generator. A high enough power
amplifier is also recommended at the input. Test accessories, suchas couplers and attenuators, must have enough power handling.
Note that the measurements performed at the 2.92 mm connectorsof the ADRF5717-EVALZ include the losses of the 2.92 mm connectors and the PCB. The thru line must be measured to calibrateout the effects on the ADRF5717-EVALZ. The thru line is thesummation of an RF input line and an RF output line that areconnected to the device and equal in length.

Figure 3. Test Setup Diagram

Table 3. Control Voltage Truth Table
D5D6

Attenuation State (dB)

LowHigh
Low
High

Low
Low
HighHigh0163248

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TEST PROCEDURE
EXPECTED RESULTS

Figure 4. Insertion Loss for RFC to RFx On vs. Frequency

Figure 6. Output Return Loss vs. Frequency

Figure 5. Input Return Loss vs. Frequency

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EVALUATION BOARD SCHEMATIC AND ARTWORK

Figure 7. ADRF5717-EVALZ Evaluation Board Schematic

Figure 8. ADRF5717-EVALZ Evaluation Board Assembly Diagram

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ORDERING INFORMATIONBILL OF MATERIALS
Table 4. Bill of Materials for ADRF5717-EVALZ
Quantity

Reference Designator

Description

Manufacturer

Part Number

232
1

C1 and C2
R1, R2, and R6
ATTIN and ATTOUT
D5Capacitors, 100 pF, 50 V, C0402 package
Resistors, 0 Ω, 1/16 W, R0402 package
Edge-mount 2.92 mm connectors
Surface-mount test point

GCM1555C1H101JA16D
RC0402JR-070RL
HK-LR-SR2(12)TP-105-40-03

5

VDD, VSS, D6, GND, and LE

Surface-mount test points

11U1
PCB

Silicon digital attenuator, 2-bit, 1 MHz to 30 GHz
ADRF5717 evaluation board

MurataHirose Electronic Co.
Hirose Electronic Co.
Components
CorporationComponents
Corporation
Analog Devices, Inc.
Analog Devices

TP-104-01-0X
ADRF5717
ADRF5717-EVALZESD Caution
ESD (electrostatic discharge) sensitive device. Charged devices and circuit boards can discharge without detection. Although this product features patented or proprietary
protection circuitry, damage may occur on devices subjected to high energy ESD. Therefore, proper ESD precautions should be taken to avoid performance degradation or loss offunctionality.
Legal Terms and Conditions
By using the evaluation board discussed herein (together with any tools, components documentation or support materials, the “Evaluation Board”), you are agreeing to be bound by the terms andconditions set forth below (“Agreement”) unless you have purchased the Evaluation Board, in which case the Analog Devices Standard Terms and Conditions of Sale shall govern. Do not use theEvaluation Board until you have read and agreed to the Agreement. Your use of the Evaluation Board shall signify your acceptance of the Agreement. This Agreement is made by and between you(“Customer”) and Analog Devices, Inc. (“ADI”), with its principal place of business at Subject to the terms and conditions of the Agreement, ADI hereby grants to Customer a free, limited, personal,temporary, non-exclusive, non-sublicensable, non-transferable license to use the Evaluation Board FOR EVALUATION PURPOSES ONLY. Customer understands and agrees that the Evaluation
Board is provided for the sole and exclusive purpose referenced above, and agrees not to use the Evaluation Board for any other purpose. Furthermore, the license granted is expressly madesubject to the following additional limitations: Customer shall not (i) rent, lease, display, sell, transfer, assign, sublicense, or distribute the Evaluation Board; and (ii) permit any Third Party to accessthe Evaluation Board. As used herein, the term “Third Party” includes any entity other than ADI, Customer, their employees, affiliates and in-house consultants. The Evaluation Board is NOT soldto Customer; all rights not expressly granted herein, including ownership of the Evaluation Board, are reserved by ADI. CONFIDENTIALITY. This Agreement and the Evaluation Board shall all beconsidered the confidential and proprietary information of ADI. Customer may not disclose or transfer any portion of the Evaluation Board to any other party for any reason. Upon discontinuationof use of the Evaluation Board or termination of this Agreement, Customer agrees to promptly return the Evaluation Board to ADI. ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS. Customer may not disassemble,
decompile or reverse engineer chips on the Evaluation Board. Customer shall inform ADI of any occurred damages or any modifications or alterations it makes to the Evaluation Board, including
but not limited to soldering or any other activity that affects the material content of the Evaluation Board. Modifications to the Evaluation Board must comply with applicable law, including butnot limited to the RoHS Directive. TERMINATION. ADI may terminate this Agreement at any time upon giving written notice to Customer. Customer agrees to return to ADI the Evaluation Board
at that time. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. THE EVALUATION BOARD PROVIDED HEREUNDER IS PROVIDED “AS IS” AND ADI MAKES NO WARRANTIES OR REPRESENTATIONS OF ANY
KIND WITH RESPECT TO IT. ADI SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ANY REPRESENTATIONS, ENDORSEMENTS, GUARANTEES, OR WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, RELATED TO THEEVALUATION BOARD INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, TITLE, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR NONINFRINGEMENT OFINTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS. IN NO EVENT WILL ADI AND ITS LICENSORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, INDIRECT, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES RESULTINGFROM CUSTOMER’S POSSESSION OR USE OF THE EVALUATION BOARD, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LOST PROFITS, DELAY COSTS, LABOR COSTS OR LOSS OF GOODWILL.
ADI’S TOTAL LIABILITY FROM ANY AND ALL CAUSES SHALL BE LIMITED TO THE AMOUNT OF ONE HUNDRED US DOLLARS ($100.00). EXPORT. Customer agrees that it will not directly or
indirectly export the Evaluation Board to another country, and that it will comply with all applicable United States federal laws and regulations relating to exports. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement
shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the substantive laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (excluding conflict of law rules). Any legal action regarding this Agreement willbe heard in the state or federal courts having jurisdiction in Suffolk County, Massachusetts, and Customer hereby submits to the personal jurisdiction and venue of such courts. The United Nations
Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods shall not apply to this Agreement and is expressly disclaimed.

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One Analog Way, Wilmington, MA 01887-2356, U.S.A.

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