Microchip Technology GC15010-00
- Part No.:
- GC15010-00
- Manufacturer:
- Microchip Technology
- Package:
- Die
- Datasheet:
-
GC15010-00.pdf
- Description:
- SI TVAR NON HERMETIC CHIP
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

Inventory:5,396
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Product details
Overview
GC15010-00 from Microsemi is a frequency-linear tuning varactor diode designed for high-performance VCO and filter tuning in Ku-band RF systems. It delivers 10.0 pF capacitance at −4 V, 2.0 pF at −20 V, 13:1 tuning ratio (CJ0/CJ20), 0.11 sensitivity, and 700 typical Q at 4 V / 50 MHz - enabling octave-wide linear tuning without external linearization in satellite transceivers and radar front-ends.
For engineers reviewing the GC15010-00 datasheet, GC15010-00 pinout, GC15010-00 application, or GC15010-00 equivalent, this page provides verified electrical parameters, package mapping to Style 00 (chip-on-carrier), Ku-band frequency response, low-phase-noise design value, and direct alternatives with documented C-V curve and Q trade-offs.
Technical Context
The GC15010-00 employs computer-controlled grown junction epitaxy to achieve precise hyperabrupt doping profiles, yielding a voltage-dependent capacitance slope (sensitivity = 0.11) optimized for linear frequency vs. bias behavior across 12–18 GHz. Its mesa structure and superior passivation minimize surface leakage and trap-related noise.
This device operates over −55 °C to +125 °C with ≤50 nA leakage at 20 V reverse bias and supports stable tuning up to Ku-band frequencies due to its high Q (700 @ 4 V/50 MHz) and low parasitic contribution when mounted on low-capacitance carriers.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| CJ @ −4 V | 10.0 pF ±10% - sets nominal center frequency in VCO tank circuits |
| CJ @ −20 V | 2.0 pF - enables wide tuning range while maintaining usable impedance |
| Tuning Ratio CJ0/CJ20 | 13:1 - supports >1-octave frequency coverage without calibration |
| Sensitivity (S) | 0.11 - ensures near-linear f0 vs. Vbias response in modulated VCOs |
| Q @ 4 V / 50 MHz | 700 - reduces phase noise and improves VCO spectral purity |
| Max Leakage @ 20 V | 50 nA - guarantees low DC power loss and thermal stability |
| Operating Temp | −55 °C to +125 °C - qualified for aerospace and defense environmental stress |
Pinout & Package
GC15010-00 is supplied in Package Style 00: a bare silicon chip mounted on a ceramic or metal carrier for hybrid microwave assembly. No discrete leads or solder pads - terminals are accessed via wire bonding to anode and cathode metallization areas.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Anode | Forward-biased terminal | DC bias injection point; requires series resistor to limit current during tuning |
| Cathode | Reverse-biased terminal | AC-grounded node in VCO tank; must maintain low-inductance RF return path |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Frequency-linear C-V profile | Enables direct voltage-to-frequency mapping in Ku-band VCOs without correction circuitry |
| Low surface noise & leakage | Reduces FM noise floor by >10 dB compared to ion-implanted varactors in same bias range |
| High Q (700 @ 4 V/50 MHz) | Improves VCO phase noise performance by minimizing resonator loss in LC tanks |
| Computer-grown epitaxial junction | Ensures repeatable C-V slope and inter-device matching within ±5% across production lots |
| Ku-band functional range | Validated operation up to 18 GHz per typical frequency response curves on Page 2 |
Applications
| Satellite Transceiver VCOs | Radar Local Oscillators |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: Wideband frequency synthesis in LEO satellite uplink/downlink transceivers requiring agile channel switching across 12–18 GHz. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Tuning element in Colpitts VCO tank circuit, directly modulating oscillation frequency via analog control voltage. Use Value: 13:1 tuning ratio and 0.11 sensitivity enable >1-octave linear sweep with <±0.5% frequency error, eliminating digital calibration. | Use Scenario: Fast-hopping local oscillator in pulsed Doppler radar systems operating at X/Ku bands. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Voltage-controlled reactance in YIG-tuned or LC-based LO synthesizers for rapid frequency agility. Use Value: Low 50 nA leakage ensures stable bias point under temperature cycling, preserving hop accuracy over −40 °C to +85 °C. |
| Phased Array Beamforming Filters | Modulated Microwave Amplifiers |
Use Scenario: Reconfigurable bandpass filtering in active electronically scanned array (AESA) antenna modules. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Tunable capacitor in switched-capacitor or distributed filter topologies for real-time bandwidth adjustment. Use Value: High Q (700) maintains insertion loss <2.5 dB across 14–16 GHz, critical for gain flatness in multi-element arrays. | Use Scenario: AM/FM modulation of GaAs MMIC power amplifiers in test instrumentation and EW systems. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Bias-controlled reactance in amplifier output matching network to shift gain peak dynamically. Use Value: Constant sensitivity (0.11) ensures linear modulation depth vs. control voltage, supporting clean 100+ MHz modulation bandwidth. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar frequency-linear tuning varactor applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| GC15009-00 | CJ = 5.0 pF @ −4 V; Q = 800; sensitivity = 0.11; tuning ratio = 13:1 | Nominal center frequency ~1.4× higher than GC15010-00 in identical tank layout | Select when targeting 15–22 GHz operation with tighter capacitance tolerance |
| GC15011-00 | CJ = 22.0 pF @ −4 V; Q = 500; sensitivity = 0.11; tuning ratio = 13:1 | Lower Q increases phase noise but improves low-frequency tuning linearity below 10 GHz | Choose for sub-12 GHz VCOs where capacitance headroom outweighs Q penalty |
Compared with GC15009-00 and GC15011-00, GC15010-00 strikes a balance between mid-band capacitance (10.0 pF), usable Q (700), and Ku-band linearity - making it optimal for 12–18 GHz VCOs where both tuning range and spectral purity are critical.
Availability
GC15010-00 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for satellite communications, radar subsystems, and phased-array antenna development requiring stable component supply across extended temperature ranges and long production lifecycles.
Supply support for GC15010-00 includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.
Manufacturer
Microsemi (now part of Microchip Technology) is a U.S.-based semiconductor company specializing in high-reliability analog and RF components for aerospace, defense, and industrial markets.
The GC15000 series was developed specifically for Ku-band frequency-linear tuning in mission-critical RF systems where phase noise, temperature stability, and repeatability are non-negotiable.
FAQ
What is the maximum reverse bias voltage for GC15010-00?
The absolute maximum reverse bias voltage for GC15010-00 is not explicitly specified beyond the test condition of 20 V used for leakage measurement. However, the device is characterized up to −20 V for C-V and Q measurements, and operation above this voltage risks irreversible junction breakdown. For reliable long-term use, GC15010-00 should be biased within 0 to −20 V, with derating recommended above 85 °C ambient.
Does GC15010-00 require special handling due to ESD sensitivity?
Yes, GC15010-00 is classified as ESD-sensitive per the manufacturer's documentation. It must be handled using standard Class 1A ESD precautions - including grounded workstations, conductive flooring, wrist straps, and static-dissipative packaging - to prevent latent damage to the epitaxial mesa junction, which could degrade leakage current or C-V linearity.
Is GC15010-00 RoHS compliant?
Yes, GC15010-00 meets RoHS Directive 2002/95/EC requirements. The standard terminal finish is gold, and all materials used in the GC15000 series - including die attach, passivation, and carrier substrate - are RoHS-compliant. Full compliance documentation is available upon request from Aetrix Electronics.
What package style does GC15010-00 ship in by default?
GC15010-00 ships in Package Style 00 - a bare silicon chip mounted on a ceramic or metal carrier for hybrid microwave assembly. This configuration minimizes parasitic capacitance and preserves C-V linearity at high bias voltages, unlike packaged variants such as Style 17 or 450A which add parallel capacitance detrimental to Ku-band performance.
How does the 0.11 sensitivity value impact VCO design with GC15010-00?
The 0.11 sensitivity value means GC15010-00 exhibits a near-constant dC/dV slope across its tuning range, resulting in linear frequency vs. control voltage behavior in properly designed VCOs. This eliminates need for lookup tables or analog compensation networks, simplifying loop filter design and improving settling time in frequency-hopping systems using GC15010-00.
GC15010-00 Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Microchip Technology
- Series:
- GC15000
- Package/Case:
- Die
- Packaging:
- Tray
- Product Status:
- Active
- Capacitance @ Vr, F:
- 2pF @ 20V, 1MHz
- Capacitance Ratio:
- 13.0
- Capacitance Ratio Condition:
- C0/C20
- Voltage - Peak Reverse (Max):
- 22 V
- Diode Type:
- Single
- Q @ Vr, F:
- 700 @ 4V, 50MHz
- Operating Temperature:
- -55°C ~ 125°C
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
- Mounting Type:
- Surface Mount
- Supplier Device Package:
- Chip
GC15010-00 FAQ
1.How can I place an order for GC15010-00 through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for GC15010-00 on Aetrix. Our sales agent will provide a competitive quotation and guide you through the order confirmation once you accept the terms.
2.Are the price and stock information for GC15010-00 reliable?
The price and inventory of GC15010-00 are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for GC15010-00 is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for GC15010-00?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for GC15010-00 transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for GC15010-00?
GC15010-00 orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your GC15010-00 order is processed, you will receive an email with the shipment details and tracking number.
Note: Tracking information may take up to 24 hours to appear. Express delivery typically takes 3–5 business days.
5.How can I obtain technical support or documentation for GC15010-00?
For technical support, including GC15010-00 datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your GC15010-00 requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that GC15010-00 is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All GC15010-00 products on Aetrix are procured from qualified distributors and authorized channels. Our dedicated quality assurance team conducts strict verification, including traceability checks and, if necessary, third-party testing. This ensures that GC15010-00 meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of GC15010-00?
All GC15010-00 units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with GC15010-00, returns or replacements are accepted under the following conditions:
1.Quantity discrepancies, incorrect items, or visible external defects (such as breakage or corrosion), acknowledged by Aetrix.
2.The issue is reported within 90 days of delivery.
3.The GC15010-00 part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for GC15010-00:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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