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Qorvo QPC3614TR13
- Part No.:
- QPC3614TR13
- Manufacturer:
- Qorvo
- Category:
- Attenuators
- Package:
- 20-VFQFN Exposed Pad
- Datasheet:
-
QPC3614TR13.pdf
- Description:
- 75-OHM, 6-BIT, 0.5DB STEP, SERIA
- Quantity:
- Payment:
- Shipping:
Inventory:2,337
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Product details
Overview
QPC3614TR13 from Qorvo is a 75Ω, 6-bit digital step attenuator (DSA) delivering 31.5 dB attenuation range in 0.5 dB steps across 5–2000 MHz, with 1.2 dB insertion loss at 1 GHz and 65 dBm typical IIP3 at 1 GHz. It serves as a precision RF gain-control element in CATV optical node and MDU amplifier signal paths.
For engineers reviewing the QPC3614TR13 datasheet, pinout, applications, or equivalent options, key selection factors include its dual serial/parallel control interface, overshoot-free transient switching (<500 ns), 20-pin 4.2 × 4.2 mm QFN package, and support for external or internal negative voltage generation.
Technical Context
The QPC3614TR13 implements a patented monolithic GaAs pHEMT architecture enabling overshoot-free attenuation state transitions and high linearity across full bandwidth. Its three programmable modes-serial, latched parallel, and direct parallel-allow flexible integration into AGC loops and tilt control circuits without requiring external bias networks on RF ports.
RF input and output pads are DC-coupled and may be externally grounded; VSS can be supplied externally or generated internally via an integrated negative voltage generator. Power-up defaults to maximum 31.5 dB attenuation, ensuring fail-safe behavior in upstream amplifier stages.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| Attenuation Range & Step | 31.5 dB total range in precise 0.5 dB increments - enables fine-grained analog-level signal leveling in broadband CATV systems. |
| Frequency Range | 5 MHz to 2000 MHz - covers DOCSIS 3.1/4.0 upstream/downstream, HFC return path, and PON optical node bands. |
| Insertion Loss | 1.2 dB at 1 GHz - minimizes cascade noise figure impact in multi-stage amplifiers and pre-amplifier attenuation blocks. |
| IIP3 | 65 dBm typical at 1 GHz - supports high-channel-count QAM256 operation with >40 dB MER in 75 Ω cable plant. |
| Switching Speed | <500 ns typical (150 ns to 10%/90% RF) - ensures stable AGC response and eliminates transient artifacts during dynamic tilt adjustment. |
| Control Interface | Serial (SPI-compatible) and parallel (latched/direct) - allows direct microcontroller GPIO control or compact serial bus integration without address decoding logic. |
| Supply Voltages | VDD = +2.7 to +5.5 V; VSS = −5.5 to −4.5 V - supports both internal NVG (via VSS-GND jumper) and external negative rail for low-noise biasing. |
Pinout & Package
QPC3614TR13 is housed in a 20-pin, 4.2 mm × 4.2 mm × 0.90 mm QFN package with exposed thermal paddle (RF/DC GND). The package uses NiPdAu contact plating and complies with MSL3 moisture sensitivity level.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1, 15–20 | Parallel Control Bits (C16, C8, C4, C2, C1, C0.5) | Direct binary-weighted inputs for 6-bit attenuation word; enable immediate state update in direct parallel mode. |
| 2, 14 | RFIN / RFOUT | 75 Ω matched RF ports; DC-coupled and safe to ground externally - eliminates need for blocking capacitors in coaxial signal chains. |
| 3, 4, 5, 13 | DATA, CLK, LE, PBAR/S | Full SPI-compatible serial interface plus mode select and latch enable - supports daisy-chaining and synchronous multi-device control. |
| 6, 9, 10, 11, 18 | VDD, GND | Dual VDD pins and four GND pins minimize supply impedance; backside paddle provides low-θjc = 67 °C/W thermal path. |
| 12 | VSS | Negative supply terminal - tied to GND to activate internal negative voltage generator, or driven externally for optimized noise performance. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Overshoot-free transient switching | Patented circuit architecture eliminates RF glitches during attenuation changes - critical for maintaining MER in live QAM256 video streams. |
| DC-coupled RF ports | RFIN and RFOUT require no external DC blocking capacitors - simplifies layout, reduces BOM count, and preserves low-frequency response down to 5 MHz. |
| Three control modes | Serial, latched parallel, and direct parallel programming - accommodates resource-constrained MCUs (serial) or real-time FPGA-based AGC (direct parallel). |
| Internal negative voltage generator | Eliminates need for external −5 V rail when VSS is grounded - reduces system power supply complexity in space-constrained optical node modules. |
| Power-up default state | Automatically initializes to 31.5 dB attenuation - prevents overdrive damage to downstream stages during cold start or brownout recovery. |
Applications
| Optical Node Signal Conditioning | MDU Amplifier Tilt Control |
|---|---|
|
Use Scenario: Leveling RF signal amplitude across 5–1218 MHz spectrum before feeding into EML or DFB laser driver in fiber-deep HFC nodes. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Precision 75 Ω DSA placed between upstream splitter and laser bias network to compensate for wavelength-dependent fiber loss and splitter imbalance. Use Value: Enables flat composite MER >40 dB across full DOCSIS channel plan using only 0.5 dB resolution and <500 ns settling - avoids post-laser DSP correction overhead. |
Use Scenario: Dynamic slope correction in multi-dwelling unit (MDU) distributed amplifiers serving 32–128 subscriber drops. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Inter-stage attenuator between gain blocks, controlled by microcontroller via latched parallel interface to adjust frequency-dependent gain tilt in real time. Use Value: Achieves ±0.3 dB tilt accuracy from 5–1002 MHz using absolute attenuation error of ±(0.2 + 4%) - maintains consistent SNR across all subscriber ports. |
| Return Path AGC Loop | Pre-amplifier Gain Management |
|
Use Scenario: Stabilizing upstream return path power in cable modems and eMTAs operating in noisy, variable-loss coax plant. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Serial-controlled DSA in feedback path of closed-loop AGC amplifier, responding to RSSI measurements from upstream receiver. Use Value: Sub-500 ns switching and 65 dBm IIP3 prevent intermodulation distortion during rapid gain adjustments - sustains >49 dB CCN under bursty upstream traffic. |
Use Scenario: Protecting sensitive LNA input in headend or hub receiver front-ends from strong ingress or overload conditions. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: First-stage 75 Ω attenuator before LNA, configured via direct parallel mode for immediate attenuation change upon overvoltage detection. Use Value: 31.5 dB max attenuation and +30 dBm RFIN handling capability prevent LNA saturation while preserving 18 dB return loss across band - avoids desensitization. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar digital step attenuator applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| QPC3610TR13 | 5–1218 MHz range, 31.5 dB range, same 0.5 dB step but lower IIP3 (62 dBm typ.) and higher insertion loss (1.4 dB @1 GHz) | Limited to DOCSIS 3.1 downstream-only systems; not suitable for full 5–2000 MHz return-path or PON applications | Select when cost sensitivity outweighs extended frequency coverage and linearity requirements. |
| ADL5240ACPZ-R7 | 50 Ω impedance, 0.25–4000 MHz, 31.5 dB range, 0.5 dB step, but requires external negative supply and has slower switching (>1 μs) | Designed for 50 Ω test equipment and wireless infrastructure; incompatible with 75 Ω CATV signal chains without matching networks | Choose only for 50 Ω lab-grade instrumentation where broadband coverage beyond 2 GHz is mandatory. |
Compared with QPC3614TR13, QPC3610TR13 trades bandwidth and linearity for cost in narrower-band CATV systems, while ADL5240ACPZ-R7 offers wider frequency range but introduces impedance mismatch and timing penalties that degrade MER/CCN in production HFC deployments.
Availability
QPC3614TR13 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for optical node signal conditioning, MDU amplifier tilt control, and return-path AGC applications requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle assurance, and RoHS-compliant 75 Ω RF signal management.
Supply support for QPC3614TR13 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
Qorvo is a U.S.-based RF semiconductor leader specializing in high-performance analog and mixed-signal solutions for infrastructure, defense, and mobile markets.
The QPC3614TR13 belongs to Qorvo's CATV-focused digital step attenuator product line, engineered specifically for broadband 75 Ω signal integrity in optical nodes, amplifiers, and active distribution systems.
FAQ
What control interfaces does the QPC3614TR13 support?
The QPC3614TR13 supports three distinct control modes: serial (SPI-compatible DATA/CLK/LE), latched parallel (C16–C0.5 with LE strobe), and direct parallel (C16–C0.5 with LE held high). All modes operate within the same 20-pin QFN package and share identical RF performance. This flexibility allows system designers to choose the optimal interface based on MCU resource constraints or real-time response requirements without redesigning the RF path.
Does the QPC3614TR13 require external DC blocking capacitors on its RF ports?
No, the QPC3614TR13 features DC-coupled RFIN and RFOUT ports that may be safely grounded externally. This eliminates the need for series DC blocking capacitors in 75 Ω coaxial signal chains, reducing component count, board area, and insertion loss at low frequencies. The design ensures proper biasing and thermal stability even with DC grounding, making it ideal for optical node and amplifier applications spanning 5 MHz to 2000 MHz.
How does the internal negative voltage generator work in the QPC3614TR13?
The QPC3614TR13 integrates a negative voltage generator (NVG) that produces the required −5 V bias when VSS (Pin 12) is connected to ground. This eliminates the need for an external negative supply rail in most CATV designs. When higher precision or lower noise is required, VSS can instead be driven by an external −5 V source - a configuration enabled by removing the VSS-to-GND jumper on evaluation boards. Both configurations maintain full 31.5 dB attenuation range and 65 dBm IIP3 performance.
What is the power-up behavior of the QPC3614TR13?
The QPC3614TR13 defaults to maximum 31.5 dB attenuation upon power application in both serial and parallel modes - a fail-safe feature preventing overdrive of downstream components during startup or brownout recovery. To initialize to a different attenuation state, parallel control bits (C16–C0.5) must be asserted before power-on, and LE must remain low during turn-on. This deterministic behavior simplifies system-level reliability design in optical node and amplifier applications.
Is the QPC3614TR13 compatible with DOCSIS 4.0 upstream channel plans?
Yes, the QPC3614TR13 supports the full 5–2000 MHz frequency range required for DOCSIS 4.0 upstream operation, including extended spectrum up to 1218 MHz and full 2000 MHz return-path coverage. Its 65 dBm IIP3 at 1 GHz, 40 dB MER at 75 dBmV composite, and 49 dB CCN meet or exceed SCTE-ANSI specifications for multi-gigabit upstream transmission. The 0.5 dB step resolution enables precise tilt compensation across wideband upstream channels without introducing quantization noise.
QPC3614TR13 Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Qorvo
- Package/Case:
- 20-VFQFN Exposed Pad
- Series:
- -
- Packaging:
- Tape & Reel (TR)
- Product Status:
- Active
- Attenuation Value:
- 31.5dB
- Frequency Range:
- 5 MHz ~ 1.5 GHz
- Power (Watts):
- -
- Impedance:
- 75 Ohms
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
QPC3614TR13 FAQ
1.How can I place an order for QPC3614TR13 through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for QPC3614TR13 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 QPC3614TR13 reliable?
The price and inventory of QPC3614TR13 are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for QPC3614TR13 is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for QPC3614TR13?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for QPC3614TR13 transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for QPC3614TR13?
QPC3614TR13 orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your QPC3614TR13 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 QPC3614TR13?
For technical support, including QPC3614TR13 datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your QPC3614TR13 requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that QPC3614TR13 is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All QPC3614TR13 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 QPC3614TR13 meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of QPC3614TR13?
All QPC3614TR13 units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with QPC3614TR13, 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 QPC3614TR13 part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for QPC3614TR13:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
QPC3614TR13 Tags
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