Microsemi Corporation GC4713, GC4712, GC4711, GC4702, GC4701 Datasheet

LIMITER DIODES

TOC

Control Devices

DESCRIPTION

The GC4700 series diodes are specially processed PIN
diodes designed for use in passive or active limiters at
frequencies through Ku band.

Twelve categories of devices are offered for flexibility
in design of low (lower Vb, fastest turn-on time), me­dium and high (highest Vb, slowest turn-on time)
power limiters.

INPUT

DC BLOCK

DC

RETURN

λ

4

COARSE
(HIGH
POWER)
LIMITER
DIODE

BASIC TWO-DIODE LIMITER

DC BLOCK

CLEAN UP
(FAST)
LIMITER
DIODE

OUTPUT

APPLICATIONS

A diode limiter is a power-sensitive variable attenuator
that uses the non-linear properties of the diode to pro­vide an impedance mismatch when sufficient amounts
of RF power are incident on the device. The output
power is reduced to a level that will not overdrive a re­ceiver, burn out a mixer, etc. For varying input power
levels in excess of the diode’s threshold level, the limiter’s
output power tends to remain constant.

A passive limiter is one in which the limiter diodes are
“turned on” by the RF signal itself. An active limiter is one
in which the limiter diodesare “turned on” primarily by an
external bias current typically supplied by a Schottky de­tector diode which senses the incident signal.

Since limiter diodes are not designed to dissipate large
amounts of power, the limiter must reflect or divert the
excess incident power back to the source or to another
load (i.e. via a circulator, hybrid coupler, etc.).

Limiter diodes may be used in wave guides, coax, mi­crostrip, stripline or other media. Single or cascaded
devices may be used, depending on power levels.

CHIP ELECTRICAL PARAMETERS: TA= 25°C

MODEL

NUMBER

V

B

MIN (VOLTS)

IR = 10µA

C
TYP
(pF)

JO

C

J6

MAX

(pF)

TYPICAL

R

S

@10 mA

(Ohms)

TYPICAL

T

L

(nS)

GC4701 20 0.20 0.15 1.5 5 20 100
GC4702 20 0.50 0.30 1.2 10 12 80
GC4711 45 0.20 0.15 1.5 10 15 80
GC4712 45 0.50 0.30 1.2 15 10 60
GC4713 45 0.70 0.50 1.0 20 6 40
GC4721 120 0.20 0.15 1.5 50 1.2 40
GC4722 120 0.60 0.30 1.0 50 0.5 20
GC4723 120 0.80 0.50 0.5 100 0.3 15
GC4731 15 0.12 0.10 2.0 5 30 120
GC4732 15 0.20 0.15 1.5 5 20 80
GC4741 30 0.12 0.10 2.0 7 20 100
GC4742 30 0.20 0.15 1.5 7 15 70

1) Pulse length 1 microsecond.

2) As measure in style 30 package.

TYPICAL

1

θ

P

(°C/W)

MAXIMUM
THERMAL

RESISTANCE

(°C/W)

2

75 Technology Drive  Lowell, MA 01851  Tel: [phone]  Fax: [phone]

SEMICONDUCTOR OPERATION

83

Control Devices

TOC

LIMITER DIODES

TYPICAL LIMITER PERFORMANCE RATINGS: TA= 25°C

MAXIMUM

@1.

PEAK

PIN

µ

S (dBm)

MODEL

NUMBER

GC4701 +50 +22 +10 0.1 2
GC4702 +53 +24 +10 0.2 3
GC4711 +53 +27 +15 0.1 3
GC4712 +56 +29 +15 0.2 4
GC4713 +59 +31 +15 0.2 5
GC4721 +60 +39 +20 0.1 5
GC4722 +63 +41 +20 0.2 10
GC4723 +66 +44 +20 0.2 15
GC4731 +47 +19 +7 0.1 2
GC4732 +50 +22 +7 0.1 3
GC4741 +47 +24 +12 0.1 3
GC4742 +50 +27 +12 0.1 4

Notes:

1. Available in standard case styles 30, 35, 42 AND 45. When ordering specify the desired case style by adding its number as a suffix to the
basic part number. Some other case styles are available on request.

TYPICAL

LEAKAGE

P

out

(dBm)

TYPICAL

THRESHOLD

(dBm)

TYPICAL

INSERTION LOSS

(dB)

MAXIMUM

CW
POWER
(Watts)

TYPICAL PERFORMANCE

10,000

GC4721

+1000

+100

POWER OUT (mw)

THRESHOLD

+10

+1.0

+20

+10

PEAK POWER INPUT (dBm)

10dB0dB

GC4701, 4741

+30

+40

+50

RATINGS

Maximum Leakage Current: 0.5µA at 80% of

minimum rated
breakdown

Operating Temperature: 55°C to +150°C

+9
+8

+7

+6

+5

+4

30dB20dB

+60

+3
+2

+1

LEAKAGE POWER ABOVE 1.0GHz (dB)

0

246

8

FREQUENCY (GHz)

10

12

GC4721

GC4701, 4741

14

16

18

SEMICONDUCTOR OPERATION

75 Technology Drive  Lowell, MA 01851  Tel: [phone]  Fax: [phone]

84