18–40 GHz Surface Mount Voltage Variable Attenuator

AV850M2-A2

4

Alpha Industries, Inc. [781] 935-5150

• Fax [617] 824-4579 • Email sales@alphaind.com • www.alphaind.com

Specifications subject to change without notice. 6/00A

“Alpha Two” Surface Mount Package

Handling and Mounting

Millimeterwave components require careful mounting

design to maintain optimal performance. The Alpha Two

surface mount package (patent pending) provides a

rugged and repeatable electrical connection using

standard solder techniques.

Handling

The Alpha Two surface mount package is very rugged.

However, due to ceramic’s brittle nature, one should

exercise care when handling with metal tools. Do not apply

heavy pressure to the lid. Vacuum tools may be used to

pick and place this part.

Only personnel trained in both ESD precautions and

handling precautions should be allowed to handle these

packages.

Package Construction

The Alpha Two surface mount package consists of a base

and a lid. The package base is ceramic with filled vias and

plated castellations. The package lid is unplated alumina.

The lid seal is epoxy.

Mounting Design

The Alpha Two surface mount package is installed on top

of a printed circuit board on a specially designed footprint.

Mounting footprint geometry will be supplied by Alpha

Industries in electronic formats or paper drawing.

Mounting the Package

The Alpha Two surface mount package is compatible with

high-volume surface mount installation using solder. RF

and DC connections are accomplished with metallized

edge castellations that hold solder fillets. Ground

connections are accomplished by both metallized edge

castellations and filled vias to the bottom of the package.

Care should be taken to ensure that there are no voids

or gaps in the solder so that a good RF, DC, and ground

contact is maintained.

Alpha Two Surface Mount Package Installation

Printed Ccircuit Board

Rogers 4003

0.008" (0.20 mm) Thick

Electrically & Thermally

Conductive Ground Plane

RF In

RF Out

DC Lines

Solder Fillets

Footprint Geometry for Alpha Two

Surface Mount Package

RF In

RF Out

DC Connections

DC Connections

64 Via Holes