For price, delivery and to place orders: Hittite Microwave Corporation, 2 Elizabeth Drive, Chelmsford, MA 01824
Phone: 978-250-3343 Fax: 978-250-3373 Order On-line at www.hittite.com
Application Support: Phone: 978-250-3343 or apps@hittite.com
MIXERS - I/Q MIXERS, IRMS & RECEIVERS - SMT
1
HMC521LC4
v04.0514
GaAs MMIC I/Q MIXER
8.5 - 13.5 GHz
General Description
FeaturesTypical Applications
The HMC521LC4 is a compact I/Q MMIC mixer in a
leadless “Pb free” RoHS compliant SMT package,
which can be used as either an Image Reject Mixer
or a Single Sideband Upconverter. The mixer utilizes
two standard Hittite double balanced mixer cells and
a 90 degree hybrid fabricated in a GaAs MESFET
process. A low frequency quadrature hybrid was used
to produce a 100 MHz USB IF output. This product is a
much smaller alternative to hybrid style Image Reject
Mixers and Single Sideband Upconverter assemblies.
The HMC521LC4 eliminates the need for wire
bonding allowing use of surface mount manufacturing
techniques.
Electrical Specications, TA = +25 °C, IF= 100 MHz, LO = +15 dBm*
Parameter Min. Typ. Max. Min. Typ. Max. Units
Frequency Range, RF/LO 8.5 - 13.5 10.5 - 11.7 GHz
Frequency Range, IF DC - 3.5 DC - 3.5 GHz
Conversion Loss (As IRM) 8 10 7.5 9.5 dB
Image Rejection 20 30 30 38 dB
1 dB Compression (Input) +14 +15 dBm
LO to RF Isolation 35 45 45 55 dB
LO to IF Isolation 18 22 20 24 dB
IP3 (Input) +23 +24 dBm
Amplitude Balance 0.3 0.1 dB
Phase Balance 4 4 Deg
* Unless otherwise noted, all measurements performed as downconverter.
Functional Diagram
The HMC521LC4 is ideal for:
• Point-to-Point and Point-to-Multi-Point Radio
• Military Radar
Wide IF Bandwidth: DC - 3.5 GHz
Image Rejection: 38 dB
LO to RF Isolation: 50 dB
High Input IP3: +23 dBm
24 Lead 4x4mm SMT Package: 16mm²
Information furnished by Analog Devices is believed to be accurate and reliable. However, no
responsibility is assumed by Analog Devices for its use, nor for any infringements of patents or other
rights of third parties that may result from its use. Specifications subject to change without notice. No
license is granted by implication or otherwise under any patent or patent rights of Analog Devices.
Trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
For price, delivery, and to place orders: Analog Devices, Inc.,
One Technology Way, P.O. Box 9106, Norwood, MA 02062-9106
Phone: 781-329-4700 • Order online at www.analog.com
Application Support: Phone: 1-800-ANALOG-D
For price, delivery and to place orders: Hittite Microwave Corporation, 2 Elizabeth Drive, Chelmsford, MA 01824
Phone: 978-250-3343 Fax: 978-250-3373 Order On-line at www.hittite.com
Application Support: Phone: 978-250-3343 or apps@hittite.com
MIXERS - I/Q MIXERS, IRMS & RECEIVERS - SMT
2
HMC521LC4
v04.0514
GaAs MMIC I/Q MIXER
8.5 - 13.5 GHz
Conversion Gain vs. Temperature
Input P1dB vs. Temperature
Conversion Gain vs. LO Drive
Image Rejection vs. Temperature
Return Loss
Input IP3 vs. LO Drive
Data Taken As IRM With External IF Hybrid
-20
-15
-10
-5
0
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
+25C
+85C
-55C
CONVERSION GAIN (dB)
RF FREQUENCY (GHz)
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
+25C
+85C
-55C
IMAGE REJECTION (dB)
RF FREQUENCY (GHz)
-20
-15
-10
-5
0
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
+13 dBm
+15 dBm
+17 dBm
+19 dBm
CONVERSION GAIN (dB)
RF FREQUENCY (GHz)
-30
-25
-20
-15
-10
-5
0
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
RF
LO
RETURN LOSS (dB)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
0
4
8
12
16
20
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
+25C
+85C
-55C
P1dB (dBm)
RF FREQUENCY (GHz)
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
LO = +13 dBm
LO = +15 dBm
LO = +17 dBm
LO = +19 dBm
IP3 (dBm)
RF FREQUENCY (GHz)
Information furnished by Analog Devices is believed to be accurate and reliable. However, no
responsibility is assumed by Analog Devices for its use, nor for any infringements of patents or other
rights of third parties that may result from its use. Specifications subject to change without notice. No
license is granted by implication or otherwise under any patent or patent rights of Analog Devices.
Trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
For price, delivery, and to place orders: Analog Devices, Inc.,
One Technology Way, P.O. Box 9106, Norwood, MA 02062-9106
Phone: 781-329-4700 • Order online at www.analog.com
Application Support: Phone: 1-800-ANALOG-D
For price, delivery and to place orders: Hittite Microwave Corporation, 2 Elizabeth Drive, Chelmsford, MA 01824
Phone: 978-250-3343 Fax: 978-250-3373 Order On-line at www.hittite.com
Application Support: Phone: 978-250-3343 or apps@hittite.com
MIXERS - I/Q MIXERS, IRMS & RECEIVERS - SMT
3
HMC521LC4
v04.0514
GaAs MMIC I/Q MIXER
8.5 - 13.5 GHz
Isolations IF Bandwidth*
Upconverter Performance Conversion
Gain vs. LO Drive
Amplitude Balance vs. LO Drive Phase Balance vs. LO Drive
Quadrature Channel Data Taken Without IF Hybrid
Upconverter Performance Sideband
Rejection vs. LO Drive
* Conversion gain data taken with external IF hybrid
-60
-50
-40
-30
-20
-10
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
ISOLATION (dB)
RF FREQUENCY (GHz)
LO/RF
RF/IF1
LO/IF1
RF/IF2
LO/IF2
-20
-15
-10
-5
0
0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5
RETURN LOSS
CONVERSION GAIN
RESPONSE (dB)
IF FREQUENCY (GHz)
-2
-1.5
-1
-0.5
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
LO = +13 dBm
LO = +15 dBm
LO = +17 dBm
LO = +19 dBm
AMPLITUDE BALANCE (dB)
RF FREQUENCY (GHz)
-10
-5
0
5
10
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
LO = +13 dBm
LO = +15 dBm
LO = +17 dBm
LO = +19 dBm
PHASE BALANCE (degrees)
RF FREQUENCY (GHz)
-20
-15
-10
-5
0
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
LO = +13 dBm
LO = +17 dBm
LO = +15 dBm
LO = +19 dBm
CONVERSION GAIN (dB)
RF FREQUENCY (GHz)
-50
-40
-30
-20
-10
0
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
LO = +13 dBm
LO = +15 dBm
LO = +17 dBm
LO = +19 dBm
SIDEBAND REJECTION (dBc)
RF FREQUENCY (GHz)
Information furnished by Analog Devices is believed to be accurate and reliable. However, no
responsibility is assumed by Analog Devices for its use, nor for any infringements of patents or other
rights of third parties that may result from its use. Specifications subject to change without notice. No
license is granted by implication or otherwise under any patent or patent rights of Analog Devices.
Trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
For price, delivery, and to place orders: Analog Devices, Inc.,
One Technology Way, P.O. Box 9106, Norwood, MA 02062-9106
Phone: 781-329-4700 • Order online at www.analog.com
Application Support: Phone: 1-800-ANALOG-D
For price, delivery and to place orders: Hittite Microwave Corporation, 2 Elizabeth Drive, Chelmsford, MA 01824
Phone: 978-250-3343 Fax: 978-250-3373 Order On-line at www.hittite.com
Application Support: Phone: 978-250-3343 or apps@hittite.com
MIXERS - I/Q MIXERS, IRMS & RECEIVERS - SMT
4
HMC521LC4
v04.0514
GaAs MMIC I/Q MIXER
8.5 - 13.5 GHz
Harmonics of LO
LO Freq. (GHz) nLO Spur at RF Port
1234
8.5 42 44 44 70
9.5 50 53 59 77
10.5 51 54 63 xx
11.5 47 58 66 xx
12.5 45 59 70 xx
13.5 45 57 xx xx
LO = + 15 dBm
Values in dBc below input LO level measured at RF Port.
MxN Spurious Outputs
nLO
mRF 01234
0xx -5 29 23 52
127 051 59 81
292 85 76 82 92
392 92 92 92 92
492 92 92 92 92
RF = 10.6 GHz @ -10 dBm
LO = 10.5 GHz @ +15 dBm
Data taken without IF hybrid
All values in dBc below IF power level
Absolute Maximum Ratings
RF / IF Input +20 dBm
LO Drive + 27 dBm
Channel Temperature 150°C
Continuous Pdiss (T=85°C)
(derate 6.9 mW/°C above 85°C) 460 mW
Thermal Resistance (RTH)
(junction to package bottom) 141.4 °C/ W
Storage Temperature -65 to +150 °C
Operating Temperature -55 to +85 °C
ELECTROSTATIC SENSITIVE DEVICE
OBSERVE HANDLING PRECAUTIONS
Information furnished by Analog Devices is believed to be accurate and reliable. However, no
responsibility is assumed by Analog Devices for its use, nor for any infringements of patents or other
rights of third parties that may result from its use. Specifications subject to change without notice. No
license is granted by implication or otherwise under any patent or patent rights of Analog Devices.
Trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
For price, delivery, and to place orders: Analog Devices, Inc.,
One Technology Way, P.O. Box 9106, Norwood, MA 02062-9106
Phone: 781-329-4700 • Order online at www.analog.com
Application Support: Phone: 1-800-ANALOG-D
For price, delivery and to place orders: Hittite Microwave Corporation, 2 Elizabeth Drive, Chelmsford, MA 01824
Phone: 978-250-3343 Fax: 978-250-3373 Order On-line at www.hittite.com
Application Support: Phone: 978-250-3343 or apps@hittite.com
MIXERS - I/Q MIXERS, IRMS & RECEIVERS - SMT
5
HMC521LC4
v04.0514
GaAs MMIC I/Q MIXER
8.5 - 13.5 GHz
Outline Drawing
NOTES:
1. PACKAGE BODY MATERIAL: ALUMINA
2. LEAD AND GROUND PADDLE PLATING: 30 - 80 MICROINCHES
GOLD OVER 50 MICROINCHES MINIMUM NICKLE
3. DIMENSIONS ARE IN INCHES [MILLIMETERS]
4. LEAD SPACING TOLERANCE IS NON-CUMULATIVE
5. PACKAGE WARP SHALL NOT EXCEED 0.05mm DATUM
6. ALL GROUND LEADS AND GROUND PADDLE MUST BE SOLDERED
TO PCB RF GROUND
Package Information
Part Number Package Body Material Lead Finish MSL Rating Package Marking [2]
HMC521LC4 Alumina, White Gold over Nickel MSL3 [1] H521
XXXX
[1] Max peak reow temperature of 260 °C
[2] 4-Digit lot number XXXX
Information furnished by Analog Devices is believed to be accurate and reliable. However, no
responsibility is assumed by Analog Devices for its use, nor for any infringements of patents or other
rights of third parties that may result from its use. Specifications subject to change without notice. No
license is granted by implication or otherwise under any patent or patent rights of Analog Devices.
Trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
For price, delivery, and to place orders: Analog Devices, Inc.,
One Technology Way, P.O. Box 9106, Norwood, MA 02062-9106
Phone: 781-329-4700 • Order online at www.analog.com
Application Support: Phone: 1-800-ANALOG-D
For price, delivery and to place orders: Hittite Microwave Corporation, 2 Elizabeth Drive, Chelmsford, MA 01824
Phone: 978-250-3343 Fax: 978-250-3373 Order On-line at www.hittite.com
Application Support: Phone: 978-250-3343 or apps@hittite.com
MIXERS - I/Q MIXERS, IRMS & RECEIVERS - SMT
6
HMC521LC4
v04.0514
GaAs MMIC I/Q MIXER
8.5 - 13.5 GHz
Pin Number Function Description Interface Schematic
1, 2, 6 - 8, 10,
13, 17 - 24 N/C No connection required. These pins may be connected
to RF/DC ground without affecting performance.
3, 5, 12, 14, 16 GND These pins and package bottom must
be connected to RF/DC ground.
4RF This pin is AC coupled and matched to
50 Ohms from 8.5 to 13.5 GHz.
9IF1
This pin is DC coupled. For applications
not requiring operation to DC, this port should be
DC blocked externally using a series capacitor whose
value has been chosen to pass the necessary IF
frequency range. For operation to DC, this pin must not
source/sink more than 3mA of current or part non-func-
tion and possible part failure will result.
11 IF2
15 LO This pin is AC coupled and matched to
50 Ohms from 8.5 to 13.5 GHz.
Pin Descriptions
Information furnished by Analog Devices is believed to be accurate and reliable. However, no
responsibility is assumed by Analog Devices for its use, nor for any infringements of patents or other
rights of third parties that may result from its use. Specifications subject to change without notice. No
license is granted by implication or otherwise under any patent or patent rights of Analog Devices.
Trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
For price, delivery, and to place orders: Analog Devices, Inc.,
One Technology Way, P.O. Box 9106, Norwood, MA 02062-9106
Phone: 781-329-4700 • Order online at www.analog.com
Application Support: Phone: 1-800-ANALOG-D
For price, delivery and to place orders: Hittite Microwave Corporation, 2 Elizabeth Drive, Chelmsford, MA 01824
Phone: 978-250-3343 Fax: 978-250-3373 Order On-line at www.hittite.com
Application Support: Phone: 978-250-3343 or apps@hittite.com
MIXERS - I/Q MIXERS, IRMS & RECEIVERS - SMT
7
HMC521LC4
v04.0514
GaAs MMIC I/Q MIXER
8.5 - 13.5 GHz
Evaluation PCB
The circuit board used in the application should use
RF circuit design techniques. Signal lines should
have 50 Ohm impedance while the package ground
leads and exposed paddle should be connected
directly to the ground plane similar to that shown.
A sufficient number of via holes should be used to
connect the top and bottom ground planes. The
evaluation circuit board shown is available from
Hittite upon request.
List of Materials for Evaluation PCB 109998 [1]
Item Description
J1, J2 PCB Mount SMA RF Connector, SRI
J3 - J4 PCB Mount SMA Connector, Johnson
U1 HMC521LC4
PCB [2] 109996 Evaluation Board
[1] Reference this number when ordering complete evaluation PCB
[2] Circuit Board Material: Rogers 4350
Information furnished by Analog Devices is believed to be accurate and reliable. However, no
responsibility is assumed by Analog Devices for its use, nor for any infringements of patents or other
rights of third parties that may result from its use. Specifications subject to change without notice. No
license is granted by implication or otherwise under any patent or patent rights of Analog Devices.
Trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
For price, delivery, and to place orders: Analog Devices, Inc.,
One Technology Way, P.O. Box 9106, Norwood, MA 02062-9106
Phone: 781-329-4700 • Order online at www.analog.com
Application Support: Phone: 1-800-ANALOG-D
For price, delivery and to place orders: Hittite Microwave Corporation, 2 Elizabeth Drive, Chelmsford, MA 01824
Phone: 978-250-3343 Fax: 978-250-3373 Order On-line at www.hittite.com
Application Support: Phone: 978-250-3343 or apps@hittite.com
MIXERS - I/Q MIXERS, IRMS & RECEIVERS - SMT
8
HMC521LC4
v04.0514
GaAs MMIC I/Q MIXER
8.5 - 13.5 GHz
Information furnished by Analog Devices is believed to be accurate and reliable. However, no
responsibility is assumed by Analog Devices for its use, nor for any infringements of patents or other
rights of third parties that may result from its use. Specifications subject to change without notice. No
license is granted by implication or otherwise under any patent or patent rights of Analog Devices.
Trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
For price, delivery, and to place orders: Analog Devices, Inc.,
One Technology Way, P.O. Box 9106, Norwood, MA 02062-9106
Phone: 781-329-4700 • Order online at www.analog.com
Application Support: Phone: 1-800-ANALOG-D
