Hittite Microwave Corp. announced the release of a new low noise programmable frequency divider, which is ideal for use in signal generation architectures found in test equipment, laboratory systems and various military applications. The divider is among the products Hittite will be exhibiting in booth 512 at EuMW.

The HMC861LP3E can be programmed to divide-by-1 or divide-by-3, and accepts input frequencies from 100 MHz to 13 GHz. The HMC861LP3E exhibits extremely low additive phase noise of -152 dBc/Hz in divide-by-1 mode, and -153 dBc/Hz in divide-by-3 mode. This versatile frequency divider accepts input signal levels from -10 to +10 dBm, while delivering +2 dBm of output power. The wide input frequency and power level ranges, and the low single sideband phase noise make the HMC861LP3E ideal for synthesizer and phase locked loop applications in wideband and high data rate communication systems.

The division ratio of the HMC861LP3E is selected by a single CMOS compatible input and the device is powered from a +5 V supply. The HMC861LP3E is the only known MMIC divide-by-3 available in the marketplace which operates to 13 GHz.

The HMC861LP3E is conveniently housed in a miniature 3 x 3 mm RoHS-compliant QFN leadless SMT package and is specified for operation over -40° to +85°C. Samples and evaluation PC boards for all SMT packaged products are available from stock and can be ordered via the company’s e-commerce site or via direct purchase order.