Microwave Journal
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Modulators HMC696LP4E & HMC697LP4E

January 17, 2011

hmc696lp4_hmc697lp4Hittite Adds Two Wideband Direct Modulators for 3G & 4G Applications. High Linearity Direct I/Q Modulators Cover 20 MHz to 4 GHz.

Hittite Microwave Corp., the world class supplier of complete MMIC based solutions for communication & military markets, has introduced two new wideband direct I/Q modulators which are ideal for automotive, broadband, cellular/3G, WiMAX/4G, military and test & measurement equipment applications between 20 and 4000 MHz.

The HMC696LP4E is a low noise, high linearity Direct Quadrature Modulator RFIC which is rated from 20 MHz to 2.7 GHz. This wideband direct modulator exhibits an output noise floor of -162 dBm/Hz, output P1dB of +8 dBm, output IP3 of +23 dBm, and sideband suppression of -43 dBc. The RF output port is single-ended and matched to 50 Ohms with no external components while the LO input operates from drive levels between -6 and +6 dBm, and can be driven in either differential or single-ended mode.

The HMC697LP4E is a low noise, high linearity Direct Quadrature Modulator RFIC which is rated from 200 MHz to 4 GHz, and delivers an output noise floor of -165 dBm/Hz, output P1dB of +9 dBm, output IP3 of +22 dBm, and sideband suppression of -43 dBc. The RF output port is single-ended and matched to 50 Ohms with no external components, while the LO input operates from drive levels between -6 and +6 dBm, and can be driven in either differential or single-ended mode.

The HMC696LP4E and the HMC697LP4E Direct Quadrature Modulators are housed in compact 4x4 mm SMT QFN packages, and share a common package footprint and pinout. These high linearity direct modulators can be used to create virtually any analog or digital modulation format including BPSK, QPSK, 8PSK, OFDM, and QAM for basestation, access point, and customer premise equipment. The HMC696LP4E and the HMC697LP4E are ideal for software defined radio and multi-band transmitters, where the upconverter must dynamically alter its modulation format and/or output frequency, depending on local operating conditions. Both RFICs require minimal external components & provide a low cost alternative to more complicated double upconversion architectures.

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. Released data sheets are available on-line.

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