Analog Devices Inc. 108648-HMC586LC4B

Overview

HMC586LC4B from Analog Devices (formerly Hittite Microwave) is a wideband GaAs InGaP monolithic voltage-controlled oscillator with integrated buffer amplifier, operating from 4 to 8 GHz. It delivers +5 dBm output power, achieves −100 dBc/Hz SSB phase noise at 100 kHz offset, and accepts 0–18 V tuning voltage while drawing only 55 mA from a single +5 V supply. It serves as the core RF source in broadband test equipment and EW systems requiring stable, low-noise tunable signal generation.

For engineers reviewing the HMC586LC4B datasheet, HMC586LC4B pinout, HMC586LC4B application, or HMC586LC4B equivalent, key selection criteria include its 4–8 GHz continuous tuning range, −75 dBc/Hz phase noise at 10 kHz offset, 4 MHzpp pulling tolerance, 40 MHz/V pushing coefficient, and RoHS-compliant 4×4 mm alumina SMT package with exposed ground paddle.

Technical Context

The HMC586LC4B integrates resonator, negative resistance device, and varactor diode on a single GaAs InGaP die, enabling excellent temperature stability without external components. Its monolithic construction eliminates discrete resonator alignment and reduces sensitivity to board-level parasitics.

It features an AC-coupled RFOUT pin, dedicated Vtune interface for analog frequency control or FM modulation, and a single +5 V supply rail with internal biasing. The device exhibits 0.8 MHz/°C frequency drift and requires RF grounding of all ground pins plus the exposed paddle per MIL-STD-883 design rules.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: 4 × 4 mm alumina surface-mount package with exposed metal ground paddle; gold-over-nickel plating; MSL3 rating; 24-pin configuration with multiple ground and no-connect terminals.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar VCO applications.

Compared with HMC586LC4B, HMC513LP5 trades 2 GHz of tuning bandwidth for superior phase noise in a narrower band, while ADF4351 replaces analog tuning with digitally programmable synthesis at the cost of added circuitry and potential spurious content from fractional-N operation.

Availability

HMC586LC4B is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for test & measurement instrumentation, military radar subsystems, and industrial RF heating systems requiring stable component supply across extended temperature ranges and long production lifecycles.

Supply support for HMC586LC4B includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.

Manufacturer

Analog Devices acquired Hittite Microwave in 2014 and maintains its high-frequency RF product portfolio, including MMICs, VCOs, and integrated transceivers for defense and communications markets.

The HMC586LC4B belongs to Hittite's wideband MMIC VCO family, designed specifically for applications demanding low-phase-noise, wide-tuning-range oscillators in compact SMT packages without external resonators.

FAQ

What is the recommended PCB layout for HMC586LC4B to ensure optimal RF performance?

Optimal RF performance for HMC586LC4B requires strict adherence to the 108646 evaluation board layout: use Rogers 4350 substrate, maintain 50 Ω microstrip routing, connect all ground pins (14, 16) and the exposed paddle to a solid ground plane using ≥8 thermal vias, and place 1000 pF (0402) and 4.7 µF tantalum capacitors near Vcc (pin 12). The HMC586LC4B evaluation PCB (P/N 108648) is available directly from Analog Devices upon request.

Does HMC586LC4B require external tuning components such as varactors or inductors?

No, the HMC586LC4B does not require external tuning components. Its monolithic GaAs InGaP construction integrates the resonator, negative resistance device, and varactor diode, enabling full 4–8 GHz operation with only a 0–18 V analog tuning voltage applied to pin 4 (Vtune). This eliminates manual alignment and improves production repeatability compared to hybrid VCO designs.

What is the maximum allowable tuning voltage for HMC586LC4B, and what happens beyond that limit?

The absolute maximum tuning voltage for HMC586LC4B is +22 Vdc, as specified in the Absolute Maximum Ratings table. Operation above +18 V may cause irreversible degradation of the integrated varactor diode, leading to reduced tuning linearity, increased phase noise, or permanent frequency drift. The HMC586LC4B is characterized and guaranteed for stable operation only within the 0–18 V range.

How does temperature affect the output frequency stability of HMC586LC4B?

The HMC586LC4B exhibits a frequency drift rate of 0.8 MHz/°C over its −40 to +85 °C operating range. This drift is linear and predictable, allowing for open-loop compensation in systems with known thermal gradients. At +85 °C, the total drift from +25 °C is approximately ±48 MHz across the 4–8 GHz band, well within the 4 GHz tuning range and manageable via calibration or closed-loop control.

Can HMC586LC4B be used in a PLL configuration, and what are the key interface considerations?

Yes, the HMC586LC4B is commonly used in PLL configurations as the VCO element. Key interface considerations include: (1) driving Vtune (pin 4) with a low-impedance loop filter to preserve modulation bandwidth; (2) ensuring loop filter output noise contributes <−120 dBc/Hz to avoid degrading the HMC586LC4B's native −100 dBc/Hz phase noise; and (3) isolating the Vtune line from digital noise sources using ferrite beads or RC filtering. The HMC586LC4B's 40 MHz/V pushing coefficient also necessitates clean, regulated +5 V supply on pin 12.