Analog Devices Inc. 111667-HMC451LC3

Overview

The HMC451LC3 from Analog Devices is a GaAs PHEMT MMIC medium power amplifier operating from 5 to 20 GHz, delivering 19 dB small-signal gain, +21 dBm saturated output power at 21% PAE, and +30 dBm output IP3-all from a single +5 V supply. It serves as a linear gain block or LO driver for HMC mixers in microwave radio, VSAT, and test equipment.

For engineers reviewing the HMC451LC3 datasheet, HMC451LC3 pinout, HMC451LC3 application, or HMC451LC3 equivalent, key selection criteria include its 5–20 GHz bandwidth, 50 Ω matched RF I/Os with DC blocking, RoHS-compliant 3 × 3 mm ceramic LCC package, and compatibility with surface-mount manufacturing without external matching components.

Technical Context

The HMC451LC3 integrates two independent GaAs PHEMT amplifier stages in a monolithic MMIC structure, biased via dual Vdd pins (Vdd1 and Vdd2) requiring external 100 pF, 1,000 pF, and 2.2 µF bypass capacitors per supply rail. Its input and output are internally AC-coupled and 50 Ω matched across the full 5–20 GHz band.

Thermal management relies on the exposed paddle (pin 16 ground connection), with a specified thermal resistance of 80 °C/W (channel-to-ground). The device operates over –40 °C to +85 °C and supports reflow up to 260 °C (MSL3).

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: 16-terminal ceramic leadless chip carrier (LCC), 3.05 × 3.05 mm body, white alumina substrate, gold-over-nickel finish, MSL3 rated, with thermally enhanced exposed paddle (grounded).

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar medium-power RF amplifier applications.

Compared with HMC451LC3, HMC452LP3E offers QFN packaging trade-offs in thermal and mechanical robustness, while QPA2211 expands bandwidth and output at the cost of dual-supply design overhead-neither is pin-compatible, and both require layout revision.

Availability

HMC451LC3 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for microwave radio, military radar, and test equipment applications requiring stable component supply, consistent RF performance across temperature, and long-term obsolescence mitigation.

Supply support for HMC451LC3 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, Inc. is a global leader in high-performance analog, mixed-signal, and RF ICs, serving precision instrumentation, communications, and defense markets since 1965.

The HMC product line delivers GaAs and GaN MMIC amplifiers, mixers, and switches engineered for broadband microwave and millimeter-wave systems demanding reliability, linearity, and thermal resilience.

FAQ

What is the recommended DC blocking capacitor value for HMC451LC3 RF ports?

The HMC451LC3 features integrated DC blocking on both RFIN (pin 3) and RFOUT (pin 10); no external DC blocking capacitors are required. This internal AC coupling maintains 50 Ω match from 5–20 GHz and eliminates risk of capacitor resonance or parasitic loss. External capacitors would degrade broadband performance and are not used in the reference application circuit for HMC451LC3.

Can HMC451LC3 operate with only one supply voltage connected?

No-HMC451LC3 requires both Vdd1 (pin 16) and Vdd2 (pin 13) to be connected to +5 V with proper bypassing (100 pF, 1,000 pF, and 2.2 µF per rail). The dual-supply architecture powers separate internal amplifier sections; omitting either supply will result in failure to amplify or permanent damage. The datasheet specifies identical current draw (114 mA total) across both rails for HMC451LC3.

Is the exposed paddle of HMC451LC3 electrically connected to ground?

Yes-the exposed paddle of HMC451LC3 is the primary RF/DC ground reference and must be soldered to a solid ground plane using multiple thermal vias. It connects internally to all ground terminals and serves as the thermal path (80 °C/W channel-to-paddle). Leaving it unconnected or floating violates absolute maximum ratings and causes instability, gain collapse, or thermal runaway in HMC451LC3 operation.

Does HMC451LC3 require external matching components for 50 Ω operation?

No-HMC451LC3 is fully 50 Ω matched at both input (pin 3) and output (pin 10) across 5–20 GHz. Its internal matching eliminates discrete inductors, capacitors, or transmission-line stubs. The evaluation PCB (111665) and application schematic confirm zero external matching components are needed for nominal operation, making HMC451LC3 a true "drop-in" gain block for RF system designers.

What is the maximum RF input power rating for HMC451LC3?

The absolute maximum RF input power for HMC451LC3 is +10 dBm at Vdd = +5 Vdc, as defined in the Absolute Maximum Ratings table. Exceeding this level risks gate damage or permanent degradation of gain and linearity. For reliable operation, input power should remain ≤ –5 dBm in linear mode or ≤ +5 dBm in compressed operation-verified across temperature in the HMC451LC3 datasheet's compression curves.