Analog Devices Inc. EV1HMC642ALC5

Overview

EV1HMC642ALC5 from Analog Devices is an evaluation board for the HMC642ALC5 GaAs MMIC 6-bit digital phase shifter, operating from 9 to 12.5 GHz with 5.625° LSB resolution, ±0.4 dB insertion loss variation, and 4.5° RMS phase error. It supports RF beamforming in radar and satellite systems using SMA connectors and Rogers 4350 PCB material.

For engineers reviewing the EV1HMC642ALC5 datasheet, EV1HMC642ALC5 pinout, EV1HMC642ALC5 application, or EV1HMC642ALC5 equivalent, this board enables rapid validation of HMC642ALC5 phase accuracy, temperature stability, and RF linearity under real-world bias and control logic conditions (0/+5 V, Vdd = +5 V, Vss = −5 V).

Technical Context

The EV1HMC642ALC5 is a dedicated evaluation platform-not an IC-designed to characterize the HMC642ALC5 phase shifter under controlled RF and DC conditions. It implements 50 Ω matched RF paths via SMA connectors (J1–J2), Molex headers (J3–J4) for digital control, and direct thermal coupling to heatsinks per package thermal resistance (190 °C/W).

Board-level design follows RF best practices: Rogers 4350 substrate ensures stable dielectric constant (ε_r ≈ 3.48), ground vias connect top/bottom planes, and the exposed paddle of U1 (HMC642ALC5) is soldered directly to the PCB ground plane to maintain signal integrity and thermal performance across −40°C to +85°C operation.

Key Specifications

Availability

EV1HMC642ALC5 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for EW receiver development, military radar prototyping, satellite communications testing, and phased array beamforming validation requiring stable component supply and traceable evaluation hardware.

Supply support for EV1HMC642ALC5 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 aerospace, defense, communications, and industrial markets with precision signal processing solutions.

The EV1HMC642ALC5 belongs to Analog Devices' Hittite Microwave evaluation board family, engineered specifically to accelerate characterization of GaAs MMIC phase shifters in demanding microwave applications where phase accuracy, linearity, and thermal stability are critical.

FAQ

What is the purpose of the EV1HMC642ALC5 evaluation board?

The EV1HMC642ALC5 evaluation board is designed exclusively to validate the performance of the HMC642ALC5 6-bit digital phase shifter across its full 9–12.5 GHz band. It provides SMA RF interfaces, Molex control headers, and Rogers 4350 PCB layout optimized for low-loss signal routing and thermal management-enabling engineers to measure RMS phase error, insertion loss variation, and linearity without custom PCB development. The EV1HMC642ALC5 must be used with the HMC642ALC5 device installed.

Does the EV1HMC642ALC5 include the HMC642ALC5 IC?

Yes, the EV1HMC642ALC5 evaluation board includes one populated HMC642ALC5 6-bit GaAs MMIC phase shifter (U1) as specified in the Bill of Materials. The board ships fully assembled with the IC soldered to the Rogers 4350 substrate, ready for immediate RF and DC testing under standard bias conditions (Vdd = +5 V, Vss = −5 V, control logic 0/+5 V).

What RF connectors are used on the EV1HMC642ALC5?

The EV1HMC642ALC5 uses two PCB-mount SMA connectors (J1 and J2) for RF input (RFIN) and output (RFOUT) ports. These connectors are impedance-matched to 50 Ω and positioned to minimize discontinuity in the RF path, supporting accurate S-parameter measurements and phase shift verification across the full 9–12.5 GHz operating range of the HMC642ALC5.

Can the EV1HMC642ALC5 be used for thermal testing?

Yes-the EV1HMC642ALC5 is explicitly designed for thermal validation: its layout exposes the HMC642ALC5's ground paddle for direct heatsink mounting, and the board supports operation from −40°C to +85°C. With thermal resistance of 190 °C/W (channel-to-ground paddle), engineers can correlate measured phase drift and insertion loss variation against junction temperature using calibrated environmental chambers and bias sequencing.

Is the EV1HMC642ALC5 compatible with other Hittite phase shifter evaluation boards?

No-EV1HMC642ALC5 is mechanically and electrically specific to the HMC642ALC5 in its 32-lead 5×5 mm ceramic SMT package. Its pinout mapping, RF trace geometry, and control header assignments match only this device. Cross-compatibility with other evaluation boards (e.g., EV1HMC641ALC5) is not supported due to differences in frequency range, bit depth, package footprint, and bias requirements.