Analog Devices Inc. HMC1048LC3BTR
- Part No.:
- HMC1048LC3BTR
- Manufacturer:
- Analog Devices Inc.
- Category:
- RF Mixers
- Package:
- 12-VFCQFN Exposed Pad
- Datasheet:
-
HMC1048LC3BTR.pdf
- Description:
- IC MIXER DBL BALANCED 12SMD
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

Inventory:1,881
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Product details
Overview
HMC1048LC3BTR from Analog Devices (formerly Hittite Microwave) is a GaAs MMIC double-balanced mixer designed for RF-to-IF downconversion in 2–18 GHz systems. It delivers 11 dB typical conversion loss, +23 dBm input IP3, and operates with LO drive from +9 to +17 dBm across DC–4 GHz IF bandwidth - enabling Ka-band transponder and point-to-multipoint radio front-ends without external matching.
For engineers reviewing the HMC1048LC3BTR datasheet, HMC1048LC3BTR pinout, HMC1048LC3BTR application, or HMC1048LC3BTR equivalent, key selection criteria include its passive architecture (no DC bias), 12-lead 3×3 mm ceramic SMT package, LO/RF isolation ≥38 dB, and compatibility with surface-mount manufacturing for high-frequency test equipment and military radios.
Technical Context
The HMC1048LC3BTR implements a passive diode-ring topology with balanced LO and RF ports, eliminating DC bias requirements and enabling wideband operation from 2 to 18 GHz RF and DC to 4 GHz IF. Its monolithic GaAs construction ensures stable performance across –55°C to +85°C operating temperature.
It supports both downconverter and upconverter configurations, with spurious output data confirmed for M×N mixing products (e.g., 2LO±RF, 3LO±2RF) at ≤–20 dBc under specified drive conditions. LO drive sensitivity is optimized for +13 dBm nominal operation, delivering consistent conversion gain and IP3 across temperature and frequency sweeps.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| RF Frequency Range | 2–18 GHz - covers S-, C-, X-, Ku-, and lower Ka-band signals without band switching. |
| IF Bandwidth | DC–4 GHz - supports baseband I/Q sampling and wide instantaneous bandwidth receivers. |
| Conversion Loss | 11 dB typ. - defines signal attenuation from RF to IF port; impacts system noise figure budget directly. |
| Input IP3 | +23 dBm typ. - determines third-order intermodulation distortion floor in multi-tone RF environments. |
| LO/RF Isolation | 38 dB typ. - minimizes LO leakage into antenna path, reducing self-interference and filtering burden. |
| LO Drive Level | +9 to +17 dBm - enables use with low-power synthesizers or high-efficiency amplifiers without level-shifting circuitry. |
| Operating Temp. | –55°C to +85°C - qualified for aerospace, defense, and outdoor wireless infrastructure deployments. |
Pinout & Package
12-lead ceramic SMT package (3 × 3 × 0.85 mm), alumina body with gold-over-nickel finish, MSL3 rated, featuring exposed ground paddle for thermal and RF grounding.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1, 3, 7, 9, 10, 12 | GND | RF/DC ground terminals - must be soldered to solid ground plane with multiple vias for impedance control and thermal dissipation. |
| 2 | LO | 50 Ω matched LO input - accepts +9 to +17 dBm drive; no external bias or matching required. |
| 4, 6, 11 | N/C | No internal connection - grounded externally per evaluation board practice to stabilize RF return paths. |
| 5 | IF | DC-coupled 50 Ω IF output - supports baseband and low-IF architectures without AC coupling capacitors. |
| 8 | RF | 50 Ω matched RF input - handles up to +15.5 dBm RF input power with +18 dBm LO present. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| No DC bias required | Passive diode-ring architecture eliminates bias networks, simplifying PCB layout and improving reliability in high-temp environments. |
| High LO/RF isolation | 38 dB typ. reduces need for external LO suppression filters, lowering BOM count and insertion loss in transmit/receive modules. |
| DC–4 GHz IF bandwidth | Enables direct sampling of complex waveforms (e.g., 5G NR, radar pulses) without IF translation stages. |
| 12-lead 3×3 mm SMT package | Standardized footprint compatible with automated placement and reflow; exposed paddle enhances thermal management. |
| ESD robustness | Class 1A HBM rating (per JESD22-A114) supports handling in standard assembly lines without special ESD protocols. |
Applications
| Ka-Band Transponders | Point-to-Multipoint Radios |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: Satellite uplink/downlink signal conditioning in LEO/MEO communications payloads. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Downconverter translating 26–40 GHz RF to sub-6 GHz IF for digitization and demodulation. Use Value: High IP3 (+23 dBm) maintains linearity under multi-carrier loading; passive design avoids bias-induced drift over orbital temperature cycles. |
Use Scenario: Fixed wireless access base stations operating in 28 GHz or 39 GHz licensed bands. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: RF front-end mixer in dual-polarized active antenna arrays requiring compact, repeatable performance. Use Value: 3×3 mm SMT package enables dense array integration; 38 dB LO/RF isolation prevents cross-talk between adjacent TRX chains. |
| Test Equipment & Sensors | Military End-Use Radios |
Use Scenario: Portable spectrum analyzers and vector signal analyzers requiring broadband RF coverage. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Core downconversion element in first IF stage, supporting real-time analysis from 2–18 GHz. Use Value: DC–4 GHz IF bandwidth allows direct digitization of wide instantaneous bandwidths; no external matching reduces calibration complexity. |
Use Scenario: Tactical SATCOM and electronic warfare receivers deployed in harsh environmental conditions. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Wideband mixer in SIGINT and COMINT front-ends operating across threat frequency bands. Use Value: –55°C to +85°C operation and Class 1A ESD rating ensure field reliability; high isolation suppresses LO feedthrough in sensitive detection modes. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar double-balanced mixer applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| HMC1113LP3E | Wider RF range (1–20 GHz), higher conversion loss (13 dB typ.), same 3×3 mm package. | Better suited for 1–2 GHz legacy radar bands; less optimal for Ka-band due to degraded isolation above 15 GHz. | Select when broader low-end coverage is needed and Ka-band performance margin is acceptable. |
| QPC1006 | GaAs pHEMT-based active mixer; requires +5 V bias; 17 dB conversion gain; 10–16 GHz RF range. | Provides gain instead of loss, but adds power supply, noise, and linearity trade-offs; narrower band than HMC1048LC3BTR. | Choose only if system-level gain budget is constrained and LO power is limited; not drop-in compatible. |
Compared with HMC1113LP3E and QPC1006, the HMC1048LC3BTR offers superior Ka-band linearity and isolation without bias, making it optimal for unpowered, wideband downconversion where thermal stability and LO leakage control are critical.
Availability
HMC1048LC3BTR is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for Ka-band transponders, point-to-multipoint radios, and military-grade test equipment requiring stable component supply across extended temperature ranges and long production lifecycles.
Supply support for HMC1048LC3BTR 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 portfolio, specializing in microwave ICs for defense, aerospace, and communications infrastructure.
The HMC1048LC3BTR belongs to Hittite's legacy GaAs MMIC mixer family, engineered for broadband, bias-free downconversion in mission-critical RF systems where size, reliability, and wideband isolation are prioritized.
FAQ
What is the recommended LO drive level for optimal performance of the HMC1048LC3BTR?
The HMC1048LC3BTR achieves best conversion loss, IP3, and isolation at +13 dBm LO drive. Performance remains functional across +9 to +17 dBm, but deviation increases conversion loss by up to 2 dB and reduces IP3 by ~3 dB outside ±2 dB of nominal. The HMC1048LC3BTR does not require regulation or leveling circuitry at these drive levels.
Does the HMC1048LC3BTR support upconversion as well as downconversion?
Yes, the HMC1048LC3BTR supports both downconversion (RF→IF) and upconversion (IF→RF) modes. Spurious output data is documented for M×N products in both configurations, including 2LO±RF and LO±2RF terms measured at ≤–20 dBc. The HMC1048LC3BTR requires identical 50 Ω terminations on all ports regardless of mode.
Is external matching required when using the HMC1048LC3BTR?
No external matching is required. All ports (LO, RF, IF) are internally matched to 50 Ω across their full operating bands. The HMC1048LC3BTR is designed for direct integration into 50 Ω microstrip layouts, with ground pins and exposed paddle providing return path integrity - confirmed in Hittite's EVAL01-HMC1048LC3B reference design.
What is the thermal resistance and maximum power dissipation of the HMC1048LC3BTR?
The HMC1048LC3BTR has a junction-to-package-bottom thermal resistance (RTH) of 392 °C/W. At TA = 85 °C, maximum continuous power dissipation is 165 mW, derating linearly by 2.5 mW/°C above that temperature. The exposed ground paddle must be soldered to a thermally robust ground plane to achieve this rating - verified in the HMC1048LC3BTR absolute maximum ratings table.
Can the HMC1048LC3BTR be used in DC-coupled IF applications?
Yes, the IF port (Pin 5) is DC-coupled and 50 Ω matched, enabling direct connection to baseband ADCs or analog processors without blocking capacitors. This feature is explicitly validated in electrical specifications for IF = DC–4 GHz operation and confirmed in application schematics for test equipment and radar receivers using the HMC1048LC3BTR.
HMC1048LC3BTR Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Analog Devices Inc.
- Series:
- -
- Package/Case:
- 12-VFCQFN Exposed Pad
- Packaging:
- Tape & Reel (TR)
- Product Status:
- Obsolete
- RF Type:
- VSAT
- Frequency:
- 2GHz ~ 18GHz
- Number of Mixers:
- 1
- Gain:
- 23dB
- Noise Figure:
- -
- Secondary Attributes:
- -
- Current - Supply:
- -
- Voltage - Supply:
- -
- Mounting Type:
- Surface Mount
- Supplier Device Package:
- 12-CSMT (3x3)
HMC1048LC3BTR FAQ
1.How can I place an order for HMC1048LC3BTR through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for HMC1048LC3BTR on Aetrix. Our sales agent will provide a competitive quotation and guide you through the order confirmation once you accept the terms.
2.Are the price and stock information for HMC1048LC3BTR reliable?
The price and inventory of HMC1048LC3BTR are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for HMC1048LC3BTR is usually 5 days.
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HMC1048LC3BTR orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your HMC1048LC3BTR order is processed, you will receive an email with the shipment details and tracking number.
Note: Tracking information may take up to 24 hours to appear. Express delivery typically takes 3–5 business days.
5.How can I obtain technical support or documentation for HMC1048LC3BTR?
For technical support, including HMC1048LC3BTR datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your HMC1048LC3BTR requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that HMC1048LC3BTR is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All HMC1048LC3BTR products on Aetrix are procured from qualified distributors and authorized channels. Our dedicated quality assurance team conducts strict verification, including traceability checks and, if necessary, third-party testing. This ensures that HMC1048LC3BTR meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of HMC1048LC3BTR?
All HMC1048LC3BTR units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with HMC1048LC3BTR, returns or replacements are accepted under the following conditions:
1.Quantity discrepancies, incorrect items, or visible external defects (such as breakage or corrosion), acknowledged by Aetrix.
2.The issue is reported within 90 days of delivery.
3.The HMC1048LC3BTR part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for HMC1048LC3BTR:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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