Analog Devices Inc. HMC421QS16ETR
- Part No.:
- HMC421QS16ETR
- Manufacturer:
- Analog Devices Inc.
- Category:
- RF Mixers
- Package:
- 16-SSOP (0.154", 3.90mm Width)
- Datasheet:
-
HMC421QS16ETR.pdf
- Description:
- IC MIXER LO/IF AMP 16SSOP
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

Inventory:4,641
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Product details
Overview
HMC421QS16ETR from Analog Devices (formerly Hittite Microwave) is a high-linearity passive RF downconverter IC designed for PCS/UMTS infrastructure receivers. It delivers +19 dBm input IP3, 9 dB conversion gain, and 9 dB single-sideband noise figure across 1.4–2.3 GHz RF input, with 50–300 MHz IF output and +5 V single-supply operation at 60 mA - enabling high-dynamic-range signal translation in cellular base station front-ends.
For engineers reviewing the HMC421QS16ETR datasheet, HMC421QS16ETR pinout, HMC421QS16ETR application, or HMC421QS16ETR equivalent, key selection criteria include its no-balun architecture, LO-to-RF isolation ≥29 dB, RF-to-IF isolation ≥42 dB, and compatibility with +8 to +12 dBm LO drive - critical for UMTS/WCDMA receiver design where third-order distortion suppression and thermal stability over −40°C to +85°C are mandatory.
Technical Context
The HMC421QS16ETR integrates a passive double-balanced mixer core with on-die LO and IF amplifiers, eliminating external baluns while maintaining broadband RF matching (1.7–2.5 GHz at RF port, 1.3–2.5 GHz at LO port). Its DC-coupled RF input and AC-coupled LO input support direct integration into compact SMT receiver chains.
Operation relies on independent biasing of LO and IF amplifier sections via dedicated Vdd LO (Pin 5) and Vdd IF (Pin 6) pins, with IF output (Pin 10) requiring external pull-up inductor L1 and matching network (C5, C6, L2). Bias current is set by external resistor R1 (6.8 Ω) connected to IF Bias (Pin 8).
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| RF Frequency Range | 1.4–2.3 GHz - covers full PCS (1.85–1.99 GHz) and UMTS (1.92–2.17 GHz) bands without retuning. |
| Input IP3 (IIP3) | +19 dBm typical - enables handling of strong adjacent-channel interferers in dense cellular environments. |
| Conversion Gain | 9 dB typical - reduces need for post-mixer amplification, lowering system noise figure and power consumption. |
| Noise Figure (SSB) | 9 dB typical - preserves signal integrity in low-SNR base station receive paths. |
| LO Drive Requirement | +8 to +12 dBm - compatible with standard +10 dBm LO synthesizers; avoids costly high-power LO sources. |
| Supply Voltage & Current | +5 V @ 60 mA total - simplifies power delivery with single rail; supports thermal operation up to +85°C ambient. |
| LO–RF Isolation | ≥29 dB - minimizes LO leakage into antenna path, easing filtering requirements and improving transmitter/receiver duplexing. |
| Operating Temperature | −40°C to +85°C - qualified for outdoor macrocell and remote radio head deployments. |
Pinout & Package
Package: 16-lead QSOP (Quad Small Outline Package), RoHS-compliant, matte tin finish, MSL1 rating, 260°C peak reflow.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1, 7, 9, 14, 16 | N/C | No internal connection - must remain unconnected; floating or grounded per layout best practice. |
| 2 | LO Input | AC-coupled 50 Ω port for LO signal (1.3–2.5 GHz); requires external DC blocking capacitor. |
| 3, 4, 11, 12, 13 | GND | RF ground reference - all must be soldered directly to PCB ground plane with multiple vias for low-inductance return. |
| 5 | Vdd LO | Power supply for LO amplifier - requires 10,000 pF RF bypass capacitor to ground. |
| 6 | Vdd IF | Bias voltage for IF amplifier - requires separate 10,000 pF RF bypass capacitor to ground. |
| 8 | IF Bias | DC bias setting node - connects to external 6.8 Ω resistor to set IF amplifier quiescent current. |
| 10 | IF Output | Differential-capable IF output (50–300 MHz); requires pull-up inductor (L1) and matching network (C5/C6/L2). |
| 15 | RF Input | DC-coupled 50 Ω RF port (1.7–2.5 GHz); no external balun needed due to integrated transformerless architecture. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| No external balun required | Integrated passive mixer topology eliminates discrete baluns, reducing BOM count and board area by >30% in macrocell designs. |
| +19 dBm IIP3 performance | Enables coexistence with high-power adjacent transmitters in multi-band base stations without desensitization. |
| Independent LO/IF biasing | Separate Vdd LO (Pin 5) and Vdd IF (Pin 6) allow optimized power partitioning and thermal management in high-density RF modules. |
| DC-coupled RF input | Supports baseband-coupled architectures and eliminates DC-blocking capacitor insertion loss at RF port. |
| −40°C to +85°C operating range | Validated for outdoor deployment in uncontrolled enclosures, including remote radio units and distributed antenna systems. |
Applications
| UMTS Base Station Receiver | WCDMA Femtocell Front-End |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: Downconversion of 1.92–2.17 GHz UMTS signals to 100–250 MHz IF in macrocell transceivers. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: High-linearity RFIC downconverter providing signal translation with minimal added distortion. Use Value: +19 dBm IIP3 ensures robust rejection of two-tone intermodulation products from nearby GSM/PCS carriers. |
Use Scenario: Compact IF generation in residential WCDMA femtocells operating at 2.1 GHz band. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Integrated mixer+IF amplifier delivering 9 dB gain and 9 dB NF without external active stages. Use Value: Eliminates balun and reduces external component count by 4–6 parts, cutting PCB area by ~15 mm². |
| GSM/EDGE Infrastructure | CDMA2000 Baseband Interface |
Use Scenario: Dual-band (900/1800 MHz) receiver support in legacy GSM/EDGE macro base stations. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Wideband downconverter covering 1.4–2.3 GHz RF span with stable gain flatness ±1 dB. Use Value: Single device replaces two narrowband mixers, simplifying inventory and calibration across frequency variants. |
Use Scenario: IF interface between CDMA2000 RF front-end and digital baseband processor at 190–250 MHz. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Low-noise, high-isolation downconverter ensuring clean IF signal delivery to ADC input. Use Value: LO-to-IF isolation ≥42 dB prevents LO feedthrough from corrupting ADC dynamic range. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar RF downconverter applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| HMC1040LP4E | Wider RF range (0.8–3.8 GHz), higher IIP3 (+22 dBm), but requires +8 V supply and consumes 120 mA. | Targeted at multi-standard (LTE/LTE-A) macro base stations needing broader frequency coverage. | Select when wider bandwidth and higher linearity justify increased power and voltage complexity. |
| ADL5802ACPZ-R7 | Lower IIP3 (+15.5 dBm), 3.3 V operation, integrated LO buffer, but narrower RF range (700–2700 MHz). | Suitable for cost-sensitive small cells and portable test equipment with constrained supply rails. | Choose for 3.3 V systems where moderate linearity suffices and footprint is prioritized over ultimate IP3. |
Compared with HMC1040LP4E and ADL5802ACPZ-R7, the HMC421QS16ETR offers optimal balance of +19 dBm IIP3, +5 V operation, and 1.4–2.3 GHz focus - making it the preferred choice for UMTS-optimized infrastructure where thermal efficiency and balun elimination are decisive.
Availability
HMC421QS16ETR is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for UMTS base station receivers, WCDMA femtocell front-ends, and GSM/EDGE infrastructure requiring stable component supply, long-lifecycle support, and guaranteed traceable sourcing.
Supply support for HMC421QS16ETR 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 RFIC portfolio for wireless infrastructure, defense, and test instrumentation.
The HMC421QS16ETR belongs to Hittite's legacy PCS/UMTS RFIC downconverter family, engineered specifically for high-IP3, low-noise, balun-free receiver chains in cellular base station applications.
FAQ
What is the RF frequency range supported by the HMC421QS16ETR?
The HMC421QS16ETR supports an RF input frequency range of 1.4–2.3 GHz, segmented as 1.4–1.6 GHz, 1.7–2.0 GHz, and 2.0–2.3 GHz per datasheet specifications. This fully covers PCS (1.85–1.99 GHz) and UMTS (1.92–2.17 GHz) bands, with verified performance including ≥6 dB conversion gain and ≤11 dB noise figure across all sub-bands.
Does the HMC421QS16ETR require external baluns for operation?
No, the HMC421QS16ETR does not require external baluns. Its passive double-balanced mixer architecture and integrated on-die matching networks enable direct 50 Ω interfacing at both RF (DC-coupled) and LO (AC-coupled) ports across 1.7–2.5 GHz and 1.3–2.5 GHz respectively - a key differentiator confirmed in the functional diagram and application circuit.
What is the recommended LO drive level for optimal performance of the HMC421QS16ETR?
The HMC421QS16ETR is specified for optimal conversion gain, noise figure, and IP3 performance at +10 dBm LO drive, with acceptable operation across +8 to +12 dBm. At +10 dBm, typical conversion gain is 9 dB and input IP3 reaches +19 dBm; deviations outside this range degrade linearity or increase noise figure per measured SSB NF vs. LO drive plots.
How is bias configured for the IF amplifier section in the HMC421QS16ETR?
The IF amplifier bias in the HMC421QS16ETR is set via Pin 8 (IF Bias), which connects to an external 6.8 Ω resistor to ground. This resistor establishes the quiescent current for the IF amplifier stage. Simultaneously, dedicated Vdd IF (Pin 6) supplies bias voltage and requires a 10,000 pF RF bypass capacitor, as documented in the Pin Descriptions and Application Circuit sections.
Is the HMC421QS16ETR still in active production or marked obsolete?
The HMC421QS16ETR is marked OBSOLETE in the provided documentation, reflecting end-of-life status under Analog Devices' product lifecycle policy. However, Aetrix Electronics maintains legacy inventory and offers extended supply support, including traceable sourcing and BOM continuity management, for ongoing production programs reliant on this proven UMTS downconverter IC.
HMC421QS16ETR Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Analog Devices Inc.
- Series:
- -
- Package/Case:
- 16-SSOP (0.154", 3.90mm Width)
- Packaging:
- Tape & Reel (TR)
- Product Status:
- Obsolete
- RF Type:
- Cellular, WCDMA, CDMA, GSM
- Frequency:
- 1.4GHz ~ 2.3GHz
- Number of Mixers:
- 1
- Gain:
- 9dB
- Noise Figure:
- 11dB
- Secondary Attributes:
- Down Converter
- Current - Supply:
- 84mA
- Voltage - Supply:
- 4.5V ~ 5.5V
- Mounting Type:
- Surface Mount
- Supplier Device Package:
- 16-QSOP
HMC421QS16ETR FAQ
1.How can I place an order for HMC421QS16ETR through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for HMC421QS16ETR 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 HMC421QS16ETR reliable?
The price and inventory of HMC421QS16ETR are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for HMC421QS16ETR is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for HMC421QS16ETR?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for HMC421QS16ETR transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for HMC421QS16ETR?
HMC421QS16ETR orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your HMC421QS16ETR 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 HMC421QS16ETR?
For technical support, including HMC421QS16ETR datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your HMC421QS16ETR requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that HMC421QS16ETR is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All HMC421QS16ETR 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 HMC421QS16ETR meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of HMC421QS16ETR?
All HMC421QS16ETR units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with HMC421QS16ETR, 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 HMC421QS16ETR part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for HMC421QS16ETR:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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