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Analog Devices Inc. HMC557LC4
- Part No.:
- HMC557LC4
- Manufacturer:
- Analog Devices Inc.
- Category:
- RF Mixers
- Package:
- 24-TFCQFN Exposed Pad
- Datasheet:
-
HMC557LC4.pdf
- Description:
- IC MIXER FUNDAMENTAL 24SMD
- Quantity:
- Payment:
- Shipping:
Inventory:1,545
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Product details
Overview
HMC557LC4 from Analog Devices (formerly Hittite Microwave) is a GaAs MMIC double-balanced mixer used as an upconverter or downconverter in RF front-ends operating from 2.5 to 7.0 GHz RF/LO and DC–3 GHz IF. It delivers 7 dB typical conversion loss, 48 dB LO-to-RF isolation, and operates with +9 dBm minimum LO drive. It is deployed in point-to-point radios and WiMAX infrastructure.
For engineers reviewing the HMC557LC4 datasheet, HMC557LC4 pinout, HMC557LC4 application, or HMC557LC4 equivalent, key selection criteria include its passive topology, wide IF bandwidth, RoHS-compliant 4×4 mm ceramic SMT package, and compatibility with high-volume surface-mount assembly without external matching components.
Technical Context
The HMC557LC4 employs a passive double-balanced topology with integrated balun structures optimized for high LO-to-RF and LO-to-IF isolation. Its GaAs MESFET fabrication enables DC-coupled 50 Ω ports (LO, RF, IF) and eliminates need for external biasing or matching networks.
It supports both upconversion and downconversion modes across its full 2.5–7.0 GHz RF/LO range, with stable performance from –40°C to +85°C. The device achieves 22 dBm input IP3 and 50 dBm input IP2 at +15 dBm LO drive, enabling robust operation in multi-tone interference environments.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| RF/LO Frequency Range | 2.5–7.0 GHz - Covers licensed and unlicensed bands for fixed wireless and backhaul radios. |
| IF Bandwidth | DC–3 GHz - Supports baseband I/Q, wideband IF sampling, and zero-IF architectures without AC coupling. |
| Conversion Loss | 7 dB typ. - Low signal attenuation preserves system noise figure and dynamic range in receiver chains. |
| LO-to-RF Isolation | 48 dB typ. - Minimizes LO leakage into antenna paths, easing filtering requirements and reducing spurious emissions. |
| Input IP3 | 22 dBm typ. - Enables handling of strong adjacent-channel interferers in dense spectral environments. |
| LO Drive Sensitivity | +9 dBm min. - Reduces power consumption and heat generation in LO distribution networks. |
| Package | 24-lead ceramic 4×4 mm SMT - RoHS-compliant, MSL3 rated, with exposed ground paddle for thermal and RF grounding. |
Pinout & Package
24-lead leadless ceramic SMT package (4×4 mm, 16 mm²), alumina body with gold-over-nickel plating; requires soldering all ground leads and the exposed paddle directly to PCB RF ground per datasheet layout guidelines.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1, 5–7, 11–14, 18–24 | N/C | No internal connection; may be tied to RF/DC ground without performance impact. |
| 2, 4, 8, 10, 15, 17 | GND | RF/DC ground terminals; must be soldered to PCB ground plane for optimal isolation and thermal dissipation. |
| 3 | LO | DC-coupled 50 Ω input; accepts +9 to +25 dBm LO drive; no external bias or matching required. |
| 9 | IF | DC-coupled 50 Ω output; supports DC–3 GHz; current-limited to ±2 mA for DC operation. |
| 16 | RF | DC-coupled 50 Ω input/output; matched for 2.5–7.0 GHz; bidirectional use in up/downconversion. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Passive double-balanced topology | Eliminates DC bias circuitry and local oscillator harmonics, simplifying RF front-end design and improving port-to-port isolation. |
| Wide IF bandwidth (DC–3 GHz) | Enables direct baseband I/Q mixing and wideband IF digitization without external AC coupling or level-shifting. |
| High LO-to-RF isolation (48 dB) | Reduces need for bulky LO suppression filters in transceiver designs, lowering BOM cost and board area. |
| RoHS-compliant 4×4 mm SMT package | Supports automated reflow assembly at 260 °C peak; exposed paddle ensures low thermal resistance (192 °C/W) and stable RF grounding. |
| Low LO drive requirement (+9 dBm) | Lowers power consumption and heat load in LO chain; compatible with low-power synthesizers and VCOs. |
Applications
| WiMAX Base Stations | Point-to-Point Microwave Radios |
|---|---|
|
Use Scenario: Upconverting baseband I/Q signals to 3.5 GHz or 5.8 GHz licensed bands for outdoor subscriber units. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Double-balanced mixer performing final RF upconversion with minimal image and LO leakage. Use Value: 7 dB conversion loss and 48 dB LO-to-RF isolation reduce transmit filter complexity and improve ACLR compliance. |
Use Scenario: Downconverting 6–7 GHz E-band receive signals to 100–500 MHz IF for ADC sampling in licensed backhaul links. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: High-linearity downconverter enabling >20 MHz channel bandwidths with low noise figure degradation. Use Value: 22 dBm input IP3 and DC–3 GHz IF support allow wide instantaneous bandwidth and flexible digital IF processing. |
| Test Equipment Signal Generators | Military Radar Front-Ends |
|
Use Scenario: Generating precise RF tones in vector signal generators requiring low spurious output and fast frequency switching. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Fundamental mixer used in broadband synthesis paths where harmonic suppression is critical. Use Value: Passive architecture yields clean spectral output; 50 dBm input IP2 suppresses second-order intermodulation distortion. |
Use Scenario: Phase-coherent up/downconversion in EW and radar T/R modules operating across 2.5–7.0 GHz under extended temperature ranges. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Ruggedized RF mixer supporting –40°C to +85°C operation with high reliability and repeatable isolation. Use Value: Stable 48 dB LO-to-RF isolation over temperature ensures consistent EMI control in compact, thermally constrained enclosures. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar double-balanced mixer applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| HMC1048LP4CE | Wider RF/LO range (1.7–10 GHz), higher conversion loss (8.5 dB typ.), same 4×4 mm package. | Better suited for 6–10 GHz 5G FR1 and satellite comms; less optimal below 2.5 GHz. | Select when extending upper frequency coverage beyond 7 GHz while retaining SMT compatibility. |
| Qorvo QM11020 | SiGe process, lower LO drive (+13 dBm min.), narrower IF bandwidth (DC–1.5 GHz), 3×3 mm package. | Lower power LO chain but limited IF flexibility; smaller footprint trades off thermal performance. | Prefer for space-constrained, battery-powered test equipment where IF bandwidth ≤1.5 GHz suffices. |
Compared with HMC557LC4, HMC1048LP4CE extends usable RF range upward but sacrifices conversion loss, while QM11020 reduces LO power demand and size at the cost of IF bandwidth and thermal headroom-making HMC557LC4 optimal for balanced wideband IF and mid-band RF performance in infrastructure-grade designs.
Availability
HMC557LC4 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for WiMAX infrastructure, point-to-point radio systems, and military communications equipment requiring stable component supply, long-term manufacturability, and RoHS-compliant SMT assembly.
Supply support for HMC557LC4 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, delivering precision analog, RF, and microwave solutions for communications, defense, and instrumentation.
The HMC557LC4 belongs to Hittite's legacy GaAs MMIC mixer product line, engineered for high-isolation, wideband, and low-LO-drive RF front-end applications in wireless infrastructure and electronic warfare systems.
FAQ
What is the minimum LO drive level required for specified performance of the HMC557LC4?
The HMC557LC4 achieves its datasheet-specified conversion loss, isolation, and linearity with a minimum LO drive of +9 dBm. Performance degrades gradually below this level; at +7 dBm, conversion loss increases by ~1.5 dB and IP3 drops ~3 dB. For production designs, +9 dBm is the validated lower bound ensuring full specification compliance across temperature and process variation.
Can the HMC557LC4 be used for zero-IF (direct-conversion) receiver applications?
Yes, the HMC557LC4 supports zero-IF operation due to its DC–3 GHz IF bandwidth and DC-coupled IF port. However, the IF pin must not source or sink more than ±2 mA DC current. For true DC-coupled I/Q demodulation, external baseband amplifiers must respect this current limit and provide appropriate common-mode biasing without violating the HMC557LC4's absolute maximum ratings.
Does the HMC557LC4 require external matching components or bias tees?
No, the HMC557LC4 is a fully matched, passive double-balanced mixer with 50 Ω DC-coupled LO, RF, and IF ports. It requires no external matching networks, bias tees, or DC blocking capacitors for standard operation. Only the IF port needs optional external DC blocking if DC response is not required-otherwise, it must remain DC-connected with current compliance.
What is the thermal resistance and maximum power dissipation of the HMC557LC4?
The HMC557LC4 has a channel-to-ground-paddle thermal resistance of 192 °C/W. At +85 °C ambient, its continuous power dissipation is 339 mW, derating linearly by 5.2 mW/°C above that temperature. This allows safe operation up to +125 °C case temperature under proper PCB thermal design with ≥6 thermal vias under the exposed paddle.
Is the HMC557LC4 pin-compatible with other Hittite mixer variants like HMC558LC4 or HMC559LC4?
No, the HMC557LC4 is not pin-compatible with HMC558LC4 (2.5–5.0 GHz, different IF optimization) or HMC559LC4 (5.0–10.0 GHz, altered balun layout). While all share the same 24-lead 4×4 mm footprint, pin functions differ-especially for IF and LO routing-and electrical performance is not interchangeable across frequency bands. Each requires dedicated layout validation.
HMC557LC4 Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Analog Devices Inc.
- Series:
- -
- Package/Case:
- 24-TFCQFN Exposed Pad
- Packaging:
- Strip
- Product Status:
- Obsolete
- RF Type:
- General Purpose
- Frequency:
- 2.5GHz ~ 7GHz
- Number of Mixers:
- 1
- Gain:
- -
- Noise Figure:
- 8.5dB
- Secondary Attributes:
- Up/Down Converter
- Current - Supply:
- -
- Voltage - Supply:
- -
- Mounting Type:
- Surface Mount
- Supplier Device Package:
- 24-CQFN (4x4)
HMC557LC4 FAQ
1.How can I place an order for HMC557LC4 through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for HMC557LC4 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 HMC557LC4 reliable?
The price and inventory of HMC557LC4 are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for HMC557LC4 is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for HMC557LC4?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for HMC557LC4 transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for HMC557LC4?
HMC557LC4 orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your HMC557LC4 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 HMC557LC4?
For technical support, including HMC557LC4 datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your HMC557LC4 requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that HMC557LC4 is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All HMC557LC4 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 HMC557LC4 meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of HMC557LC4?
All HMC557LC4 units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with HMC557LC4, 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 HMC557LC4 part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for HMC557LC4:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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