Analog Devices Inc. HMC621LP4E
- Part No.:
- HMC621LP4E
- Manufacturer:
- Analog Devices Inc.
- Category:
- RF Mixers
- Package:
- 24-VFQFN Exposed Pad
- Datasheet:
-
HMC621LP4E.pdf
- Description:
- IC RFIC DOWNCONVERTER 24-QFN
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

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Product details
Overview
HMC621LP4E from Analog Devices (formerly Hittite Microwave) is a highly integrated RFIC downconverter IC designed for cellular/3G/LTE/WiMAX/4G transceivers. It operates with 0.9–1.6 GHz RF input, 0.85–1.1 GHz LO, and 50–500 MHz IF output; delivers 30 dB typical conversion gain, +33 dBm output IP3, and 4.5 dB noise figure at +5 V bias.
For engineers reviewing the HMC621LP4E datasheet, HMC621LP4E pinout, HMC621LP4E application, or HMC621LP4E equivalent, key selection criteria include its low 0 dBm LO drive requirement, high LO-to-RF isolation (45 dB), compact 4×4 mm SMT package, and suitability for BTS infrastructure, femtocells, and public safety radio front-ends.
Technical Context
The HMC621LP4E integrates a single-balanced mixer core with on-die RF, LO, and IF amplifiers - enabling full downconversion functionality in one die. Its architecture supports low-side LO injection and DC-coupled IF output, with internal biasing controlled via external resistor R1 on RES pin.
It features matched 50 Ω RF/LO/IF ports (RFIN, LOIN, MIXIF, IFOUT, RFOUT), requires no external LO buffer, and achieves stable performance across –40°C to +85°C. The exposed ground paddle and 24-lead QFN package ensure thermal robustness and RF grounding integrity.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| RF Frequency Range | 0.9–1.6 GHz - covers primary LTE Band 5/8/20/28 and WiMAX 2.3/2.5 GHz front-end downconversion. |
| Conversion Gain | 30 dB typical - eliminates need for external IF gain stages in compact transceiver designs. |
| Output IP3 | +33 dBm - enables handling of strong interferers in dense cellular base station environments. |
| Noise Figure (SSB) | 4.5 dB - ensures high sensitivity in low-SNR reception scenarios such as repeaters and femtocells. |
| LO Drive Level | 0 dBm - reduces LO chain complexity and power consumption versus traditional +10 dBm mixers. |
| LO-to-RF Isolation | 45 dB - minimizes LO leakage into antenna path, easing filtering requirements in TDD/FDD systems. |
| Supply Current | 250 mA @ +5 V - defines thermal load and PCB copper area needed for ground paddle soldering. |
| Operating Temp | –40°C to +85°C - qualified for outdoor BTS, small cell, and public safety radio deployment. |
Pinout & Package
Package: 24-lead, 4 mm × 4 mm × 0.85 mm RoHS-compliant QFN with exposed ground paddle (MSL1, 260°C peak reflow). Requires soldering of all ground leads and paddle to PCB RF ground plane per Hittite Application Note.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (VddRF) | RF amplifier supply | Requires choke inductor + bypass caps; sets RF amp bias current with external R1 on Pin 2. |
| 2 (RES) | RF amplifier current control | External bias resistor (e.g., 3.92 kΩ) sets IddRF; enables gain/noise trade-off tuning. |
| 3 (RFIN) | 50 Ω RF input | DC-blocked, matched input port; connects directly to LNA output or antenna switch. |
| 5 (GND) | Ground reference | Backside exposed paddle must be soldered to solid ground plane for thermal and RF stability. |
| 9 (LOIN) | 50 Ω LO input | AC-coupled; accepts 0 dBm LO drive without external buffer; supports low/high-side injection. |
| 12 (VddLO) | LO amplifier supply | Bypass capacitor required; powers internal LO buffer amplifier. |
| 14 (MIXIF) | DC-coupled IF output | Direct connection to IF filter/ADC; must not sink/source >40 mA to avoid damage. |
| 15 (IFIN) | DC-coupled IF input | Requires off-chip DC blocking cap; used when operating in reverse (upconversion mode). |
| 17 (IFOUT) | IF output & Vcc | Provides DC bias to output stage; also carries IF signal - decoupling critical for noise control. |
| 21 (MIXRF) | DC-coupled RF output | Used only in upconversion mode; otherwise NC in downconversion configuration. |
| 22 (RFOUT) | 50 Ω RF output | Matched output port; used in upconversion; left unterminated in standard downconverter use. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Integrated RF/LO/IF amplifiers | Eliminates 3–4 discrete gain stages, reducing BOM count, layout area, and matching complexity. |
| Low 0 dBm LO drive | Enables direct connection to low-power synthesizers or divide-by-2 PLL outputs, cutting LO chain power by ~50%. |
| +33 dBm output IP3 | Supports coexistence with adjacent channel interferers in multi-carrier LTE base stations without front-end attenuation. |
| 4.5 dB noise figure | Preserves system sensitivity in cascaded receiver chains where first-stage NF dominates overall G/T ratio. |
| 4×4 mm QFN with ground paddle | Provides <48 °C/W thermal resistance and consistent RF grounding - critical for repeatable production RF performance. |
Applications
| Cellular Base Station Transceivers | Femtocell & Small Cell Radios |
|---|---|
|
Use Scenario: Downconverting 1.8 GHz LTE signals to 120 MHz IF in macro BTS receive path. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Primary RFIC downconverter performing RF→IF translation with integrated gain and filtering interface. Use Value: 30 dB conversion gain and +33 dBm OIP3 maintain dynamic range across 20 MHz channel bandwidth under high adjacent-channel interference. |
Use Scenario: Compact indoor femtocell supporting dual-band 3G/LTE operation with minimal footprint. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Single-chip downconverter enabling integration of RF front-end onto 4-layer PCB without external amplifiers. Use Value: 0 dBm LO drive and 4.5 dB NF allow use of low-cost integer-N synthesizers while meeting 3GPP sensitivity specs. |
| Public Safety Radio Receivers | WiMAX Access Point Front-Ends |
|
Use Scenario: Wideband 700 MHz public safety band receiver requiring high linearity and low phase noise impact. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: High-isolation downconverter minimizing LO feedthrough into sensitive analog baseband circuits. Use Value: 45 dB LO-to-RF isolation prevents desensitization during simultaneous transmit/receive in TDD configurations. |
Use Scenario: 2.5 GHz WiMAX AP downconverting to 180 MHz IF for OFDMA demodulation. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Integrated mixer+amplifier simplifying IF chain design and improving group delay flatness vs. discrete solutions. Use Value: 50–500 MHz IF bandwidth supports variable channel widths (3.5/5/7/10 MHz) without hardware change. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar RFIC downconverter applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| HMC1040LP4E | Wider RF range (0.7–2.7 GHz), higher 35 dBm OIP3, but requires +7 dBm LO drive and draws 380 mA. | Better suited for wideband military/comms; less optimal for LTE femtocells due to higher LO power and current. | Choose HMC1040LP4E only if RF bandwidth >1.6 GHz or OIP3 >+33 dBm is mandatory. |
| ADL5360ACPZ-R7 | 0.4–1.0 GHz RF range, 22 dB conversion gain, 4.8 dB NF, +27 dBm OIP3, +7 dBm LO drive, 20-lead LFCSP. | Lower integration (no LO amp), narrower RF band, lower linearity - suitable for cost-sensitive consumer radios. | Select ADL5360ACPZ-R7 for sub-1 GHz ISM or narrowband IoT gateways where size and LO power are secondary. |
Compared with HMC1040LP4E and ADL5360ACPZ-R7, the HMC621LP4E uniquely balances 0.9–1.6 GHz LTE coverage, ultra-low 0 dBm LO drive, and +33 dBm OIP3 in a thermally optimized 4×4 mm package - making it the preferred choice for space-constrained, power-sensitive 4G infrastructure designs.
Availability
HMC621LP4E is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for cellular infrastructure, small cell radios, and public safety communications equipment requiring stable component supply and long-term lifecycle support.
Supply support for HMC621LP4E 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 product lines with full technical documentation and application support.
The HMC621LP4E belongs to Hittite's legacy RFIC downconverter family, engineered specifically for compact, high-linearity wireless infrastructure transceivers operating in licensed cellular bands.
FAQ
What is the recommended LO drive level for optimal performance of the HMC621LP4E?
The HMC621LP4E is specified for optimal conversion gain, noise figure, and IP3 at a nominal LO drive level of 0 dBm. Performance remains stable across –3 to +3 dBm, but deviation beyond this range degrades linearity and increases conversion loss. The HMC621LP4E does not require an external LO buffer amplifier when driven within this range.
Can the HMC621LP4E be used in upconversion mode?
Yes, the HMC621LP4E supports bidirectional operation. In upconversion mode, RFOUT (Pin 22) becomes the RF output, MIXRF (Pin 21) serves as the RF input, and IFIN (Pin 15) acts as the IF input. The datasheet confirms functional operation in both directions, though RF-to-IF conversion is the primary intended use case for the HMC621LP4E.
What is the function of the RES pin (Pin 2) on the HMC621LP4E?
The RES pin (Pin 2) on the HMC621LP4E sets the DC bias current of the internal RF amplifier via an external resistor. A 3.92 kΩ resistor yields 88 mA IddRF at +5 V, optimizing gain and noise figure. Adjusting this resistor allows trade-offs between conversion gain, NF, and power consumption - a key tuning parameter for system-level receiver optimization in the HMC621LP4E.
Is the HMC621LP4E pin-compatible with the HMC621LP4?
Yes, the HMC621LP4E is the RoHS-compliant drop-in replacement for the legacy HMC621LP4. Both share identical pinout, electrical specifications, and mechanical outline. The only differences are lead finish (100% matte Sn vs. Sn/Pb) and maximum reflow temperature (260°C vs. 235°C), confirmed in the official Package Information table for the HMC621LP4E.
What thermal management is required for continuous operation of the HMC621LP4E?
The HMC621LP4E has a junction-to-ground-paddle thermal resistance of 47.9 °C/W and dissipates up to 1.36 W at 85°C ambient. To maintain junction temperature ≤125°C, the PCB must provide ≥6–8 thermal vias under the exposed paddle, connect to a solid inner ground plane, and avoid thermal isolation. The HMC621LP4E datasheet mandates soldering all ground leads and the paddle to ensure reliable thermal conduction.
HMC621LP4E Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Analog Devices Inc.
- Series:
- -
- Package/Case:
- 24-VFQFN Exposed Pad
- Packaging:
- Strip
- Product Status:
- Obsolete
- RF Type:
- LTE, WiMax
- Frequency:
- 900MHz ~ 1.6GHz
- Number of Mixers:
- 1
- Gain:
- 27dB
- Noise Figure:
- 4.5dB
- Secondary Attributes:
- Down Converter
- Current - Supply:
- 250mA
- Voltage - Supply:
- 5V
- Mounting Type:
- Surface Mount
- Supplier Device Package:
- 24-QFN (4x4)
HMC621LP4E FAQ
1.How can I place an order for HMC621LP4E through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for HMC621LP4E 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 HMC621LP4E reliable?
The price and inventory of HMC621LP4E are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for HMC621LP4E is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for HMC621LP4E?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for HMC621LP4E transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for HMC621LP4E?
HMC621LP4E orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your HMC621LP4E 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 HMC621LP4E?
For technical support, including HMC621LP4E datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your HMC621LP4E requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that HMC621LP4E is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All HMC621LP4E 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 HMC621LP4E meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of HMC621LP4E?
All HMC621LP4E units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with HMC621LP4E, 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 HMC621LP4E part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for HMC621LP4E:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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