Analog Devices Inc. HMC684LP4E
- Part No.:
- HMC684LP4E
- Manufacturer:
- Analog Devices Inc.
- Category:
- RF Mixers
- Package:
- 24-VFQFN Exposed Pad
- Datasheet:
-
HMC684LP4E.pdf
- Description:
- IC MMIC MIXER LO AMP 24-QFN
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

Inventory:1,260
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Product details
Overview
HMC684LP4E from Analog Devices (formerly Hittite Microwave) is a BiCMOS MMIC double-balanced mixer with integrated LO amplifier, designed for RF-to-IF downconversion and upconversion in 700–1000 MHz systems. It delivers 7 dB typical conversion loss, +32 dBm input IP3, and +25 dBm input P1dB at 0 dBm LO drive, supporting cellular infrastructure transceivers requiring high linearity and wide dynamic range.
For engineers reviewing the HMC684LP4E datasheet, HMC684LP4E pinout, HMC684LP4E application, or HMC684LP4E equivalent, key selection criteria include its 24-lead 4×4 mm QFN package, DC–450 MHz IF bandwidth, LO-to-RF isolation ≥23 dB, and compatibility with low-side LO injection in GSM/CDMA/LTE base station signal chains.
Technical Context
The HMC684LP4E implements a passive double-balanced mixer core with on-die LO buffer amplifier, enabling operation with only −6 to +3 dBm external LO drive. Its internal balun-matched 50 Ω RF and LO ports eliminate external matching components, while differential IFN/IFP pins support DC-coupled or AC-coupled 50 Ω differential IF interfaces.
It operates across −40°C to +85°C with supply voltages of +4.75 V to +5.25 V on three independent Vcc pins (Vcc1–Vcc3), drawing 85–100 mA total current. The device supports both upconversion and downconversion modes and maintains stable IP3 (>30 dBm) and conversion gain over temperature and frequency within its 0.7–1.0 GHz RF band.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| RF Frequency Range | 0.7–1.0 GHz - covers full LTE Band 13/17/20 and GSM 850/900 transmit/receive bands. |
| LO Frequency Range | 0.6–1.0 GHz - enables low-side injection for downconversion with 100 MHz IF or higher. |
| IF Bandwidth | DC to 450 MHz - supports baseband I/Q sampling and wideband OFDM signals without external IF filtering. |
| Conversion Loss | 7 dB typical - reduces system noise figure impact and simplifies gain staging in receiver front-ends. |
| Input IP3 | +32 dBm - enables handling of strong adjacent-channel interferers in multi-carrier base station receivers. |
| LO-to-RF Isolation | ≥23 dB - minimizes LO leakage into antenna paths, easing filter requirements in FDD transceivers. |
| Supply Current | 85–100 mA at +5 V - enables efficient power budgeting in compact RF modules with thermal constraints. |
Pinout & Package
Package: 24-lead, 4 mm × 4 mm × 0.85 mm RoHS-compliant QFN with exposed thermal paddle; MSL1 rating; 100% matte tin plating; max reflow 260 °C.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1, 6, 7, 11–14, 18, 20, 23 | N/C | No internal connection; may be tied to RF ground without performance impact. |
| 2, 5, 15, 17 | GND | RF/DC ground reference; must connect directly to PCB ground plane via multiple vias. |
| 3 | RF | Single-ended 50 Ω RF input/output port, DC-short through internal balun - no external DC blocking required. |
| 4 | TAP | Center tap of RF balun secondary; must be shorted to ground with zero-ohm resistor near package. |
| 8, 10, 24 | Vcc1, Vcc2, Vcc3 | Independent 5 V supply pins for LO buffer, mixer core, and IF stage - decoupling required per pin. |
| 9 | LO_BIAS | Adjusts LO buffer bias current via external resistor - sets LO drive level and power consumption. |
| 16 | LO | Single-ended 50 Ω LO input, DC-short through internal balun - eliminates need for external LO coupling capacitor. |
| 19 | G_BIAS | Optional external bias node for fine-tuning IF stage performance or optimizing linearity. |
| 21, 22 | IFN, IFP | Differential 50 Ω IF output/input pair - supports true differential signaling or single-ended conversion with external balun. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Integrated LO amplifier | Reduces external LO driver count and board space; accepts −6 to +3 dBm drive for flexible source integration. |
| DC–450 MHz IF bandwidth | Enables direct sampling of baseband I/Q signals and wideband modulation formats like 20 MHz LTE. |
| High input IP3 (+32 dBm) | Supports multi-carrier operation in macrocell base stations without front-end attenuation or compression. |
| Low conversion loss (7 dB typ.) | Lowers cascaded noise figure and relaxes gain distribution requirements in sensitive receiver designs. |
| 24-pin 4×4 mm QFN package | Provides compact RF layout footprint with thermal paddle for reliable power dissipation up to 0.69 W. |
Applications
| Cellular Base Station Receiver | GSM/CDMA Transmitter |
|---|---|
|
Use Scenario: Downconverting 900 MHz RF signals to 100 MHz IF in macrocell BTS receive path with multi-carrier interference. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Double-balanced mixer with integrated LO amplifier performing RF-to-IF translation and LO amplification. Use Value: +32 dBm IP3 suppresses adjacent-channel blockers; 7 dB conversion loss preserves SNR before ADC sampling. |
Use Scenario: Upconverting 100 MHz baseband I/Q signals to 850 MHz for GSM transmit chain with spectral purity requirements. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Double-balanced mixer with integrated LO amplifier performing IF-to-RF translation and LO amplification. Use Value: LO-to-RF isolation ≥23 dB minimizes LO feedthrough; DC–450 MHz IF bandwidth accommodates full GSM channel bandwidth. |
| WiMAX/LTE Repeaters | OFDM Signal Analyzer Front-End |
|
Use Scenario: Bidirectional signal translation in outdoor repeaters operating across 700–1000 MHz licensed bands. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Dual-mode mixer supporting simultaneous up/down conversion with shared LO path. Use Value: +25 dBm P1dB handles high-power repeater output without compression; 24-pin QFN enables compact dual-path layout. |
Use Scenario: Capturing wide instantaneous bandwidth OFDM waveforms in lab-grade signal analyzers with DC-coupled IF interface. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: High-linearity passive mixer with differential IF output feeding ADC input stage. Use Value: DC–450 MHz IF bandwidth captures full 20+ MHz OFDM symbols without aliasing; differential IF reduces common-mode noise. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar RF mixer applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| HMC685LP4E | Same 24-pin 4×4 mm QFN package and pinout; RF range shifted to 1.7–2.2 GHz; identical LO amplifier architecture and IF bandwidth. | Targets PCS/UMTS/WiMAX 2.5 GHz bands instead of sub-1 GHz cellular; not interchangeable without RF/LO filter redesign. | Select HMC685LP4E only when operating above 1.7 GHz; pin compatibility eases platform reuse but RF path must be retuned. |
| ADL5801ACPZ-R7 | Active double-balanced mixer; 300–3000 MHz RF range; requires +5 V supply and 0 dBm LO; 8.5 dB conversion gain (not loss); 24-lead 4×4 mm LFCSP. | Provides conversion gain instead of loss; better suited for low-SNR receive chains where gain before ADC is critical. | Choose ADL5801ACPZ-R7 when system gain budget demands active mixing; accept higher power draw (125 mA) and different noise figure trade-off. |
Compared with HMC684LP4E, HMC685LP4E offers identical form-factor and bias architecture but targets higher-frequency bands, while ADL5801ACPZ-R7 provides conversion gain and wider RF coverage at the cost of higher current and different noise performance - selection depends on whether loss vs. gain, frequency band, and power envelope dominate the design.
Availability
HMC684LP4E is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for cellular infrastructure, WiMAX repeaters, and OFDM test equipment requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle support, and RoHS-compliant packaging.
Supply support for HMC684LP4E 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 integrates its high-frequency RF portfolio into precision analog and RF solutions for communications, defense, and instrumentation markets.
The HMC684LP4E belongs to Hittite's legacy BiCMOS MMIC mixer family, engineered specifically for high-dynamic-range wireless infrastructure applications demanding wide IF bandwidth, high linearity, and integrated LO drive.
FAQ
What is the recommended LO drive level for optimal performance of the HMC684LP4E?
The HMC684LP4E achieves best linearity and conversion loss at 0 dBm LO drive, with specified operation from −6 dBm to +3 dBm. At 0 dBm, it delivers 7 dB typical conversion loss and +32 dBm input IP3. Lower LO drive increases conversion loss and degrades IP3; exceeding +3 dBm risks saturation of the internal LO amplifier and potential reliability impact.
Can the HMC684LP4E be used for upconversion, and what IF configuration is required?
Yes, the HMC684LP4E supports both upconversion and downconversion. For upconversion, apply the baseband or IF signal to the differential IFN/IFP pins and route the RF output from pin 3. The DC–450 MHz IF bandwidth allows direct connection of I/Q DAC outputs without AC coupling, provided DC balance is maintained in the signal chain.
How should the TAP pin (pin 4) be connected in the HMC684LP4E application circuit?
Pin 4 (TAP) is the center tap of the internal RF balun secondary and must be shorted to RF ground using a zero-ohm resistor placed as close as possible to the package edge. This connection ensures proper balun operation and maintains 50 Ω impedance matching at the RF port; leaving it floating degrades return loss and conversion performance.
Does the HMC684LP4E require external DC blocking capacitors on RF or LO ports?
No - the HMC684LP4E integrates DC shorts on both RF (pin 3) and LO (pin 16) ports via internal baluns, eliminating the need for external DC blocking capacitors. However, an external DC blocking capacitor is recommended on the IF path if the application does not require DC coupling, to prevent bias interaction between stages.
What thermal management practices are required for reliable operation of the HMC684LP4E?
The HMC684LP4E has a thermal resistance of 58 °C/W (channel to ground paddle). To maintain junction temperature ≤125 °C at maximum dissipation (0.69 W), the exposed paddle must be soldered to a solid copper ground plane with ≥6 thermal vias (0.3 mm diameter) connecting to inner/secondary ground layers. Board layout must avoid thermal isolation around the package.
HMC684LP4E 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:
- 700MHz ~ 1GHz
- Number of Mixers:
- 1
- Gain:
- -
- Noise Figure:
- 7dB
- Secondary Attributes:
- Up/Down Converter
- Current - Supply:
- 85mA
- Voltage - Supply:
- 4.75V ~ 5.25V
- Mounting Type:
- Surface Mount
- Supplier Device Package:
- 24-QFN (4x4)
HMC684LP4E FAQ
1.How can I place an order for HMC684LP4E through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for HMC684LP4E 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 HMC684LP4E reliable?
The price and inventory of HMC684LP4E are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for HMC684LP4E is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for HMC684LP4E?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for HMC684LP4E transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for HMC684LP4E?
HMC684LP4E orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your HMC684LP4E 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 HMC684LP4E?
For technical support, including HMC684LP4E datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your HMC684LP4E requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that HMC684LP4E is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All HMC684LP4E 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 HMC684LP4E meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of HMC684LP4E?
All HMC684LP4E units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with HMC684LP4E, 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 HMC684LP4E part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for HMC684LP4E:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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