12.47 GHz to 13.72 GHz MMIC VCO with Half
Frequency Output
Data Sheet HMC1168
Rev. A Document Feedback
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Tel: 781.329.4700 ©2016–2017 Analog Devices, Inc. All rights reserved.
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FEATURES
Dual output frequency range
fOUT = 12.47 GHz to 13.72 GHz
fOUT/2 = 6.235 GHz to 6.86 GHz
Output power (POUT): 10 dBm
Single-sideband (SSB) phase noise: −113 dBc/Hz at 100 kHz
No external resonator needed
RoHS compliant, 5 mm × 5 mm, 32-lead LFCSP: 25 mm²
APPLICATIONS
Point to point and multipoint radios
Test equipment and industrial controls
Very small aperture terminals (VSATs)
FUNCTIONAL BLOCK DIAGRAM
17
1
3
4
2
9
NC
NC
NC
NC
5
6
GND
NC
7
NC
8
NC NC
18 NC
19 RFOUT
20 NC
21 VCC
22 NC
23 NC
24 NC
NC
12
RFOUT/2
11
GND
10
NC
13NC
14NC
15
NC
16
NC 25 NC
26 NC
27 NC
28 NC
29 VTUNE
30 NC
31 NC
32 NC
HMC1168
13945-001
Figure 1.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The HMC1168 is a monolithic microwave integrated circuit
(MMIC), voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) that integrates a
resonator, a negative resistance device, and a varactor diode,
and features a half frequency output.
Because of the monolithic construction of the oscillator, the
output power and phase noise performance are excellent over
temperature.
The output power is 10 dBm typical from a 5 V supply voltage.
The VCO is housed in a RoHS compliant LFCSP and requires
no external matching components.
HMC1168 Data Sheet
Rev. A | Page 2 of 12
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Features .............................................................................................. 1
Applications ....................................................................................... 1
Functional Block Diagram .............................................................. 1
General Description ......................................................................... 1
Revision History ............................................................................... 2
Specifications ..................................................................................... 3
Absolute Maximum Ratings ............................................................ 4
ESD Caution .................................................................................. 4
Pin Configuration and Function Descriptions ............................. 5
Interface Schematics..................................................................... 6
Typical Performance Characteristics ..............................................7
Theory of Operation .........................................................................9
Applications Information .............................................................. 10
Evaluation Printed Circuit Board (PCB) ..................................... 11
Bill of Materials ........................................................................... 11
Packaging and Ordering Information ......................................... 12
Outline Dimensions ................................................................... 12
Ordering Guide .......................................................................... 12
REVISION HISTORY
12/2017—Rev. 0 to Rev. A
Changes to Figure 15 ........................................................................ 8
Updated Outline Dimensions ....................................................... 12
Changes to Ordering Guide .......................................................... 12
1/2016—Revision 0: Initial Version
Data Sheet HMC1168
Rev. A | Page 3 of 12
SPECIFICATIONS
TA = −40°C to +85°C, VCC = 5 V, unless otherwise noted.
Table 1.
Parameter Min Typ Max Unit Test Conditions/Comments
FREQUENCY
Range
Output Frequency (fOUT) 12.47 13.72 GHz
Half Output Frequency (fOUT/2) 6.235 6.86 GHz
Drift Rate 1.2 MHz/°C
Pulling 2 MHz p-p Pulling into a 2.0:1 voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR)
Pushing
2
MHz/V
OUTPUT POWER (POUT)
RFOUT 7 10 14 dBm
RFOUT/2 −1 +2 +6 dBm
Supply Current (ICC) 170 mA VCC = 4.75 V
190 240 mA VCC = 5.00 V
210 mA VCC = 5.25 V
HARMONICS, SUBHARMONICS
1/2 42 dBc
3/2 34 dBc
Second 17 dBc
Third
28
dBc
TUNING
Voltage (VTUNE) 2 13 V
Sensitivity 75 350 MHz/V
Tune Port Leakage Current 10 µA VTUNE = 13 V
OUTPUT RETURN LOSS 5 dB
SSB PHASE NOISE
10 kHz Offset −85 −82 dBc/Hz
100 kHz Offset −113 −110 dBc/Hz
HMC1168 Data Sheet
Rev. A | Page 4 of 12
ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM RATINGS
Table 2.
Parameter Rating
VCC 5.5 V dc
VTUNE 0 V to 15 V
Operating Temperature Range −40°C to +85°C
Storage Temperature Range −65°C to +150°C
Nominal Junction Temperature (to Maintain
1 Million Hours Mean Time to Failure
(MTTF))
135°C
Nominal Junction Temperature (TA = 85°C) 119°C
Maximum Reflow Temperature (MSL3 Rating) 260°C
Thermal Resistance (Junction to Ground Pad) 29°C/W
ESD Sensitivity
Human Body Model (HBM) 300 V (Class 1A)
Field Induced Charged Device Model
(FICDM)
300 V (Class II)
Stresses at or above those listed under Absolute Maximum
Ratings may cause permanent damage to the product. This is a
stress rating only; functional operation of the product at these
or any other conditions above those indicated in the operational
section of this specification is not implied. Operation beyond
the maximum operating conditions for extended periods may
affect product reliability.
ESD CAUTION
Data Sheet HMC1168
Rev. A | Page 5 of 12
PIN CONFIGURATION AND FUNCTION DESCRIPTIONS
17
1
3
4
2
9
NC
NC
NC
NC 5
6
GND
NC 7
NC 8
NC NC
18 NC
19 RFOUT
20 NC
21 V
CC
22 NC
23 NC
24 NC
NC
12
RFOUT/2 11
GND10
NC
13NC 14NC 15
NC 16
NC 25 NC
26 NC
27 NC
28 NC
29 VTUNE
30 NC
31 NC
32 NC
HMC1168
TOP VIEW
(No t to S cale)
N
OTES
1
. NC = NO CONNECT. HOW E V E R, THE S E PINS CAN BE
CONNECT E D TO RF /DC GROUND WITHOUT AFFE CTING THE
PERFORMANCE OF THE DEVICE.
2
. EXPOSED PAD. THE PACKAGE BOTTOM HAS AN EXPOSED
MET AL PAD T HAT MUST BE CONNECTED TO RF/DC GROUND.
13945-002
Figure 2. Pin Configuration
Table 3. Pin Function Descriptions
Pin No. Mnemonic Description
1 to 4, 6 to 10, 13 to 18, 20, 22 to
28, 30 to 32
NC No Connect. However, these pins can be connected to RF/dc ground without affecting
the performance of the device.
5, 11 GND Ground. These pins must be connected to RF/dc ground.
12 RFOUT/2 Half Radio Frequency Output. This pin is ac-coupled.
19 RFOUT Radio Frequency Output. This pin is ac-coupled.
21 VCC Supply Voltage (5 V).
29 VTUNE
Control Voltage and Modulation Input. The modulation bandwidth is dependent on the
drive source impedance.
EP
Exposed Pad. The package bottom has an exposed metal pad that must be connected
to RF/dc ground.
HMC1168 Data Sheet
Rev. A | Page 6 of 12
INTERFACE SCHEMATICS
RFOUT
13945-003
Figure 3. RFOUT Interface
RFOUT/2
13945-004
Figure 4. RFOUT/2 Interface
10.5pF
V
CC
13945-005
Figure 5. VCC Interface
100pF4pF
VTUNE
3nH
13945-006
Figure 6. VTUNE Interface
GND
13945-007
Figure 7. GND Interface
Data Sheet HMC1168
Rev. A | Page 7 of 12
TYPICAL PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS
15.0
10.0
11.5
12.5
13.5
10.5
12.0
11.0
13.0
14.0
14.5
01 3
24 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
OUTPUT FREQUENCY (GHz)
TUNING VOLTAGE (V dc)
+85°C
+25°C
–40°C
13945-008
Figure 8. Output Frequency vs. Tuning Voltage
16
0
6
10
14
2
8
4
12
0 1 32 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
OUTPUT POWER (dBm)
TUNING VOLTAGE (V dc)
+85°C
+25°C
–40°C
13945-009
Figure 9. Output Power vs. Tuning Voltage
1100
0
300
500
700
800
900
1000
100
400
200
600
0 1 32 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
SENSITIVITY (MHz/V)
TUNING VOLTAGE (V dc)
+85°C
+25°C
–40°C
13945-010
Figure 10. Sensitivity vs. Tuning Voltage
260
160
190
210
230
170
200
180
220
240
250
0 1 32 45678910 11 12 13
SUPPLY CURRENT (mA)
TUNING VOLTAGE (V dc)
+85°C
+25°C
–40°C
13945-011
Figure 11. Supply Current (ICC) vs. Tuning Voltage
7.4
5.2
5.8
6.2
6.6
6.8
7.0
7.2
5.4
6.0
5.6
6.4
01 32 45678910 11 12 13
OUTPUT FREQUENCY (GHz)
TUNING VOLTAGE (V dc)
+85°C
+25°C
–40°C
13945-012
Figure 12. RFOUT/2 Output Frequency vs. Tuning Voltage
12
–1
2
4
6
7
8
9
10
11
0
3
1
5
0 1 32 45678910 11 12 13
OUTPUT POWER (dBm)
TUNING VOLTAGE (V dc)
+85°C
+25°C
–40°C
13945-013
Figure 13. RFOUT/2 Output Power vs. Tuning Voltage
HMC1168 Data Sheet
Rev. A | Page 8 of 12
–60
–125
–120
–110
–100
–90
–80
–70
–115
–105
–95
–85
–75
–65
013
245678910 11 12 13
SSB PHASE NOISE (dBc/Hz)
TUNING VOLTAGE (V dc)
+85°C
+25°C
–40°C
10kHz
100kHz
13945-014
Figure 14. SSB Phase Noise vs. Tuning Voltage
–30
–50
–40
–140
–120
–130
–110
–100
–90
–80
–70
–60
SSB PHASE NOISE (dBc/Hz)
OFFSET FREQUENCY (Hz)
1k 10k 100k 1M
+85°C
+25°C
–40°C
13945-015
Figure 15. SSB Phase Noise vs. Offset Frequency at VTUNE = 5 V
Data Sheet HMC1168
Rev. A | Page 9 of 12
THEORY OF OPERATION
The HMC1168 voltage controlled oscillator is a free running
voltage controlled frequency source. The output frequency is
controlled by applying a variable tune voltage to the VTUNE port.
Because VTUNE is varied from the lowest to the highest allowed
voltage, the VCO output frequency increases from the lowest to
the highest operating frequency. This VCO output frequency
change with the applied VTUNE input results in the VCO
frequency sensitivity characteristic (MHz/V). The VCO
frequency sensitivity is not constant and varies across the
tunable range.
The HMC1168 VCO is specified to cover the minimum to
maximum frequencies specified in this data sheet over the entire
specified temperature range, including the VCO frequency drift
(MHz/°C). In addition, for low phase noise operation, drive the
VTUNE port from a low noise voltage source. Excessive noise
on the VTUNE port results in poor phase noise performance.
The tune port modulation bandwidth is typically greater than
10 MHz.
To achieve optimum VCO phase noise performance when using
the HMC1168, it is important to use a low noise power supply
for VCC biasing. Because the VCO output frequency changes
with small changes in the VCC bias voltage (pushing), noise on
the VCC bias pin results in increased phase noise. Take care to
use low noise regulators, otherwise, bias line noise may corrupt
the low phase noise output of the HMC1168.
Internally, the radio frequency (RF) output frequency is generated
from a doubler circuit. This generation results in an unwanted
low level output signal present at half the RFOUT frequency
(RFOUT/2). If necessary, this undesired spurious signal can be
further filtered on the customer application board using a filter.
The RFOUT/2 output signal is available directly at the RFOUT/2
port. The RFOUT/2 port commonly drives a phase-locked loop
(PLL)/synthesizer for phase locking the HMC1168 output if
needed.
Lastly, the HMC1168 RFOUT port incorporates an internal
buffer amplifier to provide good output matching. The internal
buffer amplifier also isolates the VCO core from the output load
and minimizes the VCO frequency change with the changes to
the output load impedance (pulling).
HMC1168 Data Sheet
Rev. A | Page 10 of 12
APPLICATIONS INFORMATION
The HMC1168 serves as the local oscillator (LO) in microwave
synthesizer applications. The primary applications are point to
point microwave radios, military, radars, test and measurement,
as well as industrial and medical equipment. The low phase
noise allows higher orders of modulation and offers improved bit
error rates in communication systems, whereas the linear,
monotonic tuning sensitivity allows a stable loop filter design. The
higher output power minimizes the gain required to drive
subsequent stages. The half frequency output reduces the input
frequency to the prescaler without the addition of residual
phase noise to the input of the phase-locked loop synthesizer.
SYNTH
REF
HOST
SCK
SDI
SEN
XREFP VCO INPUT
VTUNE
RFOUT
RFOUT/2
LOOP
FILTER
CP
13945-016
Figure 16. Typical Application Diagram
Data Sheet HMC1168
Rev. A | Page 11 of 12
EVALUATION PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD (PCB)
13945-017
Figure 17. Evaluation PCB
The circuit board used in an application uses RF circuit design
techniques. Ensure that the signal lines have 50 Ω impedance
and that the package ground leads and backside ground paddle
are connected directly to the ground plane.
Use a sufficient number of via holes to connect the top and
bottom ground planes. The evaluation circuit board shown in
Figure 17 is available from Analog Devices, Inc., upon request.
BILL OF MATERIALS
Table 4. Bill of Materials for the EV1HMC1168LP5
Item Description
J1 to J4 PCB mount SMA RF connectors
J5, J6 2 mm dc headers
C1 to C3 100 pF capacitors, 0402 package
C4 1000 pF capacitor, 0402 package
C5 to C7 2.2 μF tantalum capacitors
C8 0.01 μF capacitor, 0603 package
U1 HMC1168 VCO
PCB
1
110225 evaluation board
2
1 Circuit board material is Rogers 4350.
2 Reference this number when ordering the complete evaluation PCB.
HMC1168 Data Sheet
Rev. A | Page 12 of 12
PACKAGING AND ORDERING INFORMATION
OUTLINE DIMENSIONS
03-04-2015-A
1
0.50
BSC
BOT
TOM VIEW
TOP VIEW
PIN 1
INDICATOR
32
9
16
17
24
25
8
EXPOSED
PAD
PIN 1
INDICATOR
SEATING
PLANE
0.05 MAX
0.02 NOM
0.20 REF
COPLANARITY
0.08
0.30
0.25
0.18
5.10
5.00 SQ
4.90
1.00
0.90
0.80
FOR PROPER CONNECTION OF
THE EXPOSED PAD, REFER TO
THE PIN CONFIGURATION AND
FUNCTION DESCRIPTIONS
SECTION OF THIS DATA SHEET.
0.45
0.40
0.35
0.20 MIN
3.80
3.65 SQ
3.50
COMPLIANT TO JEDEC STANDARDS MO-220-VHHD-4.
PKG-000000
3.50 REF
Figure 18. 32-Lead Lead Frame Chip Scale Package [LFCSP]
5 mm × 5 mm Body and 0.85 mm Package Height
(HCP-32-1)
Dimensions shown in millimeters
ORDERING GUIDE
Model1 Temperature Range MSL Rating2 Package Description Package Option Qty.
HMC1168LP5E −40°C to +85°C MSL3 32-Lead LFCSP HCP-32-1
HMC1168LP5ETR −40°C to +85°C MSL3 32-Lead LFCSP, 7” Tape and Reel HCP-32-1 500
EV1HMC1168LP5 Evaluation Board
1 All models are RoHS compliant.
2 See the Absolute Maximum Ratings section, Table 2.
©2016–2017 Analog Devices, Inc. All rights reserved. Trademarks and
registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
D13945-0-12/17(A)