Hittite Microwave Corp., a supplier of complete MMIC-based solutions for communication and military markets, has introduced a new line of SMT packaged PLLs with Integrated Voltage Controlled Oscillators (VCO) that are ideal for microwave radio, military, industrial sensors and test and measurement applications from 7.3 to 13.4 GHz.

The HMC764LP6CE, HMC765LP6CE, HMC783LP6CE and HMC807LP6CE are SiGe BiCMOS PLL with Integrated VCO RFICs that provide output frequency coverage of 7.3 to 8.2 GHz, 7.8 to 8.8 GHz, 11.5 to 12.5 GHz, and 12.4 to 13.4 GHz, respectively.

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Each of these new products include an advanced fractional-N synthesizer and an ultra low noise VCO in a 6x6 mm QFN plastic package, while requiring a minimal number of external components. The PLL/synthesizer section also incorporates a Cycle Slip Prevention (CSP) mode, which essentially holds the PFD gain at maximum until the frequency difference is near zero, reducing the time to arrive at the new frequency by 50 percent. A high frequency reference path allows the use of references up to 220 MHz, while source buffers in the reference path support both square wave and 50 Ohm sinusoidal reference oscillators. Ultra low in-close phase noise and low spurious also permit architectures with wider loop bandwidths for faster frequency hopping and low microphonics. Spurious outputs are low enough to eliminate the need for costly Direct Digital Synthesis (DDS) references in many applications.

The HMC764LP6CE, HMC765LP6CE, HMC783LP6CE and HMC807LP6CE PLLs with Integrated VCOs operate in fractional or integer mode, providing the ability to develop high performance phase locked loops for point-to-point radio, military and sensor applications in the microwave domain. Primarily designed for ultra low phase noise applications, the internal architecture includes a 16-bit RF N-Divider, a 24-bit delta-sigma modulator, a very low noise digital phase frequency detector (PFD), and a precision controlled charge pump.

These new products offer the same exceptional microwave VCO performance which Hittite is recognized for, with the added functionality of an advanced, integrated fractional-n synthesizer. For example, the HMC764LP6CE exhibits consistent tuning sensitivity and high output power of up to +16 dBm across its bandwidth, making it ideal for driving the LO port of many of Hittite’s high linearity, double balanced and I/Q mixer and receiver products marketplace.

Developing a high performance programmable local oscillator can still require considerable design time and potentially several design iterations. For these reasons, Hittite has developed the PLL with Integrated VCO Designer’s Kit, which enables immediate measurement of the LO design to minimize design time, and facilitate rapid prototyping.

Hittite’s new line of PLL with Integrated VCO products uniquely combine the attributes of low phase noise, wide frequency coverage, advanced features and ultra small size, making them ideal for numerous small form factor applications.