**HMC264LC3B: A High-Performance GaAs MMIC Double-Balanced Mixer for Microwave Applications**
The relentless drive for higher data rates and more sophisticated radar systems in modern communication and defense electronics demands mixers with exceptional performance. The **HMC264LC3B**, a Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit (MMIC) double-balanced mixer, stands out as a critical component engineered to meet these stringent requirements. Operating over a wide frequency range, this device is designed to deliver superior performance in upconversion and downconversion applications across the Ku-band and beyond.
A key advantage of the HMC264LC3B is its remarkably **broad operational bandwidth**. The Local Oscillator (LO), Radio Frequency (RF), and Intermediate Frequency (IF) ports are all optimized to function from 8 to 16 GHz, making it an incredibly versatile solution for a multitude of systems operating within the X, Ku, and portions of the K-band. This wideband capability simplifies design-in and allows a single component to serve across multiple platforms or frequency plans.
The mixer's **double-balanced design** is fundamental to its high performance. This topology ensures excellent port-to-port isolation, significantly minimizing the unwanted feedthrough of the large local oscillator signal to the sensitive RF and IF ports. The result is a cleaner output spectrum and a substantial reduction in the number of spurious signals, which is paramount for maintaining signal integrity in dense spectral environments. Furthermore, this architecture provides inherent suppression of even-order harmonics, further enhancing linearity.
Fabricated on a advanced GaAs MMIC process, the HMC264LC3B achieves outstanding conversion efficiency. It features a **low conversion loss** of just 8.5 dB typical, which is crucial for preserving the overall noise figure of the receiver chain. Its high linearity is demonstrated by an excellent input third-order intercept point (IP3) of +21 dBm, allowing it to handle strong interfering signals without generating significant intermodulation distortion. The component requires a minimal LO drive power of +13 dBm, easing the burden on the oscillator circuitry and contributing to lower overall system power consumption.
Housed in a compact, RoHS-compliant 3x3 mm leadless surface-mount package, the mixer is ideal for high-density PCB designs. Its robust performance, coupled with its small form factor, makes the HMC264LC3B an ideal choice for a wide array of demanding microwave applications. These include point-to-point radio and VSAT terminals, military and test equipment, radar systems, and infrastructure for emerging 5G networks.
**ICGOOODFIND:** The HMC264LC3B is a premier solution for designers seeking a high-performance, broadband mixer. Its combination of **low conversion loss, high isolation, and exceptional linearity** within a miniature package makes it an indispensable component for advancing the capabilities of next-generation microwave systems.
**Keywords:** GaAs MMIC Mixer, Double-Balanced Mixer, Broadband Performance, High Isolation, Low Conversion Loss.
