Hittite has introduced the HMC703LP4E, a DC to 8 GHz, low-noise fractional synthesiser for driving voltage controlled oscillators (VCOs) used in microwave point-to-point radios.
As quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) in microwave radios moves to higher constellations and signal bandwidths are tightening, excellent phase noise and spurious product performance is mandatory. The HMC703LP4E provides a solution for the tough error vector magnitude (EVM) and integrated phase noise specifications that these high data-rate, frequency-efficient telecommunications systems require.
The device features frequency shift keying (FSK) modulation as well as bi-phase modulation with data rates limited by the loop filter bandwidth (typically 100 kHz). It also features a built-in sweeper mode that supports external or automatic triggered sweeps. The phase coherent frequency sweep mode can be used in test instrumentation, frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) sensors and automotive radars. Depending on the chosen phase locked loop bandwidth, the one- or two-way frequency ramp may be continuous or in steps.
The HMC703LP4E offers phase noise performance of -112 dBc/Hz at an offset of 50 kHz and a VCO frequency of 8 GHz in fractional mode. Its floor figure of merit is -230 dBc/Hz in fractional mode. When tested with the HMC508LP5E VCO, the jitter corresponding to double sideband phase noise integration from 100 Hz to 100 MHz offsets is 70,7 fs. This jitter would correspond to an EVM of 0,35% at 8 GHz and a signal-to-noise ratio of 49 dB.
Fractional synthesisers that set the channel step size with the fractional modulus often suffer from channel spurs. The HMC703LP4E’s exact frequency mode achieves exact channel frequencies with zero channel spurs, while double buffering enables strobed frequency hopping. The IC’s maximum PFD frequency is 115 MHz (in integer mode), which permits wider loop bandwidth, improved phase noise performance and faster locking/switching time. Typical in-band integer boundary spur is -60 dBc.
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