New Antenna-in-Package Transceiver Products for 60 GHz

Hittite Microwave Corporation, the world class supplier of complete MMIC based solutions for communication & military markets, has launched a new, highly integrated HMC6000LP711E/HMC6001LP711E Antenna-in-Package (AiP) Silicon Transceiver Chipset Solution, which is fabricated with silicon germanium (SiGe) BiCMOS semiconductor process technology and targets 60 GHz applications such as short range Gbps data links, wireless sensors and test applications. The HMC6000LP711E AiP solution combines a 60 GHz antenna with the HMC6000 transmitter IC while the HMC6001LP711E AiP solution combines a 60 GHz antenna with the HMC6001 receiver IC. Both transceivers are available in 7 x 11 mm QFN plastic packages which support low cost surface mount PCB assembly and require no experience in handling millimeterwave devices. The chipset not only solves many of the key technical challenges encountered at millimeterwave frequencies, but also enables turn-key multi-Gbps communication links at 60 GHz. Lower frequency baseband signals are directly translated to and from 60 GHz, minimizing the need for expensive and complex millimeterwave interconnection components on the printed circuit board.

The HMC6000LP711E AiP Transmitter IC and the HMC6001LP711E AiP Receiver IC provide an integrated frequency synthesizer for tuning across the 57 to 64 GHz band using 500 or 540 MHz steps (a quarter of the IEEE channel spacing) depending on the reference input frequency. An RF antenna provides a low-loss RF transition to free space. Both devices provide a simple four-wire digital serial interface for full control and status reporting for these ICs, including frequency channel selection, gain control, circuit bias and filter bandwidths.

To facilitate evaluation of these 60 GHz Transceiver ICs, Hittite offers the EKIT01-HMC6450 , a complete 60 GHz AiP Transceiver Evaluation Kit containing both the HMC6000LP711E Transmitter and the HMC6001LP711E Receiver. Complete with configuration software, the EKIT01-HMC6450 provides the user with everything needed to set up a bidirectional millimeterwave link at 60 GHz with a range of 4 meters. A universal analog I and Q interface will translate base band analog I and Q signals with single-sided bandwidth out to 880 MHz to and from the 60 GHz ISM band. The EKIT01-HMC6450 is the quickest way to get 60 GHz up and running in a lab environment. For more information, please contact txrx@hittite.com.