Analog Devices has introduced a series of quadband voltage-controlled oscillators (VCOs) that offer wideband capabilities without compromising phase noise performance. When used in today’s RF and microwave environments, the new quadband VCOs offer a wider RF response and more frequency flexibility than narrowband VCOs. They also provide lower phase noise than traditional single-band wideband VCOs, while continuing to provide low current consumption. These features enable faster time to market for the end applications.
The quadband VCO series offers ultra-wideband capabilities with fundamental frequencies ranging from 8.3 GHz to 26.6 GHz. In addition to providing low phase noise, the VCOs do not generate subharmonic frequency tones. This combination of wideband capability and low phase noise is essential in many of today’s high-end instrumentation and aerospace and defense applications.
Quadband VCO Features and Benefits
- Integrate fundamental oscillators, resulting in no sub-harmonic tones being generated by any multiplication effects in the device
- Short switching time between VCO bands without voltage overshoot
- Low supply current consumption (as low as 60mA Typ)
- Lower tuning voltage than traditional single-band Wideband VCOs, and narrower sensitivity versus frequency, reducing the complexity of the loop filter design
- Encapsulated in a small 40-lead 6x6mm LFCSP SMT package.
This series consists of the HMC8074, HMC8364 and the HMC8362 VCOs.