For price, delivery and to place orders: Hittite Microwave Corporation, 20 Alpha Road, Chelmsford, MA 01824
Phone: 978-250-3343 Fax: 978-250-3373 Order On-line at www.hittite.com
Application Support: Phone: 978-250-3343 or apps@hittite.com
Mixers - siNGLe & DOUBLe BALANCeD - sMT
10
10 - 8
Recommended SMT Attachment Technique
Preparation & Handling of the LM3 Millimeterwave Package for Surface Mounting
The HMC LM3 package was designed to be compatible with high
volume surface mount PCB assembly processes. The LM3 package
requires a specic mounting pattern to allow proper mechanical
attachment and to optimize electrical performance at millimeter wave
frequencies. This PCB layout pattern can be found on each LM3
product data sheet. It can also be provided as an electronic drawing
upon request from Hittite Sales & Application Engineering.
Follow these precautions to avoid permanent damage:
Cleanliness: Observe proper handling procedures to ensure clean
devices and PCBs. LM3 devices should remain in their original
packaging until component placement to ensure no contamination or damage to RF, DC & ground contact areas.
Static Sensitivity: Follow ESD precautions to protect against ESD strikes.
General Handling: Handle the LM3 package on the top with a vacuum collet or along the edges with a sharp pair
of bent tweezers. Avoiding damaging the RF, DC, & ground contacts on the package bottom. Do not apply excess
pressure to the top of the lid.
Solder Materials & Temperature Prole: Follow the information contained in the application note. Hand soldering is not
recommended. Conductive epoxy attachment is not recommended.
Solder Paste: Solder paste should be selected based on the user’s experience and be compatible with the metalization
systems used. See the LM3 data sheet Outline drawing for pin & ground contact metalization schemes.
Solder Paste Application: Solder paste is generally applied to the PCB using either a stencil printer or dot placement.
The volume of solder paste will be dependent on PCB and component layout and should be controlled to ensure
consistent mechanical & electrical performance. Excess solder may create unwanted electrical parasitics at high
frequencies.
Solder Reow: The soldering process is usually accomplished in a reow oven but may also use a vapor phase
process. A solder reow prole is suggested above.
Prior to reowing product, temperature proles should be measured using the same mass as the actual assemblies.
The thermocouple should be moved to various positions on the board to account for edge and corner effects and
varying component masses. The nal prole should be determined by mounting the thermocouple to the PCB at the
location of the device.
Follow solder paste and oven vendor’s recommendations when developing a solder reow prole. A standard prole
will have a steady ramp up from room temperature to the pre-heat temperature to avoid damage due to thermal shock.
Allow enough time between reaching pre-heat temperature and reow for the solvent in the paste to evaporate and the
ux to completely activate. Reow must then occur prior to the ux being completely driven off. The duration of peak
reow temperature should not exceed 15 seconds. Packages have been qualied to withstand a peak temperature of
235°C for 15 seconds. Verify that the prole will not expose device to temperatures in excess of 235°C.
Cleaning: A water-based ux wash may be used.
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TEMPERATURE (0C)
TIME (min)
HMC560LM3
v02.0215 GaAs MMIC FUNDAMENTAL
SMT MIXER, 24 - 40 GHz