RF Misc ICs and Modules

This Product Selection Guide contains information to help select products in the RF Misc ICs and Modules category on DigiKey.com

The RF Miscellaneous IC and Module product family is home to a wide variety of unique, specialized, or purpose-specific products used in conjunction with RF, IF, and microwave radio applications. Examples include AM/FM tuners and receivers, bias networks, baseband processors, counters, digitally tunable capacitors, downconverters, frequency multipliers, phase shifters, prescalars, terminators, upconverters, VCOs, and others.


SelectionCharacteristics

Function: Describes various ICs and Modules that belong in the RF category but do not number in large enough variation to warrant their own product family.

Frequency: The frequency or frequencies this product is designed to be compatible.

RF Type: Indicates the general application space or communications standard for which a device is intended for use.

Secondary Attributes: Miscellaneous attributes that help to better describe the abilities of a product but are not a standard attribute universal to this product family.

Mounting Type: How the device is attached.

Mounting Types

Chassis Mount
Designed to be mounted to a metal chassis.

Chassis Mount, 8" Wire Lead
Attaches to a metal chassis but it includes an 8" wire for connection.

Chassis, Stud Mount
Designed to be mounted to a metal Chassis using an incorporated stud bolt.

Screw Mount
Attaches using screw terminals.

Stud Mount
Has a stud bolt incorporated into one side for attachment.

Flange Mount
Screws or bolts go through wings (flanges) that protrude from the product.

Connector Mount
A mount that incorporates a connector into its method of attachment into the electrical system.

Surface Mount
Have pins or pads that connect to solder pads on the PCB that are then soldered in place forming an electrical and mechanical connection. Number in front of SMD indicates how many pins/pads, for example a 6-SMD module has 6 pins/pads. May not use or even have all the pins/pads for example 24-SMD module, 14 leads: would fit in the space of a 24-SMD module but only has 14 pins/pads. Typically, they are smaller than the through-hole components.

There are three basic types of pins (leads) for surface mount devices.

Lead Types

Gull wing leads: Enable the most pins per inch when compared to J-lead types but they are more fragile. Easy to inspect for defects after soldering.
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J-Leads: Less pins per inch than gull wing leads but they are stronger and less susceptible to breakage.
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Flat Leads:
Must be protectively packaged to prevent damage to leads. Leads must be formed into a gull shape prior to use with a separate piece of equipment. Due to that they are the least popular type of lead.
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Package / Case: The protective case on an electronic component which allows for easy handling, installation, and protects the device. This is what we determined is the closest industry standard to the supplier device package. Typically, it is best to use the actual dimensions from the datasheet rather than to go by this terminology when designing your circuit.

Supplier Device Package: This is what the manufacturer calls the package of this device. They are manufacturer specific. It is typically best to use the actual dimensions from the datasheets rather than to go by this terminology when designing your circuit.

ProductExamples

DigiKey Part Number 4244-C8A50Z4BTR-ND
Manufacturer TTM Technologies, Inc.
Manufacturer Product Number C8A50Z4B
Description TERMINATION FLANGLESS 50 OHM SMD
Datasheet Click Here

DigiKey Part Number 505-ADL5391ACPZ-R7TR-ND
Manufacturer Analog Devices Inc.
Manufacturer Product Number ADL5391ACPZ-R7
Description IC MULTIPLIER 2.0GHZ 16LFCSP
Datasheet Click Here

DigiKey Part Number 1891-XM125-ND
Manufacturer Acconeer AB
Manufacturer Product Number XM125
Description A121 ENTRY+ RADAR SENSOR MODULE
Datasheet Click Here

MediaLinks

Videos
Getting started with the Acconeer XM112 & XB112
Getting started with the Acconeer XM122 & XB122
Getting started with the Acconeer XE132

Product Training Modules
HMIC Switches & Discrete Surmount Devices - MACOM
RFID Technology and Applications - TI
SKY68020-11, an LTE-M/NB-IoT low power front-end solution

If you have any general questions on the specifications for selecting RF Misc ICs and Modules, please reply using the button below. If you have questions on specific RF Misc ICs and Modules please post those questions in the Wireless and IoT category.