0.3GHz to 3.5GHz High Linearity downconverting Mixer on 0.18um SiGe BiCMOS Process

摘要

A broadband down converting mixer delivering typical +36dBm IIP3 and >+40dBm IIP3 for some frequencies with positive conversion is presented in the paper. The mixer also has +18 dBm input P1dB and sub-10dB noise figure (NF) with a 3.3V/200mA power supply and only 0dBm of LO input power, which is the highest dynamic range mixer in its class. The mixer consists of an integrated RF balun, a high linearity double-balanced mixer core, an IF amplifier, an LO buffer amplifier, and bias/enable circuits. The single-ended RF input frequency range is 300MHz to 3.5GHz and the IF is usable up to 1GHz. The mixer has a reduced current mode which allows the mixer to operate at 2/3 normal power consumption with IIP3 of approximately +29dBm. Furthermore, the unique topology allows operation with supply voltage as low as 2.5V.