A Double gm Stages Up-Conversion CMOS Mixer for Ka-Band Applications

Abstract

This paper presents a Ka-band Gilbert up-conversion mixer, which is manufactured in the standard 55-nm CMOS process. The up-conversion mixer adopts a double balanced Gilbert cell and a double transconductance stage which are used to enhance the mixer linearity. To achieve a compact layout, the transformer is used for serving as inductive load stage, balun, and output matching network. The mixer achieves IF-port reflection coefficient less than -15 dB for frequency 8-12 GHz, and RF-port input reflection coefficient less than -15 dB for 36-40 GHz. The mixer realizes an output 1 dB compression point is 2.1 dBm at 38 GHz, whiling consuming 17mW from 1.2V supply.