Conversion Mixer Research Articles

Mathematical modeling of microwave channels of a semi-active radar homing head

Objectives. Radar homing heads of guided missiles form a large group of radars which differ from other radars due to their specific purpose. The advantages of a semi-active radar homing head (SARH) include the ability to have a powerful irradiator at the command post and, as a result, a powerful reflected signal from the target. This results in an increase in the range of its detection and guidance. The absence of an emitter simplifies the missile’s onboard control equipment, reduces its weight and dimensions, thereby improving its maneuverability and increasing the guidance accuracy, resulting in the greatest distribution of this type of SARH. However, in order to determine the exact Doppler shift of the target signal as part of SARH, a reference signal with a frequency coinciding with the illumination transmitter signal must be supplied to the receiving path. This study aims to synthesize and analyze the SARH receiver circuit with improved accuracy characteristics.Methods. The following methods are used: statistical radio engineering; optimal signal reception theories; and computer modeling in CAD AWR Design Environment.Results. A mathematical model of the SARH receiver was obtained and analyzed. The proposed receiver model allows the spectral characteristics of signals to be calculated at any point of the microwave paths, as well as signal characteristics at the input of the head channel, at the output of the first conversion mixer, at the output of the first intermediate frequency selector, and at the output of the receiving path. The calculated values of the main characteristics of high-frequency channels are also given.Conclusions. The resulting model allows the frequency dependencies of main parameters of the receiving path, such as the gain factor, noise factor, decibel compression points, and third-order intermodulation intercept points to be estimated. The values obtained during the simulation are maximally close to existing systems, since the models of real-life and mass-used microcircuits thu created are used as the main elements when designing high- frequency paths. The model can be used to study methods of improving technical indicators, as well as to develop new principles and schemes for developing radioelectronic complexes, for example, when designing a receiving path using advanced radio photonics.

MICROWAVE MIXER ON RECTANGULAR WAVEGUIDES PARTIALLY FILLED BY DIELECTRIC

The article investigates and calculates the characteristics of microwave mixers on rectangular waveguides partially filled by dielectric. Presents diagrams of promising combined microwave radio engineering systems - two options for constructing mobile digital troposcatter-radiorelay stations, the antenna-feeder paths of which are implemented on rectangular waveguides partially filled by dielectric. At research of microwave mixers, suppression and the use of the mirror frequency are taken into account. The analysis of researches of microwave mixers is carried out. The design of a balanced-type microwave mixer based on rectangular waveguides partially filled by dielectric is developed. The mixer is used to convertion the microwave signal into an intermediate frequency signal. The signal conversion of the mixers takes place on the non-linear active resistance of the semiconductor diode. In article, an open nonlinear structure is used as such a diode. The following main parameters of microwave mixers are investigated: conversion losses, noise factor, operating frequency band, signal suppression at the mirror frequency. The conversion losses are determined for various mirror channel suppression conditions. Phase methods of mirror frequency suppression are considered, which are most suitable for the waveguide implementation of microwave mixers. A scheme of a microwave mixer of a balance type with a phase method for suppressing the mirror frequency is presented. The article notes that for significant suppression of the mirror frequency of more than 30 dB, a double frequency conversion mixer is used. A diagram of a slotted bridge based on rectangular waveguides partially filled by dielectric is presented. The dependences of the input impedance of the mixer, the impedance of the mixer at the intermediate frequency, the impedance of the mixer at the mirror frequency by the power of the local heterodyne are plotted.

A Next-generation down conversion mixer design using Schottky diode to improve performance for WSN

A Next-generation down conversion mixer design using Schottky diode to improve performance for WSN

(Digital Presentation) Sub-THz Front Ends for Future Communication and Sensing Technologies in 130nm Sige Bicmos Technology

Introduction: Beyond the-5G technologies are targeting the available bandwidth (BW) in the D-band and J-band. This promises for very high speed communication and sensing accuracy. Although the advantages of operating beyond 100 GHz from the application point of view, it requires a lot of research and development to design a reliable and power efficient chipsets. In this presentation we will go through the design of wideband 240 GHz transmitter (Tx) and receiver (Rx). Firstly an overview about the link budget analysis will be given, then the design of the local carrier signal generator will be discussed. The wideband Txs and Rxs are to be presented with frequency channelizing concept. At the end the results of the wireless links will be demonstrated. Link Budget Analysis: Operating at sub-THz frequencies approaching the transistor fT put a lot of constraints on the system link budget. The elevated noise figure together with the limited maximum Pout of the transistors lead to solutions which might be limited in BW or power efficiency. Hence the design architecture need to be optimized taking into account the elevated power consumption and heat dissipation. Carrier Generation: Several approaches could be followed to generate the sub-THz carrier frequency. For a power efficient solution the fundamental oscillators promise for a power efficient solution but with limited phase noise performance and tuning range. Such a solution is more common for imaging systems operating at a single frequency. In order to achieve wider tuning ranges for multi-channel scenario or FMCW radar systems, the frequency multiplication chains are common, whereas the multiplication factor depends on the system parameters. Sub-THz Rx: Different approaches were followed to realize a wideband sub-THz Rx. For some technologies the transistors ft does not promise the realization of low noise amplifiers (LNA) with reasonable noise figure, gain and BW. Hence the mixer first approach were followed trying to optimize the noise figure of the down conversion mixer as much as possible. This also enhances the input compression point (IP1dB) of the Rx which is better for monostatic radar applications. On the other hand, if the technology in use allows the development of well performing LNA’s, the LNA first approach was followed to enhance the all over NF of the receiver and ease the implementation of IQ Rxs. In our work an LNA was implemented followed by IQ downconversion mixers and baseband chain as presented in [3]. Sub-THz Tx: The Tx main challenging performance parameter in the sub-THz frequency range is to achieve high output compression point across the required BW with as high efficiency as possible. Increasing the power handling capabilities of the power amplifiers (PA) by increasing the transistors sizes of the output stages, leads to low output impedance and hence higher impedance transformation ratios for the matching structures and eventually narrow band designs. Hence the power combining architectures were proposed as an alternative to increase the output power either by combining on-chip or combining in air. In this work a fully integrated IQ Tx is to be presented with on-chip LO chain and 4-way power combined power amplifier. Baseband Signal Generation and Processing The baseband topology depend on the application. For mobile communication or localization use cases a wideband channels are not available directly from the digital processors, a kind of channel bonding is required either in the digital domain or in the analog domain. As a proof of concept we present here 3-IQ frequency interleaving combiner. Wireless Link Demonstrator Two demonstrators are to be presented. The first demonstrator is transmitting a broadband IQ signal generated from an arbitrary wave generator wirelessly utilizing an IQ 240GHz Tx and Rx. Data rates up to 100 Gbps were demonstrated across a 1m of wireless link. The second demonstrator includes the implementation of 3-channel IQ channelizer to create the complex modulated signal at several intermediate frequencies (IFs) and then upconverted to the 240GHz carrier signal. On the Rx side the de-channelizer convert the down modulated signal to three IQ channels. Data rates up to 8Gbps were demonstrated wirelessly with the channelization with potential of further enhancements for more channels integration. Outlook The future of the sub-THz wireless links for high speed communication and localizations goes towards implementing phased array and MIMO systems. This requires the research community to develop novel architectures to develop large scale arrays with acceptable power consumptions and suitable packaging solution. On the baseband side also the channel bonding solutions are still in an early stage, requiring more work to bond modularly larger number of channels.

Design of a Novel 2.4GHz RF Transmitter

The world of Wireless Technology has been improving consistently due to its high speed and reliability. Some of the demands that need to be fulfilled include larger network capacity, improved data rates and so on. This paper focuses on the design and simulation of the Transmitter, which is a key component in an RF Transceiver Module. It is built by cascading an Up Conversion Mixer, a Bandpass Filter and a Power Amplifier as its most fundamental units. The Cadence Virtuoso Tool was used to construct this Transmitter block in 180nm node technology. The IF signal to the Mixer is 100 MHz and the LO signal is 2.3GHz. The 2.4GHz amplified RF output is taken from the Power Amplifier. A 1dB compression point of -25.91 dBm and an IIP3 of 10.14 dBm is observed for the proposed design. Future work involves testing its integrity with an RF Receiver module that has appropriate modulation schemes in place and converting it into a physical layout-based IC.

Design of a Novel 2.4GHz RF Transmitter

The world of Wireless Technology has been improving consistently due to its high speed and reliability. Some of the demands that need to be fulfilled include larger network capacity, improved data rates and so on. This paper focuses on the design and simulation of the Transmitter, which is a key component in an RF Transceiver Module. It is built by cascading an Up Conversion Mixer, a Bandpass Filter and a Power Amplifier as its most fundamental units. The Cadence Virtuoso Tool was used to construct this Transmitter block in 180nm node technology. The IF signal to the Mixer is 100 MHz and the LO signal is 2.3GHz. The 2.4GHz amplified RF output is taken from the Power Amplifier. A 1dB compression point of -25.91 dBm and an IIP3 of 10.14 dBm is observed for the proposed design. Future work involves testing its integrity with an RF Receiver module that has appropriate modulation schemes in place and converting it into a physical layout-based IC.

Wideband ring mixer for band #1 of MB-OFDM systems in 180 nm CMOS technology

Abstract A wideband down conversion ring mixer is proposed for multi band orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (MB-OFDM) system in 180 nm CMOS technology. The mixer is essentially used in a heterodyne wireless receiver to enhance the selectivity of the system. Being a nonlinear system, the mixer dominates the overall performance of the system. The design of down conversion mixer is the most challenging part of a receive chain. Wideband impedance matching always remains a challenge in any radio frequency integrated circuit design. This paper presents the design of a ring mixer with high linearity, wideband impedance matching using differential resistive impedance matching and without using any DC bias. The proposed mixer is tuned for a frequency of 3.432 GHz of band 1 of the MB-OFDM system. Mixer core is based on the FET ring mixer topology. The mixer is implemented in 180 nm CMOS technology. The mixer achieves the minimum conversion loss of 10.49 dB, 1 dB compression point (P1) of 12.40 dBm, third order input intercept point (IIP3) of 12.01 dBm, a minimum SSB noise figure of 8.99 dB, and S 11 of less than -10 dB over the frequency range of 0 to 13.61 GHz . The layout of the mixer records an active area of 183.75 μm 2 .

High gain and low noise wideband folded-switching mixer employing transformer and complimentary CS/CG hybrid topology

In this paper, a high gain and low noise wideband folded-switching down conversion mixer has been designed. A differential complimentary common source/common gate (CS/CG) hybrid topology is utilized as the input RF transconductor stage, where a transformer is subtly applied to the source nodes of the complimentary CS/CG transistors. With the transformer and complimentary CS/CG hybrid topology as the input RF transconductor for both RF signal amplification and chip area reduction, the conversion gain, noise figure, input impedance matching, and chip area-efficiency of the mixer can be signficantly improved. Under a 0.8 ​V supply voltage and 1 ​dBm LO power, the mixer exhibits a conversion gain of 12.2–17.9 ​dB and a double-sideband noise figure of 2.6–6.1 ​dB between RF frequencies from 3.0 to 7.0 ​GHz. The IIP3 is −6.5 ​dBm at the RF frequency of 5.0 ​GHz while consuming only 2.72 ​mW of power at an IF frequency of 100 ​MHz. The chip area is only 0.55 ​mm ​× ​0.65 ​mm.

Design and Analysis of a Reconfigurable Gilbert Mixer for Software-Defined Radios.

A reconfigurable -boosted, image-rejected downconversion mixer is presented in this paper using the SiGe 8 HP technology. The proposed mixer operates within 0.9–13.5 GHz that is suitable for software-defined radio applications. The conversion mixer comprises of resistive biased radio frequency (RF) section, double balanced Gilbert cell mixer core sections divided as per I and Q stages for image-rejection purpose, inductively peaked -boosting section and tunable filter section, respectively. In comparison to previous works in the scientific literature, the design shows enhanced conversion gain (CG), noise figure (NF), and image-rejection ratio (IRR). For the entire band of operation, the mixer attains a good return loss of <−10 dB. Additionally, the design accomplishes an excellent CG of 22 dB, NF of 2.5 dB, and an image-rejection ratio of 30.2 dB at maximum frequency. Finally, a third-order intercept point (IP3) of −3.28 dBm and 1 dB compression point (CP1) of −13 dBm, respectively, shows moderate linearity performance.

Design and Optimization of Double Balanced Gilbert Cell Mixer in 130 nm CMOS Process

An improved design procedure for double balanced Gilbert cell mixer is proposed for specific gain and power requirements at various license exempted frequency ranges for a variety of wireless equipment in India. The down conversion mixer design is aimed to carry out in 130 nm CMOS process. At 2.5 mW d.c power, a conversion gain of over 10 dB and a noise figure under 10 dB is intended at minimum overdrives for transconductance and switching stages of the mixer. Several optimization techniques for enhancement of gain, linearity and noise performances of the designed mixer are presented. An improvement in linearity about 10 dBm is targeted for 1-dB gain compression as well as third order intercept points introducing a unique criterion to integrate and exhaustively explore the enhancement techniques while preserving the gain as well as noise performance of the mixer.

Integrated Optical SSB Modulation / Frequency Shifting Using Cascaded Silicon MZM

A frequency conversion mixer or single side band modulator using two cascaded MZM is proven experimentally. The operation of the circuit is modelled by a transfer matrix approach and verified by simulation in support of the experiment. A 10 GHz shift of the optical carrier in both left and right direction is demonstrated. The residual sideband suppression relative to the enhanced sideband is 22 dB for the best cases. Numerical analysis shows that the circuit has 3-dB optical and 3-dB electrical intrinsic advantage over the functionally equivalent DP-MZM.

Design of down conversion ring mixer using 45 nm Metal gate High-K Strained-Si CMOS Technology for RF applications

A FET Quad ring RF down conversion mixer is designed using Predictive Technology Model (PTM) High Performance 45 nm Metal Gate High-K Strained-Si CMOS model for RF applications. Mixer is designed for 450 MHz band with RF frequency of 464 MHz, IF frequency of 5 MHz and LO frequency of 469 MHz. High-k metal gate transistors are used due to their enhanced performance and low gate leakage current. A Low pass RC type filter is used at the mixer output to reject high frequency spurious frequency components. The mixer is well tuned for required performance parameters with special reference to 450 MHz narrow band IOT applications. The mixer shows the minimum conversion loss of −11.07 dB, 1 dB compression point (P1dB) of 3.10 dBm, SSB noise figure of 8.364 dB and high isolation of 171 dB both for LO to RF, LO to IF ports and 40 dB isolation value for RF to IF port.

Symmetric Traveling Wave Parametric Amplifier

We developed and experimentally tested a Symmetric Traveling Wave Parametric Amplifier (STWPA) based on Three-Wave Mixing, using the new concept of a Symmetric rf- SQUID. This allows to fully control the second and third order nonlinearities of the STWPA by applying external currents. In this way, the optimal bias point can be reached, taking into account both phase mismatch and pump depletion minimization. The structure was tested at 4.2K, showing a 4GHz bandwidth and a maximum estimated gain of 17dB. STWPA showed also great flexibility, allowing up-down conversion mixer operations and rf-controlled switch.

A 30–40 GHz CMOS Receiver Front-End with 5.9 dB NF and 16.5 dB Conversion Gain for Broadband Spectrum Sensing Applications

A broadband receiver front-end with low noise figure and flat conversion gain response is presented in this paper. The receiver front-end is a part of the broadband spectrum sensing receiver and processes 30–40 GHz of broad input spectrum followed by down-conversion to DC-10 GHz of IF signal. The proposed work is comprised of a low noise amplifier (LNA), on-chip passive Balun, down conversion mixer, and output buffer. To achieve front-end target specification over 10 GHz input bandwidth, the stagger-tuned LNA is employed and the down conversion mixer is loaded with a 3rd-order LC ladder low pass filter. The prototype chip was implemented in 45 nm CMOS technology. The chip achieves 10.3–16.5 dB conversion gain, 5.9 dB integrated NF, and −11 dBm IIP3 from 30 to 40 GHz. The chip is realized within 0.42 mm 2 and consumes 96 mW from a 1.2 V supply.

A High Gain Low Noise Figure Double Balanced Down Conversion Mixer for Band 1 of WiMedia System

Objective: To propose an improved double balanced down conversion mixer for band 1 of WiMedia system at RF frequency of 3.432 GHz and IF frequency of 264 MHz. Method/Analysis: The proposed mixer is based on the Gilbert cell architecture. It uses switch bias technique to improve the noise figure and resistive current injection technique to improve the conversion gain and linearity. A resonating inductor is used to cancel out the effects of parasitic capacitances. Moreover, T type impedance matching, LC impedance matching and output buffer are used at RF trans conductance stage, LO switching stage and load stage respectively for matching purpose. Mixer is simulated in 0.18 μm CMOS technology using keysight Advanced Design System (ADS) software. Findings: Simulation results show that mixer achieves maximum conversion gain of 8.057 dB, third order Input Intercept Point (IIP3) of -10.88 dBm, Double Sideband (DSB) noise figure of 3.515 dB and S11 of -22.926 dB at 1.8 V dc supply voltage. Novelty/Improvement: A high gain, low noise figure double balanced down conversion mixer with low value of input reflection coefficient and suitable linearity is proposed for band 1 of Wimedia system. Keywords: Current Injection Technique, Double Balanced, Down Conversion Mixer, L and T Type Matching Networks, Switch Bias Technique, Wimedia System

High gain and Low power Up conversion Mixer for Wireless LAN Applications

This work aims an efficient RF Up-Conversion Mixer at Intermediate frequency of 100MHz and Local oscillator frequency of 2.3GHz. The proposed RF Up-Conversion Mixer exhibited better performance in terms of parameter like conversion gain and power consumption. The Simulation of Up-Conversion Mixer shows that the results of voltage conversion gain with LO power at 0dB is 5dB, at 5dB is 4.9dB, and at 10dB is 4.7dB. The power consumption of proposed design is 6mW. The 1dB compression point is -5.43dBm and third order intercept point is 10.53dBm.

Integrated 240-GHz Dielectric Sensor With dc Readout Circuit in a 130-nm SiGe BiCMOS Technology

This paper presents a high-integration miniaturized dielectric spectroscopy system for sensing the change of permittivity at 240 GHz in the SiGe BiCMOS technology. The sensor features a transducer with a resonator to perform bandpass frequency response, whose complex value of $S_{21}$ is varied with the permittivity of the sample under test. This variation can be detected and recorded as the change of amplitude and phase of the 240-GHz in-phase and quadrature direct conversion mixer. An external 30-GHz source is employed with cascade frequency multiplier chain to deliver a signal through the system with a wide tuning range of 215–245 GHz. An additional probe is employed to carry the sample and implement chip measurements on the probe station. The sensing function of this system is performed with the leaded wire as a metallic sample to be placed on the top of the transducer. Based on the measured dc output voltage changes, the calculated magnitude and phase of IQ signal in the 215–245-GHz range are used to estimate the complex permittivity change of MUTs. This dielectric spectroscopy system is also suitable for sensing the complexy permittivity change at higher frequencies in the future terahertz Lab-on-Chip measurements.

A High Linearity High Gain Double Balanced Down Conversion Mixer Using Current Bleeding for Mode 1 of UWB System

This work presents high linearity and high gain CMOS down conversion Gilbert cell mixer for ultra wide band application, designed in 0.18𝜇𝑚 technology. Inductive source degeneration is used at the RF trans-conductance stage of Gilbert cell mixer to improve the linearity of the mixer. Differential LC matching is used at RF and LO stage and current bleeding is used to increases the conversion gain and linearity of the mixer. Output buffer is used at the load to achieve 50 ohm impedance match. The proposed mixer shows low reflection coefficient less than –10 dB for entire band 1, band 2, and band 3 ranges from 3.168 GHz to 4.752 GHz frequency. The proposed mixer works at DC supply of 1.5 volt for low power consumption. Simulation results shows that the mixer achieves the conversion gain of 11.03 dB, 1 dB compression point of -14.65 dB, IIP3 is 0.257 dBm, input return loss is –24.292 dB and measured matched RF (input) port impedance of 48.79 ohm.

An &lt;italic&gt;E&lt;/italic&gt;-band Double-Balanced Subharmonic Mixer With High Conversion Gain and Low Power in 90-nm CMOS Process

In this letter, an E-band double-balanced subharmonic down conversion mixer is presented. The proposed mixer demonstrates a conversion gain (CG) of 5.3 ~ 9 dB at RF frequencies 70-88 GHz under local oscillator (LO) power -4 dBm. The input 1-dB compression power (IP1 dB) and the input third-order intercept point (IIP3) at RF frequency of 77 GHz are -13 and -3 dBm, respectively. The 2LO-to-RF isolations of RF frequencies 70-88 GHz are all better than 40 dB. The overall dc power consumption (dc bias with injecting LO power) is 5 mW. The mixer is fabricated in a TSMC 90-nm CMOS process and it occupies an area of 0.3195 mm 2 . By applying weak-inversion region to generate subharmonic mixing function and with the combination of LO gate-pumped operation and source-pumped operation, this proposed mixer achieves high CG and low LO power with low dc power consumption among the published subharmonic mixers.

Vital Signal Radar With Adaptive Compensation Circuits to Effectively Eliminate DC Offsets

A new type of vital signal radar with adaptive dc compensation circuits that can automatically eliminate the dc offsets caused by clutter signals without software controlled units is presented. The theoretical analysis of the dc compensation circuits, which are connected to the outputs of a direct conversion mixer will be described. A 2.5-GHz experimental prototype was fabricated on a printed circuit board substrate to verify the proposed adaptively compensated radar. All circuits are realized by commercially available devices. Measurements show very good agreement with theoretical prediction. The radar can be used with only a single antenna connected to the proposed module and have successfully detected clearly heartbeat and respiration signals at any distance within the detectable range by incorporating phase-shifting technique.