A mixer frontend for a four-channel Modulated Wideband Converter with 62 dB blocker rejection

Abstract

The Modulated Wideband Converter promises to improve receiver flexibility for cognitive radios by leveraging compressive sensing techniques. We present a prototype IC that adds signal reception to previously demonstrated signal detection. Refactoring the mixing sequence between detection and reception enables targeted reception and blocker rejection. We algorithmically design a three-level mixing sequence and additionally employ delay-based harmonic cancellation. When applied together in our 65-nm chip, we measure 62 dB of in-band blocker rejection, while receiving up to four channels between 0 and 900 MHz.