An integrated Ku-band quasi-planar circuit mixer

Abstract

A Ku-band integrated circuit balanced mixer using commercially available beam-lead diodes is described. Etched from a 17.5- mu m-copper cladded RT-Duroid 5880 substrate with a thickness of 254 mu m, the planar circuit board is sandwiched between the two parts of a waveguide split-block housing. Since the manufacturing accuracy mainly depends on the low etching tolerances, the design is especially suitable for millimeter-wave applications. 8-dB conversion loss, a 5.6-dB DSB noise figure, and isolation values of 35 dB are obtained for the Ku-band prototype operating in the self-biasing mode.<>