An 8.4-12.0 GHz down-conversion mixer implemented in SiGe HBT technology

Abstract

An 8.4-12.0 GHz down-conversion mixer, implemented in SiGe HBT technology, is presented. The mixer achieves a conversion gain of 12.6 dB, a return loss greater than 14 dB, and a noise figure less than 12.4 dB over the band of operation. The mixer also achieves an input-referred third order intercept point of -0.45 dBm, and an output 1 dB compression point of 2 dBm at an IF of 1.25 GHz, and dissipates only 12 mW for the mixer core, off of a 3.0 V supply. This work also proposes a new mixer figure-of-merit to facilitate a more comprehensive comparison of mixer performance with varying technologies and architectures.