Measuring in-band distortions of mixers

Abstract

This paper proposes a method to measure the in-band deterministic and stochastic contributions of nonlinear distortions in mixers. The model of the mixer as a two or three port device is developed. Based on this model, the measurement technique which is a generalization of the methods developed for amplifiers is developed. While designing the measurements method, the difficulties that arise out of the fundamental differences between mixers (3-port devices) and amplifiers (2-port devices) are taken into account. Two techniques are presented, depending on the fact that the phase of the local oscillator is known or unknown.