Mixer Design

Introduction to mixers
Mixer metrics
Mixer topologies
Mixer performance analysis
Mixer design issues
1

What is a mixer
Frequency translation device
Convert RF frequency to a lower IF or base band for
easy signal processing in receivers
Convert base band signal or IF frequency to a higher
IF or RF frequency for efficient transmission in
transmitters

Creative use of nonlinearity or time-variance

These are usually harmful and unwanted
They generates frequencies not present at input

Used together with appropriate filtering

Remove unwanted frequencies
2

Two operation mechanisms

Nonlinear transfer function
Use device nonlinearities creatively!
Intermodulation creates the desired
frequency and unwanted frequencies

Switching or sampling
A time-varying process
Preferred; fewer spurs
Active mixers
Passive mixers
3

An ideal nonlinearity mixer

If

x(t ) A cos 1t
y (t ) B cos 2t

x(t)y(t)

x(t)
y(t)

Then the output is

AB
AB
A cos 1t B cos 2t
cos(1 2 )t
cos(1 2 )t
2
2
down convert

up convert

Commutating switch mixer

VRF (t )

VLO (t )

VLO (t )

VIF (t )

VRF (t ) VLO (t )

ARF sin RF t sq LO t
2
1

ARF cos( RF LO )t cos 3( RF LO )t

A non-ideal mixer

Mixer Metrics
Conversion gain lowers noise impact of
following stages
Noise Figure impacts receiver sensitivity
Port isolation want to minimize interaction
between the RF, IF, and LO ports
Linearity (IIP3) impacts receiver blocking
performance
Spurious response
Power match want max voltage gain rather than
power match for integrated designs
Power want low power dissipation
Sensitivity to process/temp variations need to
make it manufacturable in high volume
7

Conversion Gain
Conversion gain or loss is the ratio of the
desired IF output (voltage or power) to the RF
input signal value ( voltage or power).
r.m.s. voltage of the IF signal
Voltage Conversion Gain
r.m.s. voltage of the RF signal
IF power delivered to the load
Power Conversion Gain
Available power from the source
If the input impedance and the load impedance of the
mixer are both equal to the source impedance, then the
voltage conversion gain and the power conversion gain of
the mixer will be the same in dBs.
8

Noise Figures: SSB vs DSB

Signal
band

Signal
band

Image
band

Thermal
noise

Thermal
noise
LO

LO

IF

Single side band

Double side band

SSB Noise Figure

Broadband noise from mixer or front end filter will be

located in both image and desired bands
Noise from both image and desired bands will combine
in desired channel at IF output
Channel filter cannot remove this
10

DSB Noise Figure

For zero IF, there is no image band

Noise from positive and negative frequencies combine, but the
signals combine as well

DSB noise figure is 3 dB lower than SSB noise figure

DSB noise figure often quoted since it sounds better
11

Port-to-Port Isolations
Isolation
Isolation between RF, LO and IF ports
LO/RF and LO/IF isolations are the most
important features.
Reducing LO leakage to other ports can be
solved by filtering.
IF

RF

LO

12

LO Feed through

Feed through from the LO port to IF output port due to

parasitic capacitance, power supply coupling, etc.
Often significant due to strong LO output signal
If large, can potentially desensitize the receiver due to the extra
dynamic range consumed at the IF output
If small, can generally be removed by filter at IF output
13

Reverse LO Feed through

Reverse feed through from the LO port to RF

input port due to parasitic capacitance, etc.
If large, and LNA doesnt provide adequate isolation,
then LO energy can leak out of antenna and violate
emission standards for radio
Must insure that isolation to antenna is adequate
14

Self-Mixing of Reverse LO Feedthrough

LO component in the RF input can pass back

through the mixer and be modulated by the LO
signal
DC and 2fo component created at IF output
Of no consequence for a heterodyne system, but can
cause problems for homodyne systems (i.e., zero IF)
15

Nonlinearity in Mixers

Ignoring dynamic effects, three nonlinearities around an

ideal mixer
Nonlinearity A: same impact as LNA nonlinearity
Nonlinearity B: change the spectrum of LO signal
Cause additional mixing that must be analyzed
Change conversion gain somewhat

Nonlinearity C: cause self mixing of IF output

16

Focus on Nonlinearity in RF Input Path

Nonlinearity B not detrimental in most cases

LO signal often a square wave anyway

Nonlinearity C avoidable with linear loads

Nonlinearity A can hamper rejection of interferers
Characterize with IIP3 as with LNA designs
Use two-tone test to measure (similar to LNA)
17

Spurious Response
IF m RF n LO
IF
LO
IF LO
n
m, 0

1
RF
RF
RF RF
y n x m 0 y x 1
y IF RF
IF Band

x LO RF
18

Mixer topologies
Discrete implementations:
Single-diode and diode-ring mixers

IC implementations:
MOSFET passive mixer
Active mixers
Gilbert-cell based mixer
Square law mixer
Sub-sampling mixer
Harmonic mixer
19

Single-diode passive mixer

VLO
VLO
L

RL

VIF

VRF

ID

VIF
VD

Simplest and oldest passive mixer

The output RLC tank tuned to match IF
Input = sum of RF, LO and DC bias
No port isolation and no conversion gain.
Extremely useful at very high frequency (millimeter wave band)

20

Single-balanced diode mixer

VLO

VIF

VLO
L

RL

t
VRF

VIF

Poor gain
Good LO-IF isolation
Good LO-RF isolation
Poor RF-IF isolation
Attractive for very high frequency applications where
transistors are slow.

21

Double-balanced diode mixer

VLO
VLO

VIF

VRF

VIF

Poor gain (typically -6dB)

Good LO-IF LO-RF RF-IF isolation
Good linearity and dynamic range
Attractive for very high frequency applications where
transistors are slow.

22

CMOS Passive Mixer

RS

VLO

M1

M2

VLO

M4

VLO

VIF

VLO

M3

M1 through M4 act as switches

23

CMOS Passive Mixer

Use switches to perform the mixing operation

No bias current required
Allows low power operation to be achieved
24

CMOS Passive Mixer

RFLO+

LO-

IF

RF+
Same idea, redrawn
RC filter not shown
IF amplifier can be frequency selective

[*] T. Lee

25

CMOS Passive Mixer

I M1

VLO

LO
RF

VOUT

GC

Vout IF 4

VRF RF

4
4
4

Cos LOt Cos 3 LOt

Cos 5 LOt ...
3
5

Vout VRF .Cos RF t

26

CMOS Passive Mixer

Non-50% duty cycle of LO results in no DC offsets!!
I M1

VLO

t
DC-term of LO

LO
RF

VOUT
t

4
4
4

Vout VRF .Cos RF t DC Cos LOt

Cos 3 LOt
Cos 5 LOt ...

3
5

27

CMOS Passive Mixer with Biasing

VLO

200
VLO

VLO

Cbias 1nF

RS 200

VS

Vgg

Rsd

Rgg

VLO

M1

VLOCbias 1nF
Rgg

RL 2k

M2

Vsd

CL

M 2'

M 1'
Rsd

Cbias 1nF
28

A Highly Linear CMOS Mixer

Transistors are alternated between the off and triode regions by the LO
signal
RF signal varies resistance of channel when in triode
Large bias required on RF inputs to achieve triode operation
High linearity achieved, but very poor noise figure

29

Simple Switching Mixer (Single Balanced Mixer)

The transistor M1
converts the RF
voltage signal to the
current signal.
Transistors M2 and
M3 commute the
current between the
two branches.

RL

RL

VLO

M2

Vout

M3

VLO

I DC I RF
VRF

M1

30

Single balanced active mixer, BJT

Single-ended input
Differential LO
Differential output
QB provides gain
for vin

Q1 and Q2 steer the

current back and
forth at LO

VCC

RL

RL
+ out -

LO+

vin + DC

Q1

Q2

LO-

QB

vout = gmvinRL
31

Double Balanced Mixer

RL

VLO

M2

VRF

RL

VOUT

M3

I DC I RF

VLO

M2

VRF

M3

VLO

I DC I RF

Strong LO-IF feed suppressed by double balanced mixer.

All the even harmonics cancelled.
All the odd harmonics doubled (including the signal).
32

Gilbert Mixer

Use a differential pair to achieve the transconductor

implementation
This is the preferred mixer implementation for most radio
systems!

33

Double balanced mixer, BJT

Basically two SB mixers
One gets +vin/2, the other gets vin/2
VCC

RL

RL
+ out -

LO+

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

LO+

LOQB1

+ vin -

QB2

34

Mixers based on MOS square law

Cl arg e

I ds K SQ . VGSQ VT 0

Rb

VLO

VBB1
VRF

I ds K SQ . Vbias VRF VLO VT 0

K SQ . Vbias VT 0 VRF VLO 2 Vbias VT 0 . VRF VLO

2

(VRF VLO ) 2 gives rise to

cos( RF LO )t and cos( RF LO )t

35

Practical Square Law Mixers

I ds K SQ . VGSQ VT 0

Cl arg e

Rb
VRF

Cl arg e

VBB1

I BIAS

VLO

The conversion gain can be shown to be

CoxW
K sqVLO
VLO
2L
36

Practical Bipolar Mixer

Cl arg e

IC ICO . e

Rb
VRF

VBE
VT

Cl arg e

VBB1

I BIAS

VLO

The conversion gain can be shown to be

I CQ
2
T

VLO
37

MOSFET Mixer (with impedance matching)

VDD

Cmatch

IF Filter

RL

VBB2
RS

Cl arg e

Lg

I ds K SQ . VGSQ VT 0

RLO

Rb
VRF

VBB1

Le

Cl arg e

Matching
Network

VLO

38

Sub-sampling Mixer

Properly designed track-and-hold circuit works

as sub-sampling mixer.
The sampling clocks jitter must be very small
Noise folding leads to large mixer noise figure.
High linearity

39

Harmonic Mixer
Emitter-coupled BJTs work as
two limiters.
Odd symmetry suppress even
order distortion eg LO selfmixing.
Small RF signal modulates zero
crossing of large LO signal.
Output rectangular wave in PWM
LPF demodulate the PWM
Harmonic mixer has low self-mixing DC offset, very
attractive for direct conversion application.
The RF signal will mix with the second harmonic of the LO.
So the LO can run at half rate, which makes VCO design
easier.
Because of the harmonic mixing, conversion gain is
usually small

40

Features of Square Law Mixers

Noise Figure: The square law MOSFET mixer can be
designed to have very low noise figure.
Linearity: true square law MOSFET mixer produces only
DC, original tones, difference, and sum tones
The corresponding BJT mixer produces a host of nonlinear components due to the exponential function
Power Dissipation: The square law mixer can be designed
with very low power dissipation.
Power Gain: Reasonable power gain can be achieved
through the use of square law mixers.
Isolation: Square law mixers offer poor isolation from LO
to RF port. This is by far the biggest short coming of the
square law mixers.
41

Mixer performance analysis

Analyze major metrics
Conversion gain
Port isolation
Noise figure/factor
Linearity, IIP3

Gain insights into design constraints and

compromise

42

Common Emitter Mixer

Single-ended input
Differential LO
Differential output
QB provides gain
for vin

Q1 and Q2 steer the

current left and
right at LO

VCC

RL

RL
+ out -

LO+

vin + DC

Q1

Q2

LO-

QB

43

Common Emitter Mixer

Conversion gain

VCC

Two output component:

RL

RL

vout1 = gmvinRL
vout2 = IQBDCRL

+ out -

LO+

Q1

Q2

LO-

IF signal is the RF LO
component in vout1

vin + DC

QB

So gain = ?
44

Common Emitter Mixer

Port isolation

VCC

At what frequency is
Vout2 switching?

RL

RL
+ out -

vout2 = IQBDCRL
LO+

Q1

Q2

LO-

vout2 = SW(LO)IQBDCRL
This is feed through from
LO to output

vin + DC

QB

45

Common Emitter Mixer

Port isolation

VCC

How about LO to RF?

RL

This feed through is

much smaller than LO
to output

RL
+ out -

LO+

vin + DC

Q1

Q2

LO-

QB

46

Common Emitter Mixer

Port isolation

VCC

How about RF to LO?

RL

If LO is generating a
square wave signal, its
output impedance is
very small, resulting in
small feed through
from RF to LO to
output.

RL
+ out -

LO+

vin + DC

Q1

Q2

LO-

QB

47

Common Emitter Mixer

Port isolation

VCC

What about RF to output?

RL

Ideally, contribution to
output is:

RL
+ out -

SW(LO)*gmvinRL

LO+

What can go wrong and

cause an RF component
at the output?

vin + DC

Q1

Q2

LO-

QB

48

Common Emitter Mixer

Noise Components:
1. Noise due to loads
2. Noise due to the
input transistor (QB)
3. Noise due to
switches (Q1 and Q2)

RL

RL
+ out -

LO+

LOQ1

Q2

QB

49

Common Emitter Mixer

1. Noise due to loads:
Each RL contributes
vRL2 = 4kTRLf
Since they are
uncorrelated with
each other, their noise
powers add
Total contribution of
RLs: voRL2 = 8kTRLf

RL

RL
+ out -

LO+

LOQ1

Q2

QB

50

Common Emitter Mixer

2. Noise due input
transistor (the
transducer):
From BJT device
model, equivalent
input noise voltage
of a CE amplifier is:
2
in CE

1
f
4kT rb
2gm

RL

RL
+ out -

LO+

LOQ1

Q2

QB

51

Common Emitter Mixer

2. Noise due to input
transistor:
If this is a differential
amplifier, QB noise
would be common
mode
But Q1 and Q2 just
switching, the noise just
appears at either
v
terminal of out:
in(CE)

2
out ,QB

RL

RL
+ out -

LO+

LOQ1

Q2

QB

gain v
2

2
in CE

52

Common Emitter Mixer

2. Noise due to input
transistor:
Noise at the two
terminals dependent?
Accounted for by
incorporating a factor
n.
2
out ,QB

n gain v

2
out ,QB

g m RL 4nkT

v
v

2
in CE

RL

RL
+ out -

LO+

LOQ1

Q2

QB

vin(CE) 2

1
f
rb
2gm

53

Common Emitter Mixer

Total Noise due to RL

and QB:

RL

If we assume rb is very
small:
g m RL
vT2

8kTRL 1

f
4

When:

RL
+ out -

LO+

LOQ1

Q2

QB

rb << 1/(2gm) and

n=1
54

Common Emitter Mixer

3. What about the noise due
to switches?

When Q2 is off and Q1 is

on, acting like a cascode or
more like a resister if LO is
LO+
strong
Can show that Q1s noise
has little effect on vout
VE1~VC1, VBE1 has similar
noise as VC1, which cause
jitter in the time for Q1 to
turn off if the edges of LO
are not infinitely steep

RL

RL
+ out LOQ1

Q2

QB

55

Common Emitter Mixer

3. What about the noise
due to switches:
RL

Transition time jitter

in the switching signal:

RL
+ out -

LO+

LOQ1

Q2

QB
no noise
noise

Effect is quite complex, quantitative analysis later

56

Common Emitter Mixer

How to improve Noise

Figure of mixer:
Reduce RL
Increase gm and
reduce rb of QB
Faster switches
Steeper rise or fall
edge in LO
Less jitter in LO

RL

RL
+ out -

LO+

LOQ1

Q2

QB

57

Common Emitter Mixer

IP3:
The CE input transistor
(QB) converts vin to Iin

BJTs cause 3rd-order

harmonics

Multiplying by RL is
linear operation
Q1 & Q2 only modulate
the frequency
IP3mixer = IP3CEs Vbe->I
I QB I s e

(VBB vin ) / vt

RL

RL
+ out -

LO+

LOQ1

Q2

QB

1
1 2
1 3
I DC (1 vin 2 vin 3 vin ...)
vt
2v t
6v t

58

Double Balanced Mixer

Basically two CE mixers
One gets +vin/2, the other gets vin/2
VCC

RL

RL
+ out -

LO+

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

LO+

LOQB1

+ vin -

QB2

59

Double Balanced Mixer

+1

-1
Local Oscillator

vout = gmvinRL
vout = gmvinRL
60

Double Balanced Mixer

Benefits:
Fully Differential
No output signal at LO

Three stages:
CE input stages
Switches
Output load

61

Double Balanced Mixer

Noise:
Suppose QB1 & QB2
give similar total gm
Similar to CE Mixer

VCC

RL

RL
+ out -

IP3:
Similar Taylor series
LO+
expansion of
transducer transistors
Vin split between two
Qs, it can double
before reaching the
same level of
nonlinearity
IIP3 improved by 3 dB

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

LO+

LOQB1

+ vin -

QB2

62

Common Base Mixers

Similar operation to CE
mixers
Different input stage
QB is CB

VC C

RL
+ out -

LO+

Slightly different output

noise
Different CB input noise

Better linearity

RL

V Bias

Q1

Q2

LO-

QB

vin
IDC

63

Mixer Improvements
Debiasing switches
from input transistors:
To lower NF we want
high gm, but low Q1
and Q2 current
Conflicting!

We can set low ISwitches

and high IQb using a
current source
g m RL
2c
NF 1 2
1

g m RL RS
4

64

MOS Single Balanced Mixer

The transistor M1
converts the RF
voltage signal to the
current signal.
Transistors M2 and
M3 commute the
current between the
two branches.

RL

RL

VLO

M2

Vout

M3

VLO

I DC I RF
VRF

M1

65

MOS Single Balanced Mixer

I M1

VLO
t

VOUT
t

66

MOS Single Balanced Mixer

VOUT
t

IF Filter

VOUT

67

MOS Single Balanced Mixer

IF Filter

RF

IF

LO

LO RF

RF LO

LO RF

LO RF

68

MOS Single Balanced Mixer

RF

SMIX

SLO LO

LO RF

RF LO

2 LO

3 LO

69

Single Balanced Mixer

(Incl. RF input Impd. Match)
RL

VLO

RS
VS

RL

Vout

M3

M2

Cl arg e

Lg

VLO

GM VRF

Rb
VGG

Ls

This architecture, without impedance matching for the LO port, is very

commonly used in many designs.
70

Single Balanced Mixer

(Incl. RF & LO Impd. Match)
VGG 2

VLO

VGG 2
RL

Lg

RL

Vout

M3

M2
Lm2
RS

VS

Cl arg e

Lg

Lg

VLO

Lm3
GM VRF

Rb
VGG1

Ls

This architecture, with impedance matching for the LO port,

maximizes LO power utilization without wasting it.
71

Single Balanced Mixer Analysis: Linearity

RL

VLO

RS

Lg

Rb
VGG

Vout

M3

M2

Cl arg e

VS

RL

VLO

GM VRF

Ls

Linearity of the Mixer primarily depends on the linearity of the transducer

(I_tail=Gm*V_rf). Inductor Ls helps improve linearity of the transducer.
The transducer transistor M1 can be biased in the linear law region to improve
the linearity of the Mixer. Unfortunately this results in increasing the noise
figure of the mixer (as discussed in LNA design).
72

Single Balanced Mixer Analysis: Linearity

RL

VLO

M2

Vout

RL

VLO

M3

VGG

RS
Ibias

Cc

VS

Using the common gate stage as the transducer improves the linearity of
the mixer. Unfortunately the approach reduces the gain and increases
the noise figure of the mixer.
73

Single Balanced Mixer Analysis: Isolation

RL

VLO

RL

Vout

M3

M2

VLO
0.5TLO

LO-RF Feed through

RS
VS

Cl arg e

Lg

Rb
VGG

GM VRF

Ls

0.5TLO

0.5TLO
0.5TLO

The strong LO easily feeds through and ends up at the RF port in the
above architecture especially if the LO does not have a 50% duty
cycle. Why?
74

Single Balanced Mixer Analysis: Isolation

VLO

M3

M2

VLO

GM VRF
VBB2

RS

Cl arg e

VS

Lg

Rb
VBB1

Weak LO-RF Feed through

Ls

The amplified RF signal from the transducer is passed to the commuting switches
through use of a common gate stage ensuring that the mixer operation is unaffected.
Adding the common gate stage suppresses the LO-RF feed through.
75

Single Balanced Mixer Analysis: Isolation

RL

LO-IF Feed through

VLO

RS

Lg

Rb
VBB1

Vout

M3

M2

Cl arg e

VS

RL

VLO

GM VRF

Ls

The strong LO-IF feed-through may cause the mixer or the amplifier following the
mixer to saturate. It is therefore important to minimize the LO-IF feed-through.
76

Double Balanced Mixer

RL

VLO

M2

VRF

RL

VOUT

M3

I DC I RF

VLO

M2

VRF

M3

VLO

I DC I RF

Strong LO-IF feed suppressed by double balanced mixer.

All the even harmonics cancelled.
All the odd harmonics doubled (including the signal).
77

Double Balanced Mixer

RL

VLO

M2

RL

VOUT

Vout

M3

VLO

M2

I DC I RF
VRF

VRF

Vout

M3

VLO

I DC I RF

The LO feed through cancels.

The output voltage due to RF signal doubles.
78

Double Balanced Mixer: Linearity

RL

VLO

M3

M2

VRF

RL

VOUT

M1

VLO

M3

M2

I DC I RF

I DC I RF

M1

VLO

VRF

Show that:
K SQ 1/ 2
K SQ

1
VIF 2 I DC RL
*VRF .

2
I
2
2
I
DC

DC

3/ 2
3
RF

...

IIP3 in volts

8 I DC
3K SQ
79

Mixer Input Match

RS Rg T LS

RL

VLO

RS

Cl arg e

VS

Vout

1
Cgs

RL
M3

M2

VLO

Lg

Rb
VBB1

Lg Ls

Ls

80

Mixer Gain
RL

VLO

Vout

RL
M3

M2

VLO

I sig GM VRF GM ARF cos RF t

VRF

M1
GM

1
2 RS

TLO
0
: Vout Vcc I DC I sig .RL Vcc I DC I sig .RL
2
TLO
TLO : Vout Vcc Vcc I DC I sig .RL I DC I sig .RL
2
Vout sig I sig RL * SW I sig RL

4
1
1
1

cos

cos
3

cos
5

cos 7 LO t

LO
LO
LO

3
5
7

81

Mixer Output Match

Heterodyne Mixer:
If IF frequency is low (100-200MHz) and signal
bandwidth is high (many MHz), output impedance
matching is difficult due to:
The signal bandwidth is comparable to the IF
frequency therefore the impedance matching would
create gain and phase distortions
Need large inductors and capacitors to impedance
match at 200MHz

82

Mixer Output Match (IF)

400

L par 2nH
VCC 3.0V

RL 400
VLO

M2

VRF

Vout

M3

VLO

M1

83

Mixer Output Match (direct conversion)

RL CL

VLO

RS

Cl arg e

VS

M3

Vout

VLO

Lg

Rb
VBB1

M2

RL

Ls

84

Mixer Noise Analysis

RL

Vout

M3

M2

VLO

Instantaneous Switching

RL

VLO

VOUT
t

I DC ,mix I RF I Noise
VRF

M1

Noise in RF signal band and

in image band both mixed
into IF signal band

LO RF

RF LO

LO RF

85

Mixer Noise Analysis

RL

Vout

M3

M2

VLO

Finite Switching Time

RL

VLO

VOUT
t

I DC ,mix I RF I Noise
VRF

M1

If the switching is not instantaneous, additional noise from the switching pair will
be added to the mixer output.
Let us examine this in more detail.
86

Mixer Noise Analysis

Noise analysis of a single balanced mixer cont...:
RL

VLO

Vout

M 2 on

Finite Switching Time

RL
M 3 off

VLO

VOUT
t

I DC ,mix I RF I Noise
VRF

M1

When M2 is on and M3 is off:

M2 does not contribute any additional noise (M2 acts as
cascode)
M3 does not contribute any additional noise (M3 is off)
87

Mixer Noise Analysis

Noise analysis of a single balanced mixer cont...:
RL

VLO

Vout

M 2 off

Finite Switching Time

RL
M 3 on

VLO

VOUT
t

I DC ,mix I RF I Noise
VRF

M1

When M2 is off and M3 is on:

M2 does not contribute any additional noise (M2 is off)
M3 does not contribute any additional noise (M3 acts as
cascode)
88

Mixer Noise Analysis

Noise analysis of a single balanced mixer cont...:
RL

VLO

Vout

M 2 on

RL
M 3 on

Finite Switching Time

VLO

VOUT
t

I DC ,mix I RF I Noise
VRF

M1

When VLO+ = VLO- (i.e. the LO is passing through zero), the noise
contribution from the transducer (M1) is zero. Why?
However, the noise contributed from M2 and M3 is not zero
because both transistors are conducting and the noise in M2 and
M3 are uncorrelated.
89

Mixer Noise Analysis

Optimizing the mixer (for noise figure):

RL

VLO

M 2 on

Vout

RL
M 3 on

Trise

VOUT
VLO

I DC ,mix I RF I Noise

g m W ... fixed I DC
VRF
M1
1
T
... fixed I DC
W
Design the transducer for minimum noise figure.

Noise from M2, M3 minimized by fast switching :

making LO amplitude large
making M2 and M3 short (i.e. increasing fT of M2 and M3)
Noise from M2, M3 can be minimized by using wide M2/M3 switches.

90

Mixer Noise Analysis

Noise Figure Calculation:
Trise
RL

VLO

Vout

M 2 on

RL
M 3 on

VOUT
VLO

I DC ,mix I RF I Noise
VRF

M1

Let us calculate the noise figure including the contribution

of M2/M3 during the switching process.
91

Mixer Noise Analysis: RL Noise

Noise Analysis of Heterodyne Mixer (RL noise):

RL

VLO

Vout

M2

RL
M3

VLO

2
vnoise
RL 4kT 2 RL

I DC ,mix I RF I Noise
VRF

M1

IF

RF LO

92

Mixer Noise Analysis: Transducer Noise

Noise Analysis of Heterodyne Mixer (Transducer noise):

RL

VLO

Vout

M2

RL
M3

VLO

I DC ,mix I RF I Noise
VRF

VLO
t

M1

inoise M 1 switch inoise M 1 t .SW t

4
4
4

Cos LOt
Cos 3 LO t
Cos 5 LOt ...
3
5

inoise M 1 t .

93

Mixer Noise Analysis: Transducer Noise

Noise Analysis of Heterodyne Mixer (Trans-conductor noise):

inoise M 1 switch inoise M 1 t .SW t

4
4
4

Cos LO t
Cos 3 LO t
Cos 5 LO t ...
3
5

inoise M 1 t .

IF
2
noise M 1

SW f

3 LO

LO

4kT
f .
.4kTg m1
Rch

5 LO

2
inoise
M 1 IF 2.

4
4
LO 3 LO ...

4
1 1
. 1 2 2 .. . 4kTg m1

3 5

2
inoise
M 1 IF 4. 4kTg m1

94

Mixer Noise Analysis: Switch Noise

Noise Analysis of Heterodyne Mixer (switch noise):

id
VLO

M 2 on

M 3 on

id 2 id 3

4 kT
4 kTgm
Rch

VLO

vgn .

4kT
gm

gm vgs

id

gm vgs

95

Mixer Noise Analysis: Switch Noise

Noise Analysis of Heterodyne Mixer (switch noise):

iout iout
RL

VLO

Vout

M2

RL
M3

VLO

VLO

I DC ,mix I RF I Noise
VRF

Gm

M1

Gm 0

VLO

Show that:

Gm g m 2 g m 3 g m 2,3

2.I DC ,mix
V
96

Mixer Noise Analysis: Switch Noise

Noise Analysis of Heterodyne Mixer (switch noise) cont...:

VLO
vn m 2,3

TLO
2

Gm

iout

iout t Gm t .vn m 2,3 t

97

Mixer Noise Analysis: Switch Noise

Noise Analysis of Heterodyne Mixer (switch noise) cont...:

Gm t

TLO
2

2
p

T
/
2
LO

Gm f

T
Gm t Gm 0 .

T
/
2
LO

p 2 p
3 p
T p
Sin
k.

2
1

T .Gm 0 .
.2Cos k pt

LO k 1

p
k
.

2
2

vn m 2,3 vn2 m 2 vn2 m 3

vn m 2,3 f

vn m 2,3 2. .

2 p

4kT
g m 2,3

3 p
98

Mixer Noise Analysis: Switch Noise

Noise Analysis of Heterodyne Mixer (switch noise) cont...:

Gm f

p 2 p
Gm f

vn m 2,3 f

3 p

vn m 2,3 f

p 2 p
3 p
1
2
inoise

.Gm2 0 .T .vn2m 2,3

M 2,3
IF
TLO

2
99

Mixer Noise Analysis: Switch Noise

Noise Analysis of Heterodyne Mixer (switch noise) cont...:

1
2.I DC ,mix
.Gm2 0 .T .vn2 m 2,3 G g g g
m
m2
m3
m 2,3
TLO
V

2 I DC ,mix
2
Gm 0
V Slope. T
VLO t ALO Cos LO t
V
dVLO t
4kT
Slope t 90

vn m 2,3 2. .

LO LO
LO
dt
g m 2,3

LOt 90

1
1
4kT
2
2
2
2
inoise M 2,3 IF
.Gm 0 .T .vn m 2,3
.Gm 0 .T . 2. .

TLO / 2
TLO / 2
g
m 2,3

2.I
1
1

.Gm 0 .T . 2. .4kT
. DC ,mix .T . 2. .4kT
TLO / 2
TLO / 2 V
2
inoise
M 2,3 IF

2 I DC ,mix
T 2 I DC ,mix
1
. 2. .4kT .

. 2. .4kT .
TLO / 2
V
TLO / 2
ALO LO

I DC ,mix
4. 4kT

A
LO

Total Noise Contribution due to switches M2 and M3

100

Mixer Noise Analysis: Total Noise

Noise Analysis of Heterodyne Mixer (total noise):

2
noise RL

2
noise M 1

4kT 2 RL

g m short

dI DS short 1
I DS short
WCox vsat
dVGS
2
VGSQ VT 0

IF 4. 4kTg m1 4. 4kT .

I DC ,mix

GSQ

VT 0

I DC ,mix

A
LO

2
inoise
M 2,3 IF 4. 4kT

2
2
2 2
2 2
vnoise
MIX IF vnoise RL RL inoise M 1 RL inoise M 2,3

2
noise MIX

IF 4kTRL

1 4. .

I DC ,mix

GSQ

VT 0

.RL 4. .

I DC , mix

ALO

.RL

101

Mixer Noise Analysis: Total Noise

Noise Analysis of Heterodyne Mixer (total noise):

2
noise MIX

IF 4kTRL

1 4. .

I DC ,mix

GSQ

VT 0

.RL 4. .

I DC , mix

ALO

.RL

(VGSQ-VT0) M1 linearity and noise

ALO noise contribution from M2/M3

2
vnoise
MIX IF

VGSQ 0.8V
VGSQ 1.6V

VLO

102

Homodyne Mixer Noise Analysis: Transducer Noise

Noise Analysis of Homodyne Mixer (noise from transducer M1):

RL

VLO

Vout

M2

RL
M3

VLO

I DC ,mix I RF I Noise
VRF

M1

LO
RF

103

Homodyne Mixer Noise Analysis: RL Noise

Noise Analysis of Homodyne Mixer (noise from RL):

RL

VLO

Vout

M2

RL

Noise from RL

M3

VLO

I DC ,mix I RF I Noise
VRF

M1

LO
RF

104

Homodyne Mixer Noise Analysis: non-50% duty LO

Noise Analysis of Homodyne Mixer (M2,M3 mismatched or non-50% duty

cycle of LO)}:
TLO
TLO

2
RL

VLO

Vout

RL

M2

VRF

VLO
M3

VLO

M1

I M 1

DC

4
4

Cos LO t
Cos 3 LO t ...

105

Homodyne Mixer Noise Analysis: non-50% duty LO

Noise Analysis of Homodyne Mixer (M2,M3 mismatched or non-50% duty

cycle of LO)--{Noise from M1}:

RL

VLO

Vout

M2

VRF

RL
M3

VLO

I Noise M1

I Noise 1/ f

I Noise thermal

M1

DC , mix

I RF I Noise thermal I Noise 1/ f

106

Homodyne Mixer Noise Analysis: non-50% duty LO

Noise Analysis of Homodyne Mixer (M2,M3 mismatched or non-50% duty

cycle of LO)--{Noise from M1}:

RL

VLO

Vout

M2

DC-term of LO

RL
M3

VLO

VRF

M1

LO
RF

3 LO

4
4

I
.
DC

Cos

Cos
3

...

DC ,mix RF Noisethermal Noise 1/ f

LO
LO

107

Homodyne Mixer Noise Analysis: non-50% duty LO

Noise Analysis of Homodyne Mixer (M2,M3 mismatched or non-50% duty

cycle of LO)--{Noise from M2/M3}:

id id thermal id 1/ f
VLO

M 2 on

id 1/ f

M 3 on

id 2 id 3

Kf

.g .
CoxWL
f

VLO

vgn 1/ f

2
m

Kf

1
CoxWL f
.

gm vgs

gm vgs

108

Homodyne Mixer Noise Analysis: non-50% duty LO

Noise Analysis of Homodyne Mixer (M2,M3 mismatched or non-50% duty

cycle of LO)--{Noise from M2/M3}:

RL

vgn 1/ f

VLO

M2

DC , mix

Vout

RL
M3

VLO

I RF I Noise thermal I Noise 1/ f

vgn 1/ f

VLO

109

Homodyne Mixer Noise Analysis: non-50% duty LO

Noise Analysis of Homodyne Mixer (M2,M3 mismatched or non-50% duty

cycle of LO)--{Noise from M2/M3}:

vgn 1/ f

VLO

iout

iout iout no noise inoise 1/ f

110

Homodyne Mixer Noise Analysis: non-50% duty LO

Noise Analysis of Homodyne Mixer (M2,M3 mismatched or non-50% duty

VLO
cycle of LO)--{Noise from M2/M3}: vgn 1/ f

iout

iout iout no noise inoise 1/ f

v
t Slope 2 A
T t gn 1/ f
LO LO
Slope
iout

T t

vgn 1/ f t
2 ALO LO

111

Homodyne Mixer Noise Analysis: non-50% duty LO

Noise Analysis of Homodyne Mixer (M2,M3 mismatched or non-50% duty

cycle of LO)--{Noise from M2/M3}:

vgn 1/ f t

TLO
T LO
Noise Energy T t .I DC ,max . t k

.
I
.

k
DC ,max

2
2
A

k 0
k 0

LO LO
vgn 1/ f f
inoise 1/ f
.I DC ,max
2 ALO
vgn 1/ f f
vgn 1/ f t

I DC , mix

1
0.5TLO

iout

0.5TLO

I DC ,mix

iout
t

1
0.5TLO

112

Increasing Headroom in DBM (Option 1)

Vb

Q21 Q2 2 Rb

Rb
Vin

Q2' 2 Q2' 1
Vin

Cc
VLO

Cc
VLO

Vgnd

Vcc

Q1

Le

Q1'

Vgdcom

Le

L par 2nH

113

Increasing Headroom in DBM (Option 2)

VCC 3.0V
Vgg
RL

RL
RL 200

VS

RS 200

Vin
C 10nF

I BQ

Lb

Vb

Rb

Q21 Q2 2

Rb
Rb Rb '
'
Q2 2 Q21
Vb
Vb
Cc Q '
1

Cc

Q1

VLO VLO
Le

Vgdcom

I BQ

Lb

Vin
C 10nF

VS

Le

L par 2nH

114

Increasing Headroom in DBM (Option 3)

VCC 3.0V
Vgg
RL

RL
RL 200

VS

RS 200

Vin
C 10nF

I BQ

Lb

Vb

Rb

Q21 Q2 2

Rb
Rb Rb '
'
Q2 2 Q21
Vb
Vb
Cc Q '
1

Cc

Q1

VLO VLO
Le

Vgdcom

I BQ

Lb

Vin
C 10nF

VS

Le

L par 2nH

115