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A Q/Ku-K band MMIC double-balanced subharmonic diode ring mixer for satellite communications in GaAs pHEMT technology

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 May 2014

Davide Resca ,
Rafael Cignani ,
Corrado Florian ,
Andrea Biondi  and
Francesco Scappaviva
Davide Resca
Affiliation:
MEC – Microwave Electronics for Communications, Via San Nicolò di Villola 1, 40127 Bologna, Italy
Rafael Cignani
Affiliation:
Department of Electrical, Electronic and Information Engineering (DEI), University of Bologna, Viale Risorgimento 2, 40136 Bologna, Italy. Phone: +39 0512093846
Corrado Florian*
Affiliation:
Department of Electrical, Electronic and Information Engineering (DEI), University of Bologna, Viale Risorgimento 2, 40136 Bologna, Italy. Phone: +39 0512093846
Andrea Biondi
Affiliation:
MEC – Microwave Electronics for Communications, Via San Nicolò di Villola 1, 40127 Bologna, Italy
Francesco Scappaviva
Affiliation:
MEC – Microwave Electronics for Communications, Via San Nicolò di Villola 1, 40127 Bologna, Italy
*
Corresponding author C. Florian Email: corrado.florian@unibo.it
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Abstract

A MMIC double-balanced subharmonic diode ring mixer was designed for broadband satellite communications exploiting a GaAs pHEMT process. The circuit implements the frequency conversion from Q (43.5–50 GHz) to Ku-K band (17–21.5 GHz). Besides the RF, LO, and IF baluns, the MMIC integrates a buffer amplifier for the local oscillator signal, which is designed between X and Ku bands (11–16.5 GHz), due to the subharmonic operation. The mixer measured conversion loss is between 8 and 12 dB along the bandwidth, with an LO power of 9 dBm. The input p1 dB and IP3 are 2 and 15 dBm, respectively. The balanced structure ensures an LO and 2 × LO leakages at the IF port lower than −25 and −35 dBm, respectively. Other spurious remain below −67 dBc. The chip dimensions are 2.4 × 2.4 mm2.

Keywords

Circuit design and applicationsLow noise and communication receivers
Type
Industrial and Engineering Paper
Information
International Journal of Microwave and Wireless Technologies , Volume 7 , Issue 2 , April 2015 , pp. 107 - 113
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press and the European Microwave Association 2014 

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References

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