A Low Voltage Mixer With Improved Noise Figure

• Published in: IEEE microwave and wireless components letters Vol. 19; no. 2; pp. 92 - 94
• Main Authors: Chih-Hao Chen, Pei-Yuan Chiang, Jou, C.F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY IEEE 01.02.2009; Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
• Subjects: 1f noise; Applied sciences; Circuit properties; CMOS technology; Conversion; Current reuse; Design. Technologies. Operation analysis. Testing; Electric potential; Electric, optical and optoelectronic circuits; Electronic circuits; Electronics; Exact sciences and technology; flicker noise; folded switching; Frequency; Gain; Inductors; Integrated circuits; Low voltage; low voltage mixer; Magnetic devices; Microwave circuits, microwave integrated circuits, microwave transmission lines, submillimeter wave circuits; Mixers; Noise; Noise figure; Noise levels; Semiconductor electronics. Microelectronics. Optoelectronics. Solid state devices; Signal convertors; Tuning; Voltage fluctuations; Noise figure; Current reuse; Microwave mixer; Third order; Reuse; folded switching; Power supply; Mixers (circuits); Power electronics; 1/f noise; low voltage mixer; Inductor; Flicker; Switching; Implementation; Step down convertor; Low voltage; Power consumption; Intercept point; Parasitic component; Complementary MOS technology; flicker noise; Comparative study; Gain
• ISSN: 1531-1309; 1558-1764
• DOI: 10.1109/LMWC.2008.2011329

A 5.2 GHz low voltage mixer with improved noise figure using TSMC 0.18 mum CMOS technology is presented in this letter. This mixer utilizes current reuse and ac-coupled folded switching to achieve low supply voltage. The noise figure of the mixer is strongly influenced by flicker noise. A resonating inductor is implemented for tuning out the parasitic components, which not only can improve noise figure but also enhance conversion gain. A low voltage mixer without resonating technique has also been fabricated and measured for comparison. Simulated results reveal that flicker corner frequency is lowered. The measured results show 4.5 dB conversion gain enhancement and 4 dB reduction of noise figure. The down-conversion mixer with resonating inductor achieves 5.8 dB conversion gain, -16 dBm P 1dB , -6 dBm IIP 3 at power consumption of 3.8 mW and 1 V supply voltage.