Low Conversion Loss Mixers Design Using Reflector Networks

This paper presents development of low conversion loss fundamental mixers. Appropriate reflector networks are employed to provide proper terminations for operation frequencies and other undesired frequency mixing components in the designed Ka-band single-ended mixer and X-band single balanced mixer. Quantitative analysis of the mixer terminations is presented. Syntheses of the input and output reflector networks are optimized for the mixers. The measured conversion loss of the X-band mixer is $6.4\pm 0.7\mathbf{dB}$ from 10 to 11.5GHz, the lowest conversion loss is 5.67dB at 10.6GHz. RF-IF port isolation is better than 27dB, LO-IF port isolation is higher than 24dB and LO-RF port isolation is better than 14dB. To the Ka-band mixer, the lowest measured conversion loss is 3.52dB at 32.2GHz, the conversion loss is flat and less than 5.68dB from 29 to 34GHz.