Dual gate MOSFET mixer

The dual gate MOSFET is able to provide a basis for an RF mixer. The dual gate MOSFET
operation enables both the local oscillator and RF signal inputs to be accommodated. As shown
in the circuit below, the RF signal is normally applied to gate 1 and the local oscillator to gate 2.
The operation of this dual gate MOSFET circuit is relatively easy to understand. The RF signal
appears at gate 1 and controls the channel current in the normal way. However the much higher
level local oscillator signal is applied to gate 2 and superimposes its effect on the channel
current.

Dual gate MOSFET mixer

This dual gate MOSFET mixer is widely used in a number of RF applications, particularly for
VHF and UHF applications where they operate well for the limited number of components used.

The dual gate MOSFET is used in many RF applications, both as a mixer and as an RF amplifier.
In these and other applications the use of two gates to a single device makes it particularly
useful. Although not as widely used as its single gate relative, the dual gate MOSFET is able to
provide improved performance in several niche areas.

FET Differential Amplifier

A differential input consists of two input points with respect to

ground. The circuit subtracts the two input signals. Thus the
output of a differential amplifier is
VO = AV (V2 - V1)

Figure 4.35 FET Differential Amplifier.

Figure 4.35 shows a differential amplifier employing FETs instead of
BJTs. It is commonly used when showing internal schematic diagrams of
integrated circuits. The FET differential amplifier functions in
exactly the same way as the BJT differential amplifier except its
input impedance is much higher. Because FETs are even harder to match
than BJTs, R5 and R6 are still necessary. Indeed they may be chosen to
bring the gain down close to unity in order to balance the gains of
the two transistors. FETs are used to obtain high input impedance.
When large amounts of gain are needed, BJTs will be found in the
circuit. If both are needed in the same amplifier, you will find both
FETs and BJTs in the circuit.