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Designing A Single Ended UHF BJT Mixer Using the ADS Software
Objectives:
A simple UHF Mixer operating at 430.0 MHz is designed. The RF signal at 430.0
MHz is down converted into IF frequency of 20.0 MHz.
The mixer is targeted to have no attenuation (conversion gain of 0dB) and an
operating noise figure of less than 10dB.
The design steps are divided into 5 parts. These are the DC biasing of the mixer
circuit, S-parameters measurement for RF and IF, input matching, output matching
and final design verification.
Background:
The transistor chosen for the job is BFR92A which comes in SOT-23 package. The
maximum IC sustainable by the transistor is 30.0mA, with transition frequency fT =
5GHz.
Since this is a large signal nonlinear circuit, substantial harmonics will be generated,
therefore the chosen simulation method is the Harmonic Balance Method.
The transistor is biased in emitter degenerated common-emitter configuration.
The mixer is driven by a RF source with 50Ohms source resistance, and LO (local
oscillator) source with 50Ohms source resistance and sustaining a load resistance of
50Ohms. The block diagram of the mixer is shown in Figure 1.
Power supply and
decoupling
RF Source
Input
Matching
Network
Core mixer
circuit
Output
Matching
Network
Load
Local Oscillator
(LO)
F.Kung
Sep 2001
of Q1 serves to attenuate the LO power (See book by Razavi [1] or Lee [3]) This will
minimize radiation of the LO signal through the receive antenna. To further improve
isolation, the IF and RF port should have the following characteristics:
At IF port, RF signal should be shunted, only allowing low frequency signal (IF) to
pass.
At RF port, IF signal should be shunted, only allowing high frequency signal (RF) to
pass.
These characteristics can be simulated be inserting artificial elements at both ports. The
impedance of the element is a function of frequency. In ADS, this is implemented using
the equation based linear elements, which can be accessed from the Eqn Based-Linear
linear component palette.
For instance for ZIP1 at RF port, the impedance is equal to 1Ohm when signal frequency
is less than 100MHz and 1000Ohm at other frequencies. These artificial elements can be
realized using lumped elements after incorporating the matching networks at RF and IF
port. The subsequent steps will illustrate the procedure.
S-PARAMETERS
DC
V_DC
SRC1
Vdc=3.0 V
R
R2
R=1 kOhm
ZIP1
Low impedance at IF
and high impedance
at RF.
DC
DC1
Var
Eqn
VAR
VAR1
freq_LO=410 Mhz
freq_RF=430 Mhz
RF_pow=-20
R
Rb
R=47 kOhm
Term
Term1
Num=1
Z=50 Ohm
C
Cc1
C=330.0 pF
NOTE:
By convention for a successful analysis of mixer:
1. Set the RF input to PORT 1, IF output to PORT 2 and
LO input to PORT 3 (by editing the NUM property).
2. Set the signal with largest amplitude to Freq[1] to
ensure convergence of the HB method.
Z1P_Eqn
Z1P2
Z[1,1]=Z_IF
L
Lb
L=220.0 nH
R=
SWEEP PLAN
SweepPlan
SwpPlan1
Pt=20.0MHz
Pt=410.0MHz
Pt=430.0MHz
UseSweepPlan=
SweepPlan=
S_Param
SP1
SweepPlan="SwpPlan1"
C
Cc3
C=330.0 pF
Term
Term2
Num=2
Z=50 Ohm
pb_phl_BFR92A_19921214
Q1
Z1P_Eqn
Z1P1
Z[1,1]=Z_RF
R
Re
R=330 Ohm
C
Cc2
C=10.0 pF
R
RLO
R=50 Ohm
VAR
VAR2
Z_RF=if freq < 100MHz then 1 else 1000 endif
Z_IF=if freq < 100MHz then 1000 else 1endif
F.Kung
Sep 2001
S-parameter Simulation
For mixer operation, we are only interested with S-parameters at 3 frequencies (IF =
20MHz, LO = 410 MHz and RF = 430 MHz), thus a sweep plan is used instead of
measuring the S-parameters at all frequencies. The Sweep Plan window can be accessed
from S-Parameters control as shown in Figure 3.
S(1,1)
0.968 / -128.490
0.876 / -22.603
0.874 / -23.693
Z(1,1)
1.000 - j24.115
77.551 - j224.546
72.572 - j215.009
freq
20.00MHz
410.0MHz
430.0MHz
S(2,2)
0.817 / -1.036
0.961 / -177.300
0.961 / -177.425
Z(2,2)
493.913 - j44.025
0.999 - j1.178
0.999 - j1.123
F.Kung
Sep 2001
R
R2
R=1 kOhm
Var
Eqn
VAR
VAR1
freq_LO=410 Mhz
freq_RF=430 Mhz
RF_pow=-20
L
L1
L=100.0 nH
R=
R
Rb
R=47 kOhm
L
Lb
L=220.0 nH
R=
I_Probe
ISource
DC
DC1
C
Cc3
C
C=100.0 pF
C1
C=47.0 pF
HARMONIC BALANCE
HarmonicBalance
HB1
MaxOrder=7
Freq[1]=freq_LO
Freq[2]=freq_RF
Order[1]=7
Order[2]=5
NOTE:
By convention for a successful analysis of mixer:
1. Set the RF input to PORT 1, IF output to PORT 2 and
LO input to PORT 3 (by editing the NUM property).
2. Set the signal with largest amplitude to Freq[1] to
ensure convergence of the HB method.
I_Probe
ILoad
R
RL
R=50 Ohm
pb_phl_BFR92A_19921214
Q1
C
Cc1
C=100.0 pF
P_1Tone
Prf
Num=1
Z=50 Ohm
P=polar(dbmtow(RF_pow),0)
Freq=freq_RF
R
Re
R=330 Ohm
C
Cc2
C=10.0 pF
P_1Tone
PLO
Num=2
Z=50 Ohm
P=polar(dbmtow(0),0)
Freq=freq_LO
Built-in
function to
convert dBm to
Watt
F.Kung
Sep 2001
Term
Term1
Num=1
Z=50 Ohm
L
Lm1
L=68 nH
R=
Var
Eqn
VAR
VAR1
Z_in=72.572-j*215.009
C
Cm1
C=0.335 pF
DC_Block
DC_Block1
Z1P_Eqn
Z1P1
Z[1,1]=Z_in
Term
Term1
Num=1
Z=50 Ohm
DC_Block
DC_Block1
C
Cm2
C=47 pF
L
Lm2
L=1203 nH
R=
R
RL
R=50 Ohm
F.Kung
Sep 2001
Term
Term1
Num=1
Z=50 Ohm
DC_Block
DC_Block1
C
Cm2
C=97 pF
L
Lm2
L=800 nH
R=
C
Cm3
C=270.5 pF
R
RL
R=50 Ohm
F.Kung
Sep 2001
HARMONIC BALANCE
HarmonicBalance
HB1
MaxOrder=7
Freq[1]=freq_LO
Freq[2]=freq_RF
Order[1]=7
Order[2]=5
NLNoiseMode=yes
FreqForNoise=freq_RF-freq_LO
NoiseInputPort=1
NoiseOutputPort=2
Other=OutVar="RF_pow"
Var
Eqn
V_DC
SRC1
Vdc=3.0 V
R
R2
R=1000 Ohm
C
Cdec
C=1000.0 pF
VAR
VAR1
freq_LO=410 Mhz
freq_RF=430 Mhz
RF_pow=-20
NOTE:
By convention for a successful analysis of mixer:
1. Set the RF input to PORT 1, IF output to PORT 2 and
LO input to PORT 3 (by editing the NUM property).
2. Set the signal with largest amplitude to Freq[1] to
ensure convergence of the HB method.
IF power
OPTIONS
Options
Options1
Temp=23.85
TopologyCheck=yes
V_RelTol=1e-6
I_RelT ol=1e-6
GiveAllWarnings=yes
MaxWarnings=10
I_Probe
ISource
L
Lm1
L=68.0 nH
R=
P_1Tone
Prf
Num=1
Z=50 Ohm
P=polar(dbmtow(RF_pow),0)
Freq=freq_RF
R
C
Rb
Cbyp1
R=47 kOhm
C=1000.0 pF
L
Lb
L=220.0 nH
R=
C
Cc3
C=330.0 pF
RF power
L
Lm3
L=800.0 nH
C
Cm2 R=
C=97.0 pF
I_Probe
ILoad
C
Cm3
C=270.5 pF
pb_phl_BFR92A_19921214
Q1
C
Cc1
C=330.0 pF
C
Cm1
C=0.33 pF
R
Re
R=330 Ohm
C
Cc2
C=15.0 pF
P_1T one
PLO
Num=3
Z=50 Ohm
P=polar(dbmtow(0),0)
Freq=freq_LO
F.Kung
Sep 2001
T erm
T erm3
Num=2
Z=50 Ohm
F.Kung
Sep 2001
3. Oscillation noise is used for computation of phase noise of oscillator. Again the noise
voltage and current need to be computed at various operating points under steady
state condition.
4. There are 2 methods for noise simulation, using the Noise[1] and Noise[2] tabs, and
using the NoiseCons tab. NoiseCons tab is used for several noise simulation, this
eliminates the need to change the values on the Noise[x] tab. It can be used for noise
sweeping calculation. Please refer to online help of ADS for more information.
Result
Upon running the simulation and using the data display as in Appendix to show the signal
spectrum, the conversion gain (for RF input power at 20dBm) is calculated as:
GC = -0592
This is a substantial improvement over the raw mixer circuit in Step 2, where the
conversion gain is only 18.866dB or 0.013. The voltage and current magnitude
spectrum is depicted in Figure 10. From the figure it is proven that output at IF port
consists mainly of a 20MHz component, the RF components are highly suppressed.
Furthermore the nonlinear noise analysis shows that the noise figure of the mixer is
roughly:
NFdB = 8.984 dB
Which is an acceptable value for single transistor mixer.
F.Kung
Sep 2001
0.0006
0.0005
ILoad.i
0.0004
0.0003
0.0002
0.0001
m3
0.0000
0.0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1.0
1.2
1.4
1.6
1.8
2.0
f req, GHz
m1
freq=2.000E7Hz
Vout=0.030 / -124.846
m1
m2
f req=4.700E8Hz
Vout=2.016E-9 / 168.315
0.030
0.025
Vout
0.020
0.015
0.010
0.005
m2
0.000
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
freq, GHz
40
Iout_t, mA
Vout_t, mV
20
-20
-40
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
time, nsec
Figure 11A Time domain steady state output voltage and current.
F.Kung
10
Sep 2001
250
200
150
Iin_t, mA
Vin_t, mV
100
50
0
-50
-100
-150
-200
-250
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
time, nsec
Figure 11B Time domain steady state input voltage and current.
Step 5: Gain Compression Test
By modifying the Harmonic Balance Simulation control, we could change the schematic
of Figure 8 into a gain compression test. This is done by sweeping the RF power level as
shown in Figure 12.
HARMONIC BALANCE
HarmonicBalance
HB1
MaxOrder=7
Freq[1]=freq_LO
Freq[2]=freq_RF
Order[1]=7
Order[2]=5
NLNoiseMode=
FreqForNoise=freq_RF-freq_LO
NoiseInputPort=1
NoiseOutputPort=2
SweepVar="RF_pow"
Start=-30
Stop=10
Lin=10
Other=
F.Kung
11
Sep 2001
The result of gain compression test is shown in Figure 13. It is seen that 1dB gain
compression occurs roughly at RF input power level of 5dBm.
10
Pif_ext
Pif_dbm
-10
-20
-30
-40
-30
-25
-20
-15
-10
-5
10
RF_pow
References
B. Razavi, RF Microelectronics, Prentice Hall, 1998.
R. Ludwig, P. Bretchko, RF circuit design theory and application, Prentice Hall,
2000.
T.H. Lee, The design of CMOS radio-frequency integrated circuits, Cambridge
University Press, 1998.
F.Kung
12
Sep 2001
Local Oscillator
Input
SMA to PCB
adapter
IF Output
RF Input
BNC to PCB
adapter
To 3.0-3.3V D.C.
Source
F.Kung
13
Sep 2001
30
600
25
500
20
400
ILoad.i, uA
Vout, mV
15
10
300
200
100
0
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
0.0
2.0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1.0
freq
0.0000 Hz
20.00MHz
40.00MHz
60.00MHz
350.0MHz
370.0MHz
390.0MHz
410.0MHz
430.0MHz
450.0MHz
470.0MHz
490.0MHz
780.0MHz
800.0MHz
820.0MHz
840.0MHz
860.0MHz
880.0MHz
900.0MHz
1.190GHz
1.210GHz
1.230GHz
1.250GHz
1.270GHz
1.290GHz
1.310GHz
1.330GHz
1.620GHz
1.640GHz
1.660GHz
1.680GHz
1.700GHz
Vout
0.000 / 0.000
0.030 / -124.846
5.586E-5 / 115...
1.242E-6 / 79....
6.083E-9 / -16...
4.881E-8 / -14...
2.469E-7 / -15...
7.107E-6 / 48....
1.174E-6 / -13...
6.112E-9 / 123...
2.016E-9 / 168...
2.372E-10 / -1...
5.899E-9 / -10...
5.177E-8 / -12...
7.578E-7 / -14...
1.668E-7 / 37....
6.552E-9 / -13...
1.754E-10 / -5...
3.484E-11 / -1...
3.924E-9 / 9.896
2.127E-8 / 4.076
1.508E-7 / -1.6...
4.352E-8 / 178...
3.191E-9 / 2.201
4.725E-11 / 16...
4.465E-12 / 18...
2.797E-11 / 12...
6.599E-9 / 143...
3.168E-8 / 144...
1.124E-8 / -40....
1.154E-9 / 135...
3.715E-11 / -4...
1.2
1.4
1.6
1.8
2.0
freq, GHz
freq, GHz
ILoad.i
0.000 / 0.000
5.908E-4 / -12...
1.117E-6 / 115...
2.483E-8 / 79....
1.217E-10 / -1...
9.762E-10 / -1...
4.939E-9 / -15...
1.421E-7 / 48....
2.348E-8 / -13...
1.222E-10 / 12...
4.033E-11 / 16...
4.744E-12 / -1...
1.180E-10 / -1...
1.035E-9 / -12...
1.516E-8 / -14...
3.335E-9 / 37....
1.310E-10 / -1...
3.507E-12 / -5...
6.967E-13 / -1...
7.847E-11 / 9....
4.255E-10 / 4....
3.016E-9 / -1.6...
8.704E-10 / 17...
6.382E-11 / 2....
9.450E-13 / 16...
8.930E-14 / 18...
5.595E-13 / 12...
1.320E-10 / 14...
6.335E-10 / 14...
2.248E-10 / -4...
2.307E-11 / 13...
7.429E-13 / -4...
Mix(1)
Mix(2)
0
-1
-2
-3
4
3
2
1
0
-1
-2
-3
4
3
2
1
0
-1
-2
5
4
3
2
1
0
-1
-2
5
4
3
2
1
0
1
2
3
-3
-2
-1
0
1
2
3
4
-2
-1
0
1
2
3
4
-2
-1
0
1
2
3
4
5
-1
0
1
2
3
Pif_dbm
-20.592
G_conv
-0.592
noisefreq
20.00MHz
nf(2)
8.984
0.0035
0.14
0.0030
mag(ISource.i)
mag(Vin)
0.12
0.10
0.08
0.06
0.04
0.02
0.0025
0.0020
0.0015
0.0010
0.0005
0.00
0.0000
0.0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1.0
0.0
0.2
0.4
freq, GHz
0.6
0.8
1.0
freq, GHz
250
40
200
150
20
Iout_t, mA
Vout_t, mV
Iin_t, mA
Vin_t, mV
100
50
0
-50
-20
-100
-150
-40
0
-200
F.Kung
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
time, nsec
-250
10
20
30
40
50
time, nsec
60
70
14
80
90
100
Sep 2001
90
100
10
Pif_ext
Pif_dbm
-10
-20
-30
-40
-30
-25
-20
-15
-10
-5
10
RF_pow
F.Kung
15
Sep 2001
Agilent 89XX
series VSA
100MHz digital
sampling
oscilloscope
(Tektronix)
Mixer & LO
Power
supply
for LO
Variable
frequency
oscillator
(LO)
Battery to power
up mixer
Probe to
DSO (IF)
F.Kung
16
Sep 2001
F.Kung
17
Sep 2001