Reconfigurable broadband mixer with variable conversion gain

A 2-10 GHz Gilbert-type mixer is reported in which the gate widths of the transistors in the RF stage are reconfigurable. The change in the total gate-width of the RF devices ultimately results in a variable conversion gain for the mixer. Measurements show that the conversion gain can vary from a maximum of 24 dB to a minimum of 9 dB. The IP_1dB is -19 dBm at the highest conversion gain setting and -4 dBm at the lowest setting, while the OP_1dB remained fairly constant at +3 dBm for all conversion gain levels, as expected. The IIP3 was -12 dBm and +3.5 dBm at the high and low conversion gain settings, respectively. The OPI3 of the mixer remained constant at around +11 dBm. The mixer's dc power consumption was dependent on the conversion gain and it ranged from 2.4 mW up to 18 mW drawn from a single 1.2 V supply. The chip core measures 0.19 mm².