A study and design of microwave mixer for optimum Conversion Efficiency (CE) performance

Conversion Efficiency (CE) is the most important parameter which is used to specify the performance of a mixer. This paper describes how a microwave Mixer’s CE performance being optimized to suit the requirement of the Network Analyzer. The objectives of the Mixer redesign are to improve the minimal CE value and at the same time, facilitating an adjustable CE to accommodate amplifier IC’s gain variation inside the microwave Mixer. The minimum CE is raised by improving the input impedance of the IF port. Meanwhile the high CE issue is resolved by designing the Mixer to have adjustable attenuation capability at mixer’s IF path.