Up-conversion mixers in a complementary 0.4 μm SiGe process

Abstract

In this paper a 0.4 µm complementary SiGe process is used to fabricate up-conversion mixers for basestation applications. A current feedback mixer, and a mixer with a folded input, were designed in order to test benefits obtainable from the use of equally fast PNP-and NPN-transistors. The target was to improve linearity and to increase output compression point (OP −1 dB ) of the mixers. A +5 dBm output compression point @2 GHz was measured while drawing 43 mA from 5 V voltage supply.