A JSSC classic paper: The Gilbert cell, the linear mixer with gain, in CMOS or bipolar

The Gilbert cell, initially designed with bipolar transistors to operate as a precision multiplier, is widely used in modern communication systems as a mixer and frequency translator. The Gilbert cell offers advantages such as high conversion gain and high port-to-port isolation. Its principle of operation is technology independent and can be realized in bipolar or CMOS processes. Because of their low fabrication costs, Gilbert cells are appropriate for high-level integration and realize good high-frequency performance. Manolis T. Terrovitis and Robert G. Meyer summarized these traits that make the Gilbert cell so popular in recent papers in the June 1999 and October 2000 JSSC.