Analogue balanced parametric frequency divider-by-two using PHEMT nonlinear reactance

An active balanced parametric frequency divider using one microstrip T-junction, two series microstrip transmission lines and two PHEMTs is presented. The configuration applies the principles of sub harmonic generation using the gate-source capacitance of a PHEMT as the nonlinear reactance element. A simple circuit design methodology is presented. Two prototypes are designed and fabricated, and their performance is evaluated. The first prototype achieved a maximum conversion gain of 13 dB at 2100 MHz for 0-dBm input power, and the second prototype showed a maximum absolute bandwidth of 820 MHz for 8-dBm input power.