An Integrated DBS Receiver Front-End using a Monolithic Frequency Converter

A low-noise 12-GHz receiver front-end consisting of a novel integration of a monolithic frequency converter (two-stage LNA and mixer), MIC bandpass filter, and lumped element IF network on a coplanar waveguide (CPW) mother board is described. The techniques employed for the design and fabrication of the monolithic frequency converter, including a new dual-FET mixer configuration, are described. Measurements of the front-end indicate a noise figure of generally less than 5 dB and an associated gain of 10 dB across the 11.7 GHz to 12.2 GHz input band (0.9- to 1.4-GHz IF band).