Linearity and power optimization of a microwave CMOS Gilbert cell mixer

The linearity of CMOS has been analyzed using Taylor series. A new method was employed to derive the relationship between the linearity and current consumption of the Gilbert cell mixer. The relationships between the current consumption and noise figure, conversion gain were also explored. The performance was verified via simulation using Cadence SpectreRF. The simulated results biased on measured BSIM3V3 models match the predicted performance well. Optimized design using this technique can result in 16.03 dBn input third-order intercept points (IIP3) and 50% of power in comparison to sub-optimal design simultaneously. One suggested method to calculate the weighted average of the concerned electrical parameters of the CMOS mixers is provided and used to compare overall design performances based on simulations and measurement.