Accurate simulation of mixer noise and oscillator phase noise in large RFICs

Traditional Spice-like linear noise analysis cannot predict the noise performance of a circuit with frequency-mixing effects, such as mixers and oscillators. Because it is a nonlinear frequency-domain technique, harmonic balance easily lends itself to fast and accurate noise analysis of mixers and oscillators including the large-signal effects. This paper presents the basic theory behind mixer noise and oscillator phase noise analysis using harmonic balance. The theory is illustrated with two examples that demonstrate simulation of the noise figure of an RFIC mixer and the phase noise of an RFIC oscillator