A Study on Frequency Scalability for Integrated Imaging Radiometer Receivers Based on Subharmonic Self-Oscillating Mixers

In this paper a study of integrated radiometer receivers based on subharmonic self-oscillating mixers (SOMs) and their frequency scalability is presented. A basic design model for the receiver is developed and applied to receivers with different input RF frequencies. Imaging radiometer performance is discussed and investigated for the presented SOM-based imaging radiometer. Starting from simulations and measurement results for a prototype at 5.8 GHz validating the proposed circuit model, a millimeter-wave receiver at 35 GHz is designed. The results in terms of performance are presented and compared, and the frequency scalability of the circuit architecture is outlined. Finally, the proposed receiver is discussed for the use in a focal plane imaging array. The spatial imaging resolution and antenna pattern considerations are investigated.