A 12 GHz IF bandwidth low power 5–17 GHz V-band positive transformer-feedback down-conversion mixer

In this paper, a novel positive transformer feedback down-conversion mixer is proposed to boost conversion gain. An ultra-wideband RF input is achieved by feeding RF signal at the emitter of the switching pair. Switching devices are biased so as to minimize LO input power. Area is minimized by means of transformer coupling and shielded transmission line for RF routing. The proposed mixer is implemented in a 0.13 μm BiCMOS process and occupies an active area of only 190 μm × 140 μm. The mixer consumes only 2.2 mA from a 1.3 V supply. The mixer shows a 3 dB IF bandwidth of greater than 12 GHz with a peak conversion gain of -2.4 dB and IIP3 of 2.8 dBm at a LO power of just -13 dBm. The RF input return loss is better than -15 dB up to 67 GHz. The proposed mixer achieves best Figure-of-Merit with LO power (FOM_PLO) and thus is most suited for wideband low power mm-wave receivers.