Design and Analysis of a Novel 24 GHz Up-Conversion Mixer with Improved Derivative Super-Position Linearizer...

Area of Science:

• Electrical Engineering
• Telecommunications
• Integrated Circuit Design

Background:

• Fifth-generation (5G) wireless systems require high-performance components for efficient signal processing.
• Up-conversion mixers are critical in 5G transceivers, demanding high linearity and gain.
• Existing mixer designs often face trade-offs between linearity, gain, and power consumption.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and realize a 24 GHz high linear, high-gain up-conversion mixer for 5G applications.
• To enhance mixer linearity by mitigating non-linear effects.
• To improve gain and stability using novel transistor configurations.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of an Improved Derivative Super-Position (I-DS) technique to enhance linearity.
• Utilization of novel tunable capacitive cross-coupled common source (TCC-CS) transistors for high gain and stability.
• Neutralization of gate-to-drain parasitic capacitance (Cgd) using varactor-based TCC-CS.

Main Results:

• Achieved a 1 dB compression point (OP1dB) of 4.1 dBm and input third-order intercept point (IP1dB) of 0.67 dBm at 24 GHz.
• Obtained a conversion gain of 4.1 dB at 24 GHz and 3.2 ± 0.9 dB across 20-30 GHz.
• Measured a noise figure of 3.8 dB at 24 GHz with low power consumption (4.9 mW) and a compact chip area (0.4 mm2).

Conclusions:

• The designed 24 GHz mixer effectively meets the stringent linearity and gain requirements for 5G applications.
• The integration of I-DS and TCC-CS techniques offers a viable solution for high-performance RF mixer design.
• This work contributes to the advancement of efficient and compact transceiver components for future wireless communication systems.