CMOS frequency conversion using dual mixers for sideband suppression

• US 6,782,247 B2
• Filed: 04/02/2001
• Issued: 08/24/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/02/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies General IP PTE Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Zeevo, Inc. (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: McKay, Thomas G., Nilson, Christopher D.
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, THUAN T
• Application Number:
  US09/825,250
• Publication Number:
  US 20020142747A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,240 Days
• Field of Search: 455/313, 455/314, 455/315, 455/316, 455/323, 455/326, 455/147, 455/154.1, 455/205, 455/209, 455/255, 455/257, 455/259, 455/203, 455/204, 332/170, 329/318, 329/356, 329/375, 340/825.69, 340/554, 342/44
• US Class Current: 455/313
• CPC Class Codes: H03C 3/40 using two signal paths the outputs of which have a predetermined phase difference and at least one output being amplitude-modulated
• CPC Class Codes: H03D 2200/0084 Lowering the supply voltage and saving power
• CPC Class Codes: H03D 7/1441 using field-effect transistors H03D7/145 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H03D 7/1458 Double balanced arrangements, i.e. where both input signals are differential
• CPC Class Codes: H03D 7/1466 Passive mixer arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H03D 7/1483 comprising components for selecting a particular frequency component of the output
• CPC Class Codes: H03D 7/165 at least two frequency changers being located in different paths, e.g. in two paths with carriers in quadrature combined with amplitude demodulation H03D1/2245, combined with angle demodulation H03D3/007; N-path filters H03H19/002

Abstract

Disclosed is a frequency conversion circuit with sideband suppression in which a first mixer receives an in-phase signal (IF_i) and is driven by a local oscillator having an in-phase (0°) oscillator signal (LO_i), and produces two sideband signals (LO+IF, LO−IF). A second mixer receives a quadrature phase frequency signal (IF_q+) and is driven by a local oscillator having a quadrature (180°) oscillator signal (LO_q), and produces two sideband signals (LO+IF_q, LO−IF_q). One of the sidebands from the second mixer is 180° out of phase with respect to the same sideband from the first mixer. A signal combiner then receives and combines the two sidebands from the first mixer and the two sidebands from the second mixer, the signal combiner suppressing one sideband and enhancing the other sideband. In preferred embodiments, the mixers comprise MOSFET transistors and the signal combiner comprises capacitive elements.

Claims

1. A frequency conversion circuit with sideband suppression comprising:

(a) a first mixer for receiving an in-phase signal (IF_i) and driven by a local oscillator having an in-phase oscillator signal (LO_i), and producing sideband signals (LO+IF_i, LO−

IF_i),

(b) a second mixer for receiving a quadrature phase frequency signal (IF_q) relative to the in-phase signal and driven by a local oscillator having a quadrature oscillator signal (LO_q) relative to the in-phase oscillator signal, and producing two sidebands (LO+IF_q, LO−

IF_q), one of the sidebands from the second mixer being 180°

out of phase with respect to the same sideband from the first mixer, and

(c) a signal combiner for receiving and combining the two sidebands in the first mixer and the two sidebands from the second mixer, the signal combiner suppressing one sideband and enhancing the other sideband.

2. The frequency conversion circuit as defined by claim 1 wherein each mixer comprises a first pair of field effect transistors and a second pair of field effect transistors, each pair of field effect transistors receiving a positive (0°

) input signal and a negative (180°

) input signal and each transistor of each pair driven by a positive (0°

) local oscillator signal or a negative (180°

) local oscillator signal and with the outputs of each pair of field effect transistors connected together to provide one of two outputs (RF+, RF−

) of the mixer.

3. The frequency conversion circuit as defined by claim 2 wherein the signal combiner comprises capacitive means for combining one output of one mixer with one output of the other mixer, whereby the positive (0°

) and negative (180°

) signals of one sideband are provided as outputs by the combiner.

4. The frequency conversion circuit as defined by claim 3 wherein the signal combiner comprises first and second serially connected capacitors connecting two mixer outputs, and a third and fourth serially connected capacitors connecting the other two mixer outputs, common terminals of the two serially connected capacitors providing the signal combiner outputs.

5. The frequency conversion circuit as defined by claim 4 wherein each input signal to a mixer is applied to one transistor driven by a positive (0°

) local oscillator signal and is applied to another transistor driven by a negative (180°

) local oscillator signal.

6. The frequency conversion circuit as defined by claim 2 wherein each input signal to a mixer is applied to one transistor driven by a positive (0°

) local oscillator signal and is applied to another transistor driven by a negative (180°

) local oscillator signal.