Custom MMIC launches GaAs MMIC mixers to increase dynamic range of radar and RF communications

Monolithic microwave integrated circuit developer Custom MMIC of Westford, MA, USA has launched three gallium arsenide (GaAs) MMIC mixers for C-band, X-band, K-band, and Ka-band applications.

The CMD251C3 fundamental mixer, CMD252C4 I/Q mixer and CMD180 fundamental mixer deliver what is claimed to be best-in-class isolation and conversion loss performance while offering low input power requirements. Helping to increase dynamic range while reducing LO power and subsequent filtering requirements, the new mixers are suitable for high-performance commercial, military, aerospace and satcom applications.

The CMD251C3 is a general-purpose, fundamental double-balanced MMIC mixer in a 3mm x 3mm leadless surface-mount package that can be used for up- and down-converting applications at 4-8.5GHz (in the C-band). This fundamental mixer exhibits high LO to RF and LO to IF isolation of 36dB due to optimized balun structures, and can operate with an LO drive level as low as +15dBm. The GaAs mixer also demonstrates a wide IF bandwidth of DC to 2.2GHz and a very low conversion loss of only 7dB.

The CMD252C4 is a 4-8GHz (C-band) compact I/Q MMIC mixer in a 4×4 leadless surface-mount package. The fundamental mixer consists of two double-balanced mixer cells and a 90° hybrid. An external IF hybrid is needed to complete the image rejection of 30dB, but this combination is a much smaller alternative to higher-cost hybrid image reject mixers and single-sideband upconverter assemblies. The CMD252C4 also features a wide IF bandwidth of DC to 2.4GHz with a low IRM conversion loss of only 6.5dB.

The CMD180 is a general-purpose, fundamental double-balanced MMIC mixer available in a small die size that can be used for wideband up- and down-converting applications at 20-32GHz (X-band, K-band, Ka-band). It features very high isolation to both the RF and IF ports of 36dB, also due to optimized balun structures, and can operate with an LO drive level as low as +9dBm. The CMD180 provides a wide IF bandwidth between DC and 10GHz, and presents a low conversion loss of only 7dB.