Fairview Microwave Debuts new GaAs MMIC IQ Mixers
Fairview Microwave, a US supplier of microwave and RF components, has launched a new product family of seven IQ mixer models with RF and LO frequency bands ranging from 4 GHz to 38 GHz and In-Phase and Quadrature IF bandwidths that range from DC to 4.5 GHz.
The new MMIC IQ mixers from Fairview (also known as IQ modulators) use a GaAs MESFET semiconductor process which integrates a pair of matched double balanced mixer cells, a 90-degree hybrid and a 0-degree splitter/combiner that produces exceptional amplitude and phase balance performance.
This level of integration offers size and performance advantages in comparison to discrete module assemblies.
With the addition of an external 90-degree IF hybrid module, these IQ mixers can be used as either a single sideband up-converter mixer or an image reject down-converter mixer. The benefit of image rejection and sideband suppression can reduce overall system cost and complexity by removing the need for pre-selection filtering.
Typical applications include point-to-point and point-to-multipoint radio, VSAT, military radar, electronic warfare, satellite communications, test equipment, and sensors.
Performance as an image reject mixer (IRM) includes low conversion loss that ranges from 7.5 to 10 dBm, high image rejection up to 35 dB typical, and LO to RF isolation as high as 42 dB typical.
These IQ mixer designs are said to offer excellent linearity with input 1 dB compression as high as +20 dB typical and input IP3 as high as +35 dB typical. LO drive power ranges from +15 to +19 dBm. The compact and rugged drop-in package designs are hermetically sealed with field replaceable connectors and are guaranteed to meet MIL-STD-883 test conditions for humidity and temperature cycle.
