Ultra-wideband 3GHz to 20GHz mixer in a tiny 3mm x 2mm package

Linear Technology Corporation, a division of Analog Devices, Inc., introduced the LTC5552, a double-balanced mixer that offers best-in-class bandwidth matching in the 3GHz to 20GHz range. The mixer can be used as an upconverter or downconverter. Because it supports DC's differential IF port, which makes the LO close to RF in frequency, the LTC5552 is particularly suitable for up-conversion applications. Its low LO to RF leakage (less than –25dBm) greatly reduces the burden on the external filter. In addition, this mixer also boasts excellent linearity: 20.1dBm IIP3 at 14GHz and 18.3dBm IIP3 at 17GHz. The device integrates a wideband LO buffer that requires only 0dBm of drive power and virtually eliminates an external high-power LO amplifier circuit. Moreover, the LTC5552 also integrates a wideband balun transformer in its RF port, allowing it to perform single-ended 50Ω match operations within its specified frequency range. All of these features minimize external components, simplify design and enable very small solution sizes.

The LTC5552's extremely wide bandwidth and high performance are ideal for a variety of applications, including 5G broadband wireless services, microwave backhaul, satellite broadband radios, radar systems, active antenna arrays, X-band, Ku-band and Ka-band transceivers, RF testing Equipment, spectrum analysis and satellite communications.

The LTC5552 is available in a tiny 12-pin, 3mm x 2mm plastic QFN package. The device is rated over the –40°C to 105°C case temperature range to support extended ambient operating temperatures. The mixer is powered from a single 3.3V supply and typically consumes 132mA of supply current. In addition, the LTC5552 can be turned off with an enable pin. When deactivated, the device only absorbs 100μA of maximum standby current. This enable pin can also be directly driven to quickly turn the device on and off in less than 0.2μs, supporting time division duplex (TDD) or burst mode transmitters and receivers.

Relevant LTC55 series products

Author：Brittany Antonia （The author of article owns the copyright.）