US5859559A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mixer structures with enhanced conversion gain and reduced spurious signals
Assignee: Microelectronics Technology Inc
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Filing: 1997-07-31
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Granted: 1999-01-12
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Expires: 2017-07-31
Abstract
Abstract Mixer structures are described which include a current mirror for insertion of trickle currents to an input differential amplifier and an output interface for coupling an output differential amplifier to an output port. The current mirror trickle currents improve the mixer's conversion gain and third-order intercept point and the current mirror introduces them without introducing spurious signals. The output interface couples mixer currents to the output port while isolating the output port from power-supply spurious signals.
Inventors
- 👤 Bo S. Hong
- 👤 Lloyd F. Linder
- 👤 Erick M. Hirata
- 👤 Don C. Devendorf
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 12:46
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03D; H03D7/00; H03D7/14; H03D7/1425; H03D7/145; H03D7/1491; H03D2200/00; H03D2200/0001; H03D2200/0033; H03D2200/0041; H03D2200/0043; H03D7/12; H03D7/125
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
247 words
A mixer, comprising: an input differential amplifier having a first input port and first and second output paths; an output differential amplifier having first and second differential pairs in which inputs of said differential pairs are cross-coupled to form a second input port and outputs of said differential pairs are cross-coupled to form an output port; an isolation amplifier coupling said first and second output paths of said input differential amplifier to said output differential amplifier; and an active current source generating trickle currents and coupled to supply said trickle currents to said first and second output paths; wherein said active current source is a current mirror configured to supply said first and second trickle currents to said first and second output paths and wherein said current mirror includes: first, second and third current transitors which each have first and seocnd current terminals that are responsive to a control terminal, wherein the first current terminals of said first, second and third current transistors are coupled together, the control terminals of said first, second and third current transistors and the seocnd current terminal of said first current transistor are coupled together, and the second current terminals of said second and third transistors are coupled respectively to said first and second output paths; and a current source coupled to said second current terminal of said first current transistor; said trickle currents enhancing the conversion gain of said mixer between said first and second input ports and said output port.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
247 words
A mixer, comprising: an input differential amplifier having a first input port and first and second output paths; an output differential amplifier having first and second differential pairs in which inputs of said differential pairs are cross-coupled to form a second input port and outputs of said differential pairs are cross-coupled to form an output port; an isolation amplifier coupling said first and second output paths of said input differential amplifier to said output differential amplifier; and an active current source generating trickle currents and coupled to supply said trickle currents to said first and second output paths; wherein said active current source is a current mirror configured to supply said first and second trickle currents to said first and second output paths and wherein said current mirror includes: first, second and third current transitors which each have first and seocnd current terminals that are responsive to a control terminal, wherein the first current terminals of said first, second and third current transistors are coupled together, the control terminals of said first, second and third current transistors and the seocnd current terminal of said first current transistor are coupled together, and the second current terminals of said second and third transistors are coupled respectively to said first and second output paths; and a current source coupled to said second current terminal of said first current transistor; said trickle currents enhancing the conversion gain of said mixer between said first and second input ports and said output port.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The mixer of claim 1, wherein said first, second and third current transistors are field-effect transistors.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
67 words
The mixer of claim 1, wherein said first and second differential pairs include transistors which each have first and second current terminals that are responsive to a control terminal, said first and second differential pairs arranged with their control terminals cross-coupled to form said first input port, their first current terminals coupled to said isolation amplifier and their second current terminals cross-coupled to form said output port.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
The mixer of claim 1, wherein said input differential amplifier includes first and second input transistors; and said isolation amplifier includes first and second isolation transistors which are respectively coupled in cascode relationships with said first and second input transistors.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The mixer of claim 1, wherein said input differential amplifier includes first and second input transistors; and at least one resistor coupled to degeneratively reduce the gain of said first and second input transistors.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
240 words
A mixer, comprising: an input differential amplifier having a first input port and first and second output paths; an output differential amplifier having first and second differential pairs in which inputs of said differential pairs are cross-coupled to form a second input port and outputs of said differential pairs are cross-coupled to form an output port; an isolation amplifier coupling said first and second output paths of said input differential amplifier to said output differential amplifier; an active current source generating trickle currents and coupled to supply said trickle currents to said first and second output paths; and an output interface inserted between said output differential amplifier and said output port, said output interface having an active load coupled to said cross-coupled collectors of said output differential amplifier and further having a current conveyor inserted between said active load and said output port and configured to convey currents to said output port which are representative of currents in said active load; wherein said active load includes first and second load transistors coupled to said cross-coupled outputs of said differential pairs; and said current conveyor includes: first and second output transistors coupled to said output port and respectively arranged in cascode relationships with said first and second load transistors; and first and second output resistors coupled to said output port; said trickle currents enhancing the conversion gain of said mixer between said first and second input ports and said output port.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
240 words
A mixer, comprising: an input differential amplifier having a first input port and first and second output paths; an output differential amplifier having first and second differential pairs in which inputs of said differential pairs are cross-coupled to form a second input port and outputs of said differential pairs are cross-coupled to form an output port; an isolation amplifier coupling said first and second output paths of said input differential amplifier to said output differential amplifier; an active current source generating trickle currents and coupled to supply said trickle currents to said first and second output paths; and an output interface inserted between said output differential amplifier and said output port, said output interface having an active load coupled to said cross-coupled collectors of said output differential amplifier and further having a current conveyor inserted between said active load and said output port and configured to convey currents to said output port which are representative of currents in said active load; wherein said active load includes first and second load transistors coupled to said cross-coupled outputs of said differential pairs; and said current conveyor includes: first and second output transistors coupled to said output port and respectively arranged in cascode relationships with said first and second load transistors; and first and second output resistors coupled to said output port; said trickle currents enhancing the conversion gain of said mixer between said first and second input ports and said output port.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
120 words
A mixer, comprising: an input differential amplifier having a first inupt port and first and second output paths; an output differential amplifier having first and second differential pairs of transistors in which common emitters of said differential pairs are coupled to said first and second output paths, inputs of said differential pairs are cross-coupled to form a second input port and outputs of said differential pairs are cross-coupled to form an output port; a current source that generates trickle currents and is arranged to introduce said trickle currents into said first and second output paths; and an active load that generates mixing currents and is arranged to couple said mixing currents to said cross-coupled outputs of said output differential amplifier.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
120 words
A mixer, comprising: an input differential amplifier having a first inupt port and first and second output paths; an output differential amplifier having first and second differential pairs of transistors in which common emitters of said differential pairs are coupled to said first and second output paths, inputs of said differential pairs are cross-coupled to form a second input port and outputs of said differential pairs are cross-coupled to form an output port; a current source that generates trickle currents and is arranged to introduce said trickle currents into said first and second output paths; and an active load that generates mixing currents and is arranged to couple said mixing currents to said cross-coupled outputs of said output differential amplifier.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
52 words
The mixer of claim 7, wherein said active load includes: first and second load transistors respectively coupled to different sides of said cross-coupled outputs of said differential pairs; and a third transistor coupled to mirror a current into each of said first and second load transistors to thereby form said mixing currents.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The mixer of claim 7, further including an isolation amplifier inserted between said first and second output paths and said output differential amplifier.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
The mixer of claim 9, wherein said input differential amplifier, said output differential amplifier and said isolation amplifier are formed with bipolar junction transistors and wherein said current source and said active load are formed with field-effect transistors.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
173 words
A mixer comprising: an input differential amplifier having a first input port and first and second output paths; an output differential amplifier coupled to said first and second output paths, said output differential amplifier having first and second differential pairs in which inputs of said differential pairs are cross-coupled to form a second input port and outputs of said differential pairs are also cross-coupled; an isolation amplifier that couples said first and second output paths to said output differential amplifier; an output interface having an active load coupled to said cross-coupled collectors of said output differential amplifier and further having a current conveyor which defines an output port and which is configured to convey currents to said output port which are representative of currents in said active load; and a current source generating trickle currents and coupled to supply said trickle currents to said first and second output paths wherein said current source includes a current mirror configured to supply said first and second trickle currents to said first and second output paths.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
173 words
A mixer comprising: an input differential amplifier having a first input port and first and second output paths; an output differential amplifier coupled to said first and second output paths, said output differential amplifier having first and second differential pairs in which inputs of said differential pairs are cross-coupled to form a second input port and outputs of said differential pairs are also cross-coupled; an isolation amplifier that couples said first and second output paths to said output differential amplifier; an output interface having an active load coupled to said cross-coupled collectors of said output differential amplifier and further having a current conveyor which defines an output port and which is configured to convey currents to said output port which are representative of currents in said active load; and a current source generating trickle currents and coupled to supply said trickle currents to said first and second output paths wherein said current source includes a current mirror configured to supply said first and second trickle currents to said first and second output paths.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
107 words
The mixer of claim 11, wherein said current mirror includes: first, second and third current transistors which each have first and second current terminals that are responsive to a control terminal, wherein the first current terminals of said first, second and third current transistors are coupled together, the control terminals of said first, second and third current transistors and the second current terminal of said first current transistor are coupled together, and the second current terminals of said second and third transistors are coupled respectively to said first and second output paths; and a current source coupled to said second current terminal of said first current transistor.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
41 words
The mixer of claim 11, wherein said input differential amplifier includes first and second input transistors; and said isolation amplifier includes first and second isolation transistors which are respectively coupled in a cascode relationship with said first and second input transistors.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
66 words
The mixer of claim 11, wherein said first and second differential pairs include transistors which each have first and second current terminals that are responsive to a control terminal, said first and second differential pairs arranged with their control terminals cross-coupled to form said second input port, their first current terminals coupled to said isolation amplifier and their second current terminals cross-coupled to said active load.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
129 words
A mixer, comprising: an input differential amplifier having a first input port and first and second output paths; an output differential amplifier having first and second differential pairs of transistors in which inputs of said differential pairs are cross-coupled to form a second input port and outputs of said differential pairs are cross-coupled to form an output port; an isolation amplifier coupling said first and second output paths of said input differential amplifier to said output differential amplifier; a current mirror that generates first and second trickle currents and respectively introduces said first and second trickle currents into said first and second output paths; and an active load that generates mixing currents and is arranged to couple said mixing currents to said cross-coupled outputs of said output differential amplifier.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
129 words
A mixer, comprising: an input differential amplifier having a first input port and first and second output paths; an output differential amplifier having first and second differential pairs of transistors in which inputs of said differential pairs are cross-coupled to form a second input port and outputs of said differential pairs are cross-coupled to form an output port; an isolation amplifier coupling said first and second output paths of said input differential amplifier to said output differential amplifier; a current mirror that generates first and second trickle currents and respectively introduces said first and second trickle currents into said first and second output paths; and an active load that generates mixing currents and is arranged to couple said mixing currents to said cross-coupled outputs of said output differential amplifier.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
The mixer of claim 15, further including cascode-coupled output transistors inserted between said cross-coupled outputs of said output differential amplifier and said output port.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
51 words
The mixer of claim 9, wherein said active load includes: first and second load transistors respectively coupled to different sides of said cross-coupled outputs of said differential pairs; and a third transistor coupled to mirror a current into each of said first and second transistors to thereby form said mixing currents.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
38 words
The mixer of claim 15, wherein said input differential amplifier, said output differential amplifier and said isolation amplifier are formed with bipolar junction transistors and wherein said current mirror and said active load are formed with field-effect transistors.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
240 words
A mixer, comprising: an input differential amplifier having a first input port and first and second output paths; an output differential amplifier having first and second differential pairs in which inputs of said differential pairs are cross-coupled to form a second input port and outputs of said differential pairs are cross-coupled; an isolation amplifier coupling said first and second output paths of said input differential amplifier to said output differential amplifier; a current mirror configured to supply first and second trickle currents to said first and second output paths; and an output interface having an active load coupled to said cross-coupled collectors of said output differential amplifier and further having a current conveyor which defines an output port and which is configured to convey currents to said output port which are representative of currents in said active load; wherein said current mirror includes: first, second and third current transistors which each have first and second current terminals that are responsive to a control terminal, wherein the first current terminals of said first, second and third current transistors are coupled together, the control terminals of said first, second and third current transistors and the second current terminal of said first current transistor are coupled together, and the second current terminals of said second and third transistors are coupled respectively to said first and second output paths; and a current source coupled to said second current terminal of said first current transistor.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
240 words
A mixer, comprising: an input differential amplifier having a first input port and first and second output paths; an output differential amplifier having first and second differential pairs in which inputs of said differential pairs are cross-coupled to form a second input port and outputs of said differential pairs are cross-coupled; an isolation amplifier coupling said first and second output paths of said input differential amplifier to said output differential amplifier; a current mirror configured to supply first and second trickle currents to said first and second output paths; and an output interface having an active load coupled to said cross-coupled collectors of said output differential amplifier and further having a current conveyor which defines an output port and which is configured to convey currents to said output port which are representative of currents in said active load; wherein said current mirror includes: first, second and third current transistors which each have first and second current terminals that are responsive to a control terminal, wherein the first current terminals of said first, second and third current transistors are coupled together, the control terminals of said first, second and third current transistors and the second current terminal of said first current transistor are coupled together, and the second current terminals of said second and third transistors are coupled respectively to said first and second output paths; and a current source coupled to said second current terminal of said first current transistor.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-01-11 | 2002-07-13 | 2003-01-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-01-11 | 2006-07-13 | 2007-01-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-01-11 | 2010-07-13 | 2011-01-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |