Ultra-wideband mixer offers bandwidth and performance ideal for a broad range of applications

Linear Technology’s LTC5552 is a double balanced mixer that features best-in-class wideband matching from 3GHz to 20GHz. The mixer can be used as an up or downconverter. The device is especially useful in upconversion applications with its DC capable differential IF port that enables the LO to be close in frequency to the RF. Its low LO to RF leakage of less than –25dBm greatly eases the burden on the external filter. Additionally, the mixer delivers excellent linearity of 20.1dBm IIP3 at 14GHz, and 18.3dBm at 17GHz. The device integrates a broadband LO buffer, requiring only 0dBm drive and effectively eliminating an external high power LO amplifier circuit. Moreover, the device integrates a wideband balun transformer in its RF port, allowing single-ended 50ohm matched operation over its specified frequency range. All these features result in minimum external components, simplified design and a very small solution size. The device’s exceptionally wide bandwidth and performance is ideal for a broad range of applications, including 5G broadband wireless access, microwave backhaul, satellite broadband radios, radar systems, active antenna arrays, X, Ku and Ka band transceivers, RF test equipment, spectrum analysis and satellite communications.