Current-tuning integrated magnetic film monolithic frequency mixer and tuning manufacture method thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to a current-tuning integrated magnetic film monolithic frequency mixer based on a monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) manufacturing process, and a direct current is used to tune a bandwidth and frequency conversion loss of the frequency mixer. The invention is characterized in that: an LO (local oscillator) signal and RF (radio frequency) signal of the frequency mixer are respectively inputted into four annular diodes through a ferromagnetic spiral transformer type Balun (balance-unbalance converter) which can add with a current; the Balun is formed by inserting a ferromagnetic thin film layer and an insulating medium layer under a conventional metal spiral transformer type Balun; the bandwidth and frequency conversion loss of the frequency mixer can be tuned by the current; and when the direct current is provided, the bandwidth of the frequency mixer is broadened and the frequency conversion loss is reduced. In the invention, the advantages that: (1) the frequency bandwidth of the frequency mixer is tunable, (2) the frequency conversion loss of the frequency mixer is tunable, and (3) the manufacturing process is compatible with the GaAs (gallium arsenide), GaN (gallium nitride) and conventional RF / MMIC manufacturing process are realized..

Description

Technical field [0001] The invention relates to a circuit in the field of microelectronics technology and a manufacturing method thereof, in particular to a current-tuned integrated magnetic film monolithic mixer manufactured based on a monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) manufacturing process; The bandwidth and conversion loss of the mixer are tuned by DC current. Background technique [0002] The mixer is a device that realizes the sum or difference operation of two frequencies (or its harmonics). It is a key component in almost all RF and microwave communication receivers, transmitters and signal generators. Its main function is to convert the signal from one Frequency conversion to another frequency makes the work of other functional circuits such as signal amplification, filtering, detection and transmission more effective. [0003] The circuit principle of the traditional double balanced mixer is as figure 1 As shown, four identical mixing diodes form a ring struc...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0004] Traditional double-balanced mixers generally use Marchand or Lange coupled lines to achieve balanced-unbalanced conversion, but in the lower application frequency band (<10GHz), the area of ​​the balun of these two structures increases rapidly as the frequency decreases, and does not Facilitates full monolithic integration

The metal helical transformer-type balun developed by the researchers attempts to solve this problem (Y. J. Yoon, Y. Lu, R. C. Frye, and P. R. Smith, “Modeling of monolithic RF spiral transmission-line balun,” IEEE Trans. Microw. Theory Tech., vol . 49, no. 2, pp. 393–395, Feb. 2001.), but in the lower application frequency band (<2GHz), the Balun of this structure also occupies a large amount of chip area, making the full monolithic dual The area of ​​the balanced mixer is too large, the yield is reduced, and the cost is increased

At the same time, the bandwidth and conversion loss of the mixers with the above structures cannot be changed during use.

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