Mixer IP3 - RF Cafe Forums

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smanoha

Post subject: Mixer IP3 Posted: Tue Nov 21, 2006 2:21 am

Captain

Joined: Tue Apr 25, 2006 2:01 am

Posts: 7

I am presently designing a resistive FET mixer and I have got a couple of questions on the IP3 of the mixer

1. Can the Mixer IIP3 change with RF drive level as my simulations indicate?

2. How accurate are generic GaAsFET and HEMT large signal models when it comes to predicting intermodulation?

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IR

Post subject: Posted: Wed Nov 22, 2006 7:19 am

Site Admin

Joined: Mon Jun 27, 2005 2:02 pm

Posts: 373

Location: Germany

Hello smanoha,

To answer your questions:

Quote:

1. Can the Mixer IIP3 change with RF drive level as my simulations indicate?

There can be changes. The IIP3 is measuered in small signal, when you increase the input signal level then the IIP3 normally degrades.

Quote:

How accurate are generic GaAsFET and HEMT large signal models when it comes to predicting intermodulation?

Hard to answer on this question. It all depends on how accurate the models are.From my experience with GaAsFet models, usually the models are good enough to predict intermodulations and P1dB compression point.

_________________

Best regards,

- IR

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smanoha

Post subject: UpdatePosted: Wed Nov 29, 2006 1:20 am

Captain

Joined: Tue Apr 25, 2006 2:01 am

Posts: 7

Thanks IR for your reply. My problem was that even at low power levels the simulated IP3 was a function of input RF power. The software I am using calculates the OIP3 as P(fund)+IMR/2 which seems to be based on the fact that for every dB rise in P(fund) the third order products rise by 3 dB. I realized yesterday, that in my design the third order products were'nt rising at this rate.

I am now wondering if there is a theoretical basis for this 3 dB rise in third order products for every dB rise in fundamental power or whether it is just a thumb rule that engineers use?

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IR

Post subject: Posted: Wed Nov 29, 2006 1:32 am

Site Admin

Joined: Mon Jun 27, 2005 2:02 pm

Posts: 373

Location: Germany

This is not a rule of thumb but something which is based on theory with a mathematical derivation behind. I suggest that you will read more about it. You can find it in an amplifier design/RF design text books.

The IP3 is a theortetical point (Which can never be reached in practice) and the 3dB/1dB ratio is maintained in low signal conditions to keep IP3 at the same value. So in the formula when input power is sweeped, the values change accordingly in this ratio.

If your IM3 products don't follow this rule, that means that you are reaching to compression point and small signal rules don't apply anymore.

_________________

Best regards,

- IR

Posted  11/12/2012