A 24–30 GHz Wideband, Low Voltage, Low-Power Down-Conversion Mixer in 0.18-μm SiGe Bi-CMOS Technology

The article presents an innovative wideband, low-voltage, low-power down-conversion mixer designed for the 24–30 GHz frequency range, crucial for modern wireless communication systems, particularly 5G technology. The mixer leverages 0.18-μm SiGe Bi-CMOS technology, combining the high-speed, low-noise properties of bipolar transistors with the integration benefits of CMOS. This combination enables the development of compact, high-performance systems with reduced power consumption and cost. The proposed mixer features a folded Gilbert cell architecture, which enhances conversion gain and noise performance under low-voltage conditions. A modified Marchand balun is integrated to convert single-ended signals to differential signals, ensuring high isolation and phase balance. The article provides a detailed design methodology, simulation results, and measurement data, demonstrating the mixer's superior performance in terms of conversion gain, isolation, and linearity. The study also includes a performance comparison with recently reported mixers, highlighting the advantages of the proposed design in terms of power efficiency and cost-effectiveness. The mixer's application in short-range wireless communication systems, including automotive radar and 5G communications, is discussed, emphasizing its potential to meet the growing demand for high-data-rate, low-latency mobile data access.