High-Performance RF Balanced Microstrip Mixer Configuration for Cryogenic and Room Temperatures

A high-performance S-band down-conversion microstrip mixer, for operation from 77 K to 300 K, is described. The balanced mixer combines a 90 degree hybrid coupler, two Schottky diodes, a band pass filter, and a low pass filter. The coupler phase shift drastically improves noise rejection. The circuit was implemented according to the configuration obtained from extensive simulation results based on electromagnetic analysis. The experimental results agreed well with the simulation results, showing a maximum measured insertion loss of 0.4 dB at 2 GHz. The microstrip mixer can be easily adjusted to different frequency ranges, up to about 50 GHz, through the proper choice of microstrip configuration. This novel S-band cryogenic mixer, implemented without resorting to special components, shows a very high performance at liquid nitrogen temperatures, making this mixer very suitable for high-temperature superconductive applications, such as front-ends.