
8-391
RF2860
Rev A7 031105
Differential IF Matching
L2, L3 and C2 are chosen to resonate at the desired IF frequency. C2 can be omitted and the value of L1 increased and
utilized solely as a choke to provide VCC to the open-collector outputs, but it is strongly recommended that at least some
small-valued C2 (a few pF) be retained for better mixer linearity performance. R1 is normally selected to match the input
impedance of the IF filter. However, mixer performance can be modified by selecting an R value that is different from the
IF filter input impedance, and inserting a conjugate matching network between the Resistive Output Network and the IF
filter.
C1 and C3 serve dual purposes. C1 and C3 serve as a series DC block when a DC path to ground is present in the IF fil-
ter. In addition, C1 may be chosen to improve the combine performance of the mixer and IF filter. L1 should choose to
resonate with the internal capacitance of the SAW filter. Usually, SAW filter has some capacitance. Otherwise, L1 could
be eliminated.
A practical approach to obtain the differential matching is to tune the mixer to the correct load point for gain, IIP3, and NF
using the single-end current combiner method. Second, use the component values found in the single-end approach as
starting point for the differential matching. The two-shunt capacitors in the single-end matching could be converted to a
parallel capacitor and the parallel inductor in the single-end matching needs to be converted in to a choke inductor. Third,
set the DC block capacitors (C1 and C3) in the differential-end matching to a high value (i.e., 100pF) and retune the res-
onate circuit (C2, L2 and L3) and the resistor (R) for optimal performance. After optimal performance is achieved and if
performance is not satisfactory, decrease the series capacitors until optimal performance is achieved.
C2
R1
L2
L3
V
CC
100 pF
C1
C3
IF+
IF-
L2
IF Saw
4
5
9
10
IF-
IF+