Linear-in-dB Variable-Gain Downconversion Mixer for Zero Intermediate Frequency Receivers

In-phase/quadrature (I/Q) mismatch is a key problem in zero intermediate frequency (ZIF) receiver architectures. Although integration and careful layout can alleviate I/Q mismatch, circuit and system level calibrations are also needed due to process variations and variable operating conditions. The amplitude imbalance between I/Q channels was calibrated using a modified R-2R ladder to achieve fine linear-in-dB variable gain. A downconversion mixer working in the 2.4-GHz band was developed for a wireless local area network (WLAN) ZIF receiver using 0.25-µm complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS). The two-stage mixer configuration relaxes the tradeoff between noise and linearity. Experimental results verify the fine linear-in-dB variable conversion gain of the mixer, which can also be used as part of an automatic gain control (AGC) loop.