US007072636 B2

(12) United States Patent (10) Patent No.: US 7,072,636 B2

Dobrovolny (45) Date of Patent: Jul. 4, 2006
(54) PRINTED CIRCUIT DOUBLY BALANCED 5,006,811 A 4, 1991 Kruger ....................... 329.354
MIXER FOR UPCONVERTER 5,060,298 A * 10/1991 Waugh et al. ... ... 455,326
5,140,705 A 8/1992 Kosuga ...................... 455,318
(75) Inventor: Pierre Dobrovolny, North Riverside, IL 5,175,885. A 12/1992 Lange et al.
(US) 5,280,648
4. ww. A 1, 1994 Dob 1
ODrOVOnly ................ 455,326
5,379.457 A 1/1995 Nguyen ............ ... 455,323
(73) Assignee: Zenith Electronics Corporation, 5,428,839 A 6/1995 Friesen et al. .............. 455,326
Lincolnshire, IL (US) 5.430,895 A 7, 1995 Huusko
s 5,543,756 A * 8/1996 Anderson .. ... 333, 186
5,553,319 A * 9/1996 Tanbakuchi ... 455,326
(*) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this 5,697,088 A * 12/1997 apakuen ... 455,307
patent is extended or adjusted under 35 5,732,345 A * 3/1998 Vice ........................... 455,333
U.S.C. 154(b) by 783 days. 5,774,801. A 6/1998 Li et al
5,777,527 A * 7/1998 Sanders ....................... 333.26
(21) Appl. No.: 09/863,709 5,917,386 A 6/1999 Dobrovolny
9 5,930,696 A * 7/1999 TZuang et al. .............. 455,311
(22) Filed: May 23, 2001 6,002,860 A * 12/1999 Voinigescu et al. ........... TO3/14
6,009,318 A * 12/1999 Freed ......................... 455,326
(65) Prior Publication Data 6,026,286 A * 2/2000 Long .......................... 455,327
6,057,714 A * 5/2000 Andrys et al. . ... 327,105
US 2001/OO36818 A1 Nov. 1, 2001 6,118,992 A * 9/2000 Watanabe ...... ... 455,326
6,215,374 B1 * 4/2001 Petrovic ..................... 333/177
Related U.S. Application Data * cited b
c1ted by examiner
(63) Continuation-in-part of application No. 09/276,066,
filed on Mar. 25, 1999. Primary Examiner Duc M. Nguyen
(51) Int. Cl. (57) ABSTRACT
H04B I/26 (2006.01)
H04B I/28 (2006.01)
(52) U.S. Cl. ...................... 455/313; 455/326:455/328;
455/333
A. ASSR, NSSR.N
on opposite sides of an insulated Substrate with electrical
(58) Field of lity 5.333,336 5.3. interconnections between the foil elements. An IF balun
s s s 4 55A2 87 29o 292 2 93 circuit also comprises series tuned and parallel tuned foil
S lication file f 1 s h hi s elements on opposite sides of the Substrate in juxtaposition
ee application file for complete search history. to each other. A diode Switching network interconnects the
(56) References Cited baluns. A local oscillator signal is connected to the foil
elements of the local oscillator balun circuit, an RF signal is
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS coupled to one foil element of the IF balun circuit and an IF
signal is taken from the other foil element of the IF balun
3,678,418 A * 7/1972 Woodward ................... 333.26 circuit. Another embodiment incorporates MESFET type
3,727,078 A * 4, 1973 Wollesen .................... 327,113 switches, the gates of which are supplied directly with a
4,063,176 A * 12/1977 Milligan et al. ............ 455,326 symmetrical local oscillator signal. This arrangement elimi
4,080,573 A * 3/1978 Howell ....................... 455,318 nates the need for the local oscillator balun.
4,306.311 A 12/1981 Igarashi
4,449,245 A 5/1984 Rabe .......................... 455,319
4,677,691 A 6, 1987 Scott .......................... 455,318 10 Claims, 2 Drawing Sheets

RF
SOURCE
SYMMLO
SOURCE
U.S. Patent Jul. 4, 2006 Sheet 1 of 2 US 7,072,636 B2
U.S. Patent Jul. 4, 2006 Sheet 2 of 2 US 7,072,636 B2

RF
SOURCE
SYMMLO
SOURCE
 US 7,072,636 B2
1. 2
PRINTED CIRCUIT DOUBLY BALANCED DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
MIXER FOR UPCONVERTER INVENTION

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an RF upconverter mixer

APPLICATIONS 5 circuit includes a buffer amplifier 10 that is supplied with a
local oscillator signal (LO) and which is coupled to termi
This application is a Continuation in Part of application balun nals X and Y of a circuit 14 through a conventional ferrite
Ser. No. 09/276,066, filed Mar. 25, 1999, entitled PRINTED 12, one end of which is returned to a ground source
CIRCUIT DOUBLY BALANCED MIXER FOR UPCON 10
through a capacitor 11. Those skilled in the art will appre
ciate that balun 12 will generally comprise a bifilar winding
VERTER and is related to application Ser. No. 08/815,561, and a ferrite core. Balun 12 is connected intermediate a pair
filed Mar. 12, 1997, entitled PRINTED CIRCUIT TRANS of end terminals A and B of a circuit 14. Circuit 14 includes
FORMER HYBRIDS FOR RF MIXERS and application a center tap C that is connected to a ground source through
Ser. No. 09/275,949, entitled PRINTED SINGLE BAL a capacitor 19. Circuit 14, which consists of a plurality of
ANCED DOWNCONVERTER MIXER, all in the name of 15 annular foil elements 14a–14f. as shown in FIG. 2, functions
the inventor and all assigned to Zenith Electronics Corpo as an LO balun, thereby eliminating the need for a conven
ration. tional ferrite core balun. (The terms “printed”, “foil and
“printed foil as used herein and in the claims should be
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION understood to include metallic foil elements that are printed,
deposited, etched or affixed in any manner to an insulating
Surface or Substrate.) A capacitor 22 is connected across
This invention relates to printed circuit foil elements used terminals
in equipment operating at UHF and higher frequencies and A and B for tuning out the inductance of LObalun
especially to such foil elements in broadband passive RF circuit 14 at the LO signal frequency. A source of DC voltage
+V is connected to the junction of capacitor 11 and balun 12
mixers (upconverters used in television and satellite receiv 25 for supplying DC operating power to buffer amplifier 10
ers) that operate at frequencies in the gigahertz range. As is
well known, operation at Such high frequencies make com through balun 12 and a portion of LO balun circuit 14.
ponent configurations, overall circuit layout, lead lengths A mixer diode network, consisting of diodes 24, 26, 28
and lead placement extremely critical. This is one of the and 30, is connected between terminals A and B of LObalun
reasons conventional ferrite core coils and transformers are circuit 14, through R/C diode self biasing networks 31, 32.
30 33 and 34, to the terminals E and D of another circuit 35 that
difficult to use in high frequency broadband RF mixer consists of metallic foil elements that function as an inter
circuits. Another reason is the loss associated with the ferrite
material. Normally, an RF mixer of this type incorporates up mediate frequency (IF) balun. IF balun circuit 35 consists of
to three ferrite baluns. The present invention provides a an annular foil element 36 that is center tapped to form two
doubly balanced RF mixer that utilizes the foil construction foil elements 36a and 36b, the junction F of which is
techniques of copending Application Ser. No. 08/815,561 35 connected to receive an RF input signal, and another foil
for minimizing the number of ferrite baluns required and element 38 that is used to couple out the IF signal. The
also for minimizing lead length problems, reducing losses upconverter mixer is shown on a double-sided insulated
and avoiding costly and time consuming labor. substrate 40, as is indicated in dashed lines. As is well
known, the symmetrical local oscillator signal causes
40 ON/OFF commutation of the pairs of diodes 24.28 and
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
26.30 which produces alternating high and low impedances
at terminals D and E. The result is the well known hetero
A principal object of the invention is to provide an dyning of the RF input signal and the LO signal for
improved broadband RF mixer for operation in the giga producing the IF signal.
Hertz range. 45 In FIG. 2, the foil elements 14a–14f of LO balun circuit
Another object of the invention is to provide a novel 14 are juxtaposed on opposite sides of insulated Substrate 40.
doubly balanced RF mixer for an upconverter that operates The insulated Substrate preferably comprises a thin glass,
in the gigahertz range. ceramic or Teflon filled printed circuit board upon which the
A further object of the invention is to minimize the need foil elements are printed, etched or otherwise formed by
for ferrite baluns in a broadband RF mixer. 50 conventional printed circuit techniques. Thus foil elements
14b.14c and 14e, 14fare on one side of substrate 40 and foil
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS elements 14a and 14d are on the other side. Foil elements
14a and 14b are interconnected via plated-through holes
These and other objects and advantages of the invention 46a,46b and foil elements 14d and 14e are interconnected
will be apparent upon reading the following description in 55 via plated-through holes 48a.48b. It should be noted that,
conjunction with the drawings, in which: while plated-through holes are in the preferred construction
FIG. 1 is a simplified schematic diagram of an RF of the invention, other types of interconnections may also be
employed. Foil elements 14b and 14c are slightly separated
upconverter mixer constructed in accordance with the inven on substrate 40 to form a gap 20a for connection of an
tion that eliminates two ferrite baluns; 60 isolating capacitance 20 and foil elements 14e and 14fare
FIG. 2 is an exploded view illustrating the placement of similarly separated on the Substrate to form a gap 18a for
the printed circuit board foil elements of the RF upconverter connection of an isolating capacitance 18. The gaps and
mixer of FIG. 1; and isolating capacitances have no effect on the operation of the
FIG. 3 is a simplified Schematic diagram illustrating an mixer at RF frequencies, and are used to isolate the mixer
RF upconverter that utilizes electronic switches and a sym diodes from DC current flow.
metrical LO input signal which minimizes the total number Even mode LO current flow proceeds via terminal A,
of baluns. through foil elements 14c. 14b, through plated-through holes
 US 7,072,636 B2
3 4
46a,46b, through foil element 14a to terminal C. The even use of the MESFET switches (and other types of equivalent
mode LO return current flow in the other foil elements electronic Switches) and the use of a symmetrical LO signal
proceeds via terminal B, through foil elements 14f14e. simplifies the circuitry (eliminating the need for LO balun
through plated-through holes 48a.48b, through foil element 14 in FIG. 1 as an RF return path). It will be appreciated that
14d to terminal C. The current flow for the LO is thus seen the need for the DC bias source 50 will be determined by the
to be in the same direction in the overlying foil elements and particular implementation of the Switching devices that is
the LO balun circuit 14 exhibits a high impedance between employed.
terminals A.B. The combined diode impedance appearing It should be understood that the other elements of the
between terminals A,B is reduced to a value about four times circuit of FIGS. 1 and 3 are preferably miniaturized and
Smaller at terminals X,Y, thus yielding a convenient imped 10 adapted to printed circuitry. The buffer amplifier 10 and the
ance value relative to the balun 12 and buffer amplifier 10. various discrete resistors and capacitors are preferably of the
Capacitor 22, together with the diode capacitances and the surface mount type. The mixer diodes 24, 26, 28 and 30 may
inductance of foil elements 14a–14f form a low Q (and thus similarly comprise a Surface mount quad diode pack and the
broadband) parallel resonant circuit that is tuned to the interconnections between the circuit elements may be
center of the LO band. The odd mode RF current flow 15 printed circuit micro striplines. The balun 12 is a miniature
through foil elements 14a–14f provides for a low imped ferrite core device that is soldered in place on substrate 40.
ance return path between terminals A and B and ground, The MESFET switches 60 and 70 and compensation induc
respectively, necessary for the commutation of the RF signal tor 58 are similarly mounted directly on the substrate. While
applied to terminal F and alternatively switched through none of these elements is illustrated in FIG. 2 for the sake
diode pairs 26.30 and 24.28, respectively, to ground. of clarity, it should be understood that they are all located on
The IF balun circuit 35, which is also disposed on one side or the other of substrate 40. It will also be noted that
substrate 40, includes foil elements 36a and 36b that are with the circuit of FIG. 3, the balun 14 (left-hand side of
connected between terminals D and E and which are Sup substrate 40 in FIG. 2) is not required and substrate 40 is
plied with the RF signal at their junction (terminal F). A reduced to the right hand portion (balun35) only.
capacitor 37 parallel tunes the inductance of foil elements 25 The RF mixer circuits described above operate in accor
36a, 36b to the IF frequency. The IF balun circuit 35 also dance with well-known principles to mix an incoming RF
includes foil element 38, having end terminals G and H. signal with a local oscillator signal to generate a higher
disposed on the opposite side of Substrate 40 juxtaposed to frequency or upconverted IF output signal for further pro
foil elements 36a and 36b. Foil element 38 is in mutual cessing. The printed circuit and the construction techniques
inductance relationship with foil elements 36a and 36b and, 30 for the various foil elements, in conjunction with the use of
as mentioned previously, the IF output signal is taken a miniature Surface mounted amplifier and mixer diode
therefrom. A capacitor 42 connects end terminal G to ground pack, in one embodiment or MESFET switches in the other
and a capacitor 44 is connected to end terminal H. Capaci embodiment, and Surface mounted capacitors and resistors
tors 42 and 44 series tune the inductance of foil element 38 makes for a small, economical and reproducible doubly
to the IF output signal frequency that is present in the 35 balanced passive RF mixer, with low distortion and having
heterodyne products. It will be appreciated that the IF balun a narrow band IF response, for use in the gigaHertz fre
circuit 35 has a wideband RF response and a narrow band IF quency range.
response due to the series resonance of foil element 38 and What has been described is a novel printed circuit con
capacitors 42 and 44 and the parallel resonance of foil struction for a doubly balanced RF mixer that is operable in
elements 36a and 36b and capacitor 37. The narrow band IF 40 the gigaHertz and higher frequency range. It is recognized
response eliminates the need for various filtering arrange that numerous changes in the described embodiment of the
ments found in high frequency prior art mixers. The wide invention will occur to those skilled in the art without
band RF response (from VHF to UHF and up to gigaHertz departing from its true spirit and scope. The invention is to
frequencies involved) necessitates the use of miniature com be limited only as defined in the claims.
ponents, such as those obtainable with the use of foils and 45 The invention claimed is:
Substrates. 1. A double balanced mixer comprising:
The arrangement of FIG 3 differs from that of FIG. 1 in a source of a symmetrical local oscillator signal;
that the diode switching network has been replaced by a Switching circuit controlled by said local oscillator
MESFET or other fast acting type electronic switches 60 and signal;
70, the use of which (in conjunction with a symmetrical LO 50 a source of RF signal; and,
signal input) also eliminates the need for the LO balun 14. a printed output circuit having a wideband response for
A source of DC bias 50 is provided for the MESFET receiving said RF signal and connected to said Switch
switches. In particular, the DC bias is supplied to the control ing circuit for producing a narrow band IF output signal
electrodes (gates) of the MESFET switches 60 and 70 comprising the frequency difference between said local
through resistors 52 and 54. A symmetrical source of LO 55 oscillator signal and said RF signal, wherein said
signal 56 is coupled across the control electrodes of the output circuit includes parallel tuned elements exhib
MESFET switches 60 and 70. An inductor 58 is provided for iting said wideband response and series tuned elements
tuning out the gate capacitances of the Switches. An output exhibiting said narrow band response.
electrode of each of the MESFET switches 60 and 70 is 2. A double balanced mixer comprising:
connected directly to ground and a third electrode of each is 60 a source of a symmetrical local oscillator signal;
connected to point D and to point E, respectively. The tuned a Switching circuit controlled by said local oscillator
IF balun circuitry 35 is identical to that shown and discussed signal;
in the arrangement of FIG 1. A source 65 of RF signal is a source of RF signal; and
connected to terminal F that connects to elements 36a and a printed output circuit having a wideband response for
36b of the IF balun 35. The MESFET switches 60 and 70 65 receiving said RF signal and connected to said Switch
may, for example, comprise off-the-shelf devices identified ing circuit for producing a narrow band IF output signal
by Infineon, (formerly Siemens) part number CMY 210. The comprising the frequency difference between said local
 US 7,072,636 B2
5 6
oscillator signal and said RF signal, wherein said connected to receive said local oscillator signal, an
printed output circuit includes a printed balun, wherein output terminal and a third terminal connected to
the printed balun comprises first and second foil ele ground;
ments, wherein the first foil element is coupled to the said first and second MESFET switches being alternately
Switching circuit and to the RF signal source, and 5 turned on and off in response to said local oscillator
wherein the second foil element is displaced from the signal;
first foil element and produces the IF output signal. a source of RF signal;
3. The mixer of claim 2 wherein said switching circuit an insulated Substrate; and
comprises first and second Switches, each having a control a printed output circuit having a wideband response for
terminal connected to receive said local oscillator signal, an 10 receiving said RF signal and connected to said Switch
output terminal and a third terminal connected to ground, ing circuit for producing a narrow band IF output signal
said first and second Switches being alternately turned on comprising the frequency difference between said local
and off in response to said local oscillator signal. oscillator signal and said RF signal;
4. The mixer of claim 3, wherein said first and second said printed output circuit including a printed IF balun
switches comprise MESFET devices, each having a gate 15 having a first foil element, in a parallel tuned circuit,
electrode corresponding to said control electrodes, respec connected across said output terminals and a second
tively. foil element, in a series tuned circuit, displaced from
5. The mixer of claim 2, further including an insulated said first foil element on opposite sides of said insulated
substrate, wherein the first foil element and the second foil Substrate.
element are displaced on opposite sides of the insulated 20 10. A double balanced mixer comprising:
substrate. a local oscillator signal input that receives a local oscil
6. The mixer of claim 5, wherein said first foil element is lator signal;
in a parallel tuned circuit and said second foil element is in an RF signal input that receives an RF signal;
a series tuned circuit. an IF output;
7. The mixer of claim 5, wherein said switching circuit 25 a switching circuit controlled by the local oscillator
comprises first and second Switches, each having a control signal; and,
terminal connected to receive said local oscillator signal, an a printed output circuit having a wideband response for
output terminal and a third terminal connected to ground, receiving, the RF signal and connected to the Switching
said first and second Switches being alternately turned on circuit for producing a narrow band IF output signal at
and off in response to said local oscillator signal. 30 the IF output, wherein the narrow band IF output signal
8. The mixer of claim 7, wherein said first and second comprises the frequency difference between the local
switches comprise MESFET devices, each having a gate oscillator signal and the RF signal, wherein the printed
electrode corresponding to said control electrodes, respec output circuit comprises a balun having an input balun
tively. element and an output balun element, wherein the input
9. A double balanced mixer comprising: 35 balun element is coupled to the Switching circuit and to
a source of a symmetrical local oscillator signal; the RF signal input, and wherein the output balun
a Switching circuit controlled by said local oscillator element is coupled to the IF output.
signal, said Switching circuit comprising first and sec
ond MESFET switches, each having a gate electrode k k k k k