Ain Shams University Spring 2024

Faculty of Engineering ECE 414s

Electronics & Comm. Eng. Dept. RF Circuit Design

Assignment 3 (10 marks)

Design a down-conversion double balanced active mixer at 2.4 GHz RF frequency, signal
BW of 10MHz and 30 MHz IF frequency with the following specs:
▪ Conversion Gain greater than 12 dB
▪ DSB Noise Figure less than 5 dB
▪ IIP3 (relative to 50 ohm impedance) greater than -8 dBm.
▪ IP1dB (relative to 50 ohm impedance) greater than -18 dBm.

The following simulations are required:

• State the minimum required LO amplitude for your design to operate correctly and justify (1
mark)
• A screenshot of your design clearly indicating the operating point, sizing and current when full
current steering occurs. (1 mark)
• Conversion gain versus the LO amplitude at the RF center frequency (that should be consistent
with your justification for the LO amplitude choice). (2 marks)
• Noise Figure of the mixer versus RF frequency. (2marks)
• Conversion gain versus the RF amplitude at the selected LO amplitude and state the IP1dB at
the RF center frequency. (2 marks)
• IM3 component and IF component versus input voltage and measuring the IIP3 at center RF
frequency. (2 marks)

Important Notes:

• Capacitors and Inductors (if any) should be used from the kit with their substrate connections
instead of ideal components.
• There is no need for the mixer to drive 50 ohms impedance at the output.
• The mixer load capacitance is 1pF.
• The mixer input impedance need not be matched to 50 ohms.

Instructions
• The assignment should be done with a team of three.
• Zero tolerance to cheating. Cheating cases can get zero marks for both teams.
• You can normally discuss concepts with your colleagues, but you are not allowed to discuss
answers of the assignment.
• Due date is 18/5/2024.
• The assignment should be sent to the following mail eng.ahmed.adel.mourad@gmail.com as a
pdf file, the subject of the mail MUST be Assignment3_ECE414s_Spring2024, ignoring this may
result in your assignment being lost.
• The first page should be a cover page clearing indicating your name in Arabic and English and
your code.