Millimeter-wave mixer measurement: Comparison of different methods

Abstract

This paper compares three different procedures for characterising the Noise Temperature and Conversion Loss of a millimetre wave mixer. To carry out this study a 183 GHz subharmonic mixer has been measured using three alternative procedures, i.e. the "Attenuator", the "Gain" and the "Noise injection" procedures. Furthermore for every measurement procedure three different detection methods have been used; a Broadband Power Meter, a YIG Filter working together with a Broadband Power Meter and a Spectrum Analyser. The "Gain procedure" has turned out to be the most stable one in terms of less variation between consecutive values and flatter results along all the frequency range. Results obtained with every detection method are consistent with each other, showing a similar performance of the mixer independently the detection method used.

USE of COC substrates for millimeter‐wave devices

“…The mixer noise temperature and conversion loss are calculated by means of the Y‐Factor method using a cold and hot source at the input of the receiver system . The hot load is obtained pointing out the receiver antenna to an absorbent material which is operating at room temperature; conversely, the cold load is obtained through submerging the absorbent material in liquid nitrogen which operates at 77 K and placing it in front of the receiver antenna.…”