Simulation of the image rejection phase method

The paper considers the algorithmic possibility of the image rejection method. The main resulting characteristics of circuits implementing the above method are presented. The simulation model allows estimating the selectivity coefficient as a function of the phase and amplitude imbalance of the circuit branches. Mathematical and circuit simulations were conducted. The results of different modeling methods coincide, and the simulation results verify the possibility of implementing the image rejection method. On the basis of this model it is possible to provide a high level (at least 40 dB) of image rejection by amplitude and phase circuit imbalance compensation. The dependence of the noise level at the output of the image rejection circuit as a function of the circuit elements frequency characteristics is given. The results of this work could be used for further practical implementation of above mentioned method at the stage of selecting elements based on an analysis of their characteristics. The simulation model could be used to select required radioelements and to estimate image rejection level. It is possible to estimate the level of image channel suppression, the noise level and the signal-to-noise ratio at the output of the image rejection circuit by using the above mentioned mathematical models and characteristics of the selected elements for practical implementation of the circuit. The effect of the broadband phase shifters on the noise level is considered with the implementation of the above method as an example. It was shown that ensuring a high level of selectivity in order to minimize the noise level of the image channel is advisable only up to some values (about 25 dB). Further improvement of selectivity, for example, by minimizing the phase and amplitude balances, or mutual compensation of the mixer and phase shifter branch imbalances are necessary, if there are requirements for increasing the signal-to-noise ratio. It is shown that it is possible to ensure selectivity of up to 25 dB and a noise level reduction of 2.5-3 dB if the amplitude imbalance of the circuit is up to 1 dB, and the phase imbalance is up to 5 deg. in the required frequency band.

1. Haruoka M., Utsurogi Y., Matsuoka T., Taniguchi K. A Dual-band Image-reject Mixer for GPS with 64dB Image Rejection. In: IEEE Topical Conference on Wireless Communication Technology, Oct. 2003. P. 168-169. https://doi.org/10.1109/WCT.2003.1321472

2. Haruoka M., Utsurogi Y., Matsuoka T., Taniguchi K. A. Study on the LO Phase Error Compensation of GPS Dual-Band Image-Reject Mixer. IEICE Trans. Electron. 2003;J86-C(11):1177-1183. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecjb.20061.

3. Kazuhiro N., Hiroyuki M., Masaomi T., Kenji K., Moriyasu M., Yoji. I.A Planar Image Rejection Mixer with 135/45 deg Power Dividers. In: IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Symposium. June 2007. P. 1401-1404. https://doi.org/10.1109/MWSYM.2007.380493.

4. Harvey J. C, Harjani R. An Integrated Quadrature Mixer with Improved Image Rejection at Low Voltage. In: Proc. 14th International Conference on VLSI Design (VLSI DESIGN 2001). 2001. P. 269-273. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICVD.2001.902672.

5. Harvey J. C. Harjani R. Analysis and design of an integrated quadrature mixer with improved noise, gain and image rejection. In: Proc. IEEE International Symposium on Circuits and Systems (ISCAS). 2001. V. 4. P. 786-789. https://doi.org/10.1109/ISCAS.2001.922355

6. Darabi H., Abidi A.A. Noise in RF-CMOS mixers: a simple physical model. IEEE J. Solid-State Circuits. 2000;35(1):15-25. https://doi.org/10.1109/4.818916.

7. Carrera A., Rohmer G. Novel Design Methodology for Low-power Image-reject Mixers. In: Topical Meeting on Silicon Monolithic Integrated Circuits in RF Systems. 05 March 2007. P. 261-264. https://doi.org/10.1109/SMIC.2007.322808.

8. Fang J.S., Bellaouar A., Li S.T., Allstot D.J. An image-rejection down-converter for low-IF receivers. IEEE Microw. T. Theory. 2005;53(2):478-487. https://doi.org/10.1109/TMTT.2004.840759.

9. Cetin E., Topcu S., Kale I. Design and low-power implementation of an adaptive image rejection receiver. In: Proc. IEEE International Symposium on Circuits and Systems. 18-21 May 2008. P. 3146-3149. https://doi.org/10.1109/ISCAS.2008.4542125.

10. Walker J.L.B. Improvements to the Design of the 180° Rat Race Coupler and its Application to the design of Balanced Mixers with High LO to RF Isolation. In: IEEE MMT-S Digest. 1997. V. II. P. 747-750. https://doi.org/10.1109/MWSYM.1997.602898.

11. Younus Md., Mohammed I. Phase Calibration Technique for Mismatch Optimization in Image-Reject Receivers. Analog Integr. Circ. Sig. Process. 2006;46(2):165-168. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10470-005-0851-7.

12. Kravchenko R., Markov K., Orlenko D. Sevskiy G., Heide P. Implementation of a miniaturized lumped-distributed balun in balanced filtering for wireless applications. In: European Microwave Conference. November 2005. V. 2. P. 1306. https://doi.org/10.1109/EUMC.2005.1610174.

13. Yang B., Zhiqiang Yu., Jianyi Z. A low noise S-band image rejection mixer based on enhancement mode pHEMT. In: Progress in Electromagnetics Research Symposium. 2017. P. 508-512. https://doi.org/10.1109/PIERS-FALL.2017.8293191.

14. Mayer B. Planar broadband image rejection mixer. Electronics Letters. 1991;27(23):2128-2130. http://dx.doi.org/10.1049/el:19911318.

15. Wen H., Changjun L. Compact half-wave balun using microstrip and lumped-element artificial transmission lines. In: Proc. International Conference on Microwave and Millimeter Wave Technology (ICMMT). 2012. V. 1. P. 1-4. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICMMT.2012.6229909.