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Abstract

A passive uniplanar double-balanced star RF mixer, comprising a substantially planar support substrate with a conductive layer of material disposed on one side and a slotline and first, second, and third coplanar waveguides formed therein which are configured to accommodate different frequencies. The first waveguide is bifurcated on one end into two waveguide branches which form first and second waveguide terminations each physically coupled to one end of the slotline. The second waveguide is electrically coupled to the first waveguide at a location spaced apart from the branches. The third waveguide is electrically coupled to the slotline at a position located approximately equi-distant from the slotline ends. A first grounding element is connected to the grounds of the first and third waveguides, and is positioned adjacent to the first branch termination. A conductive surface is enclosed by the waveguide branches and the slotline. This enclosed conductive surface has its smallest planar dimension large relative to the width of the slotline. The enclosed surface is further connected to the first and second grounding element across the coplanar waveguide branches. A second grounding element is connected to the grounds for the second and third waveguides, and is positioned adjacent to the second branch termination. First and second diodes are connected by a cathode to the center conductor of the first waveguide first end termination and at an anode to the first grounding element and the enclosed conductive surface. Third and fourth diodes are connected by an anode to the center conductor of the first waveguide the second end termination and at cathodes to the second grounding element and the enclosed conductive surface.

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First Claim