Mixer IM3 Problem - RF Cafe Forums

The original RF Cafe Forums were shut down in late 2012 due to maintenance issues - primarily having to spend time purging garbage posts from the board. At some point I might start the RF Cafe Forums again if the phpBB software gets better at filtering spam.

Below are the old forum threads, including responses to the original posts.

-- Amateur Radio
-- Anecdotes, Gripes & Humor
-- Antennas
-- CAE, CAD, & Software
-- Circuits & Components
-- Employment & Interviews

-- Miscellany
-- Swap Shop
-- Systems
-- Test & Measurement
-- Webmaster

UP-CONVERTER
Post subject: Mixer IM3 Problem Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2005 8:06 pm
Hi guys...
I´m trying to build a converter to get my IF signal (143MHz) and convert into TV channels (Yes, Full Agile). The trouble is the following: When i´m working in I band and III band, the IM products are about -65dBc but at UHF channels the IM is < -70dBC. I´d like to know if it (this level of IM) is normal because i´m new at RF design. below follows the detailed information about test setup.

Mixer: SYM-25DMHW from MINI-CIRCUITS: IP3 +26dbm , +9dbm 1dB point
nput Signal: 145,26MHz and 140,76MHz (-10dBm each tone at mixer input)
LO Signal: +13 dBm (at mixer input)

All mixer ports have pads to keep de system matched (LO:-3dB, RF:-3dB, IF:-10dB)

Thanks and sorry about my english!!

Top

IR
Post subject: Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2005 2:38 pm

Site Admin

Joined: Mon Jun 27, 2005 2:02 pm
Posts: 373
Location: Germany
Hello,

Your set-up looks OK. You should look at the standard definitions and find out what is the required IM3 products per your standard.

By the way, have you checked that the actual power level at the Mixer's LO port is +13dBm (after the pad)?

If the power level is lower than it can hurt the linearity of the mixer.

_________________
Best regards,

- IR

Top

Polyphase
Post subject: Mixer IM3 ProblemPosted: Wed Jul 20, 2005 6:08 pm
You're fine!

I plugged your numbers (-10 dBm input tone power, -65 dBc IM tone) into the equation for Input Ip3 and I get IIP3 = +22.5 dBm. This assumes a conversion loss of 6.5 dB.

You could probably increase the input signal power by 6 dB without causing any noticeable inband distortion for your analog signal. Your power amplifier will probably create much more distortion than the mixer.

By the way, this mixer has an amazing IIP3 level for +13 dBm LO drive. Go for it!

-Lowell
http://www.polyphasemicrowave.com

Posted 11/12/2012