Spurious and intermodulation response analysis of passive double-balanced mixers using the double-frequency scanning technique

The application of the automated double-frequency test technique (ADFTT) to the analysis of mixergenerated nonlinear products is described. The distinctive feature of this technique is the ability to detect all nonlinear effects appearing in the device under test. Using the ADFTT, the detailed experimental analysis of three modern double-balanced mixers is performed, which includes the detection, recognition, and characterization of the mixer interference responses. As a result of the analysis, it is found a high susceptibility of the mixers to such types of spurious-response and intermodulation interference that are not traditionally considered as the most dangerous. This peculiarity must be taken into account when solving EMC problems of co-site radio systems.