Direct up-conversion MMIC with RF bandwidth of 4 to 12 GHz

The design and performance of a novel direct up-conversion MMIC is described. The circuit accepts analog differential or single-ended signals from a DAC, forms a sampling pulse from the DAC clock, and creates a time domain waveform that is a pulse doublet train amplitude modulated by the DAC input. The appropriate spectral line is then obtained via bandpass filtering. This approach minimizes cost, volume, power, and weight by eliminating the requirement for a local oscillator. The MMIC is implemented in a fully selective 0.15 /spl mu/m double recess PHEMT process.