What is wrong with this mixer circuits? Puzzling and for help.
However, when I put the circuit in the shieding box, the conversion loss is varying noticeably from 30 dB to 7 dB. I have added the LO power when the conversion loss doesn't improve. What is wrong with the circuit? the multilayer circuits won't work in the microwave bands, not less than 10 GHz such as 4 GHz? Some one would like to verify it? Any advice is welcome.
I have to design a multilayer for I have other components to solder to the final PCB. If you have designed the multilayer in the C-band, and it works well or doesn't works, or you can advise me some books or links, please tell me.
It sounds like you may have a resonance inside your shielded box. You could try putting some RF absorber material on one of the inside walls.
http://www.tdk.co.jp/tefe02/absorber.htm
You mentioned about a lot of ground vias that you put on your PCB layout, but what about grounding the shielded can? For wideband and high frequency the shield may need to be grounded and soldered all around, and using multiple through-via to all the bottom ground layers.
Also because this is a mixer design, any mismatch to one of the ports will deteriorate the circuit performances.
Thanks for all replies. I have mistaken the IF port and the RF port. It shows normally when I connect the right port. It is a low level mistake. Thanks again.
