CRF2101 DC-to-5GHz High IIP3, Active, Current Reuse Mixer Product Features: High IIP3 Active Mixer Broadband Operation to 5GHz Directly Interfaces to Current Mode DAC Outputs Reuses current from other Current Mode cells Devices Easily Stacked between Supply Rails Configurable to Utilize less than 1 milliwatt of additional system power Differential LO, IF and RF Ports 1.3 Volt Single Supply Operation

With the advent of smaller geometry, higher Ft transistors available for use in integrated circuits, the current trend in IC design is for IC designers to push the speed limits of the new technology. The goal of this high speed quest is to produce higher speed digital signal processing chips and converter chips to convert high speed digital signals to high frequency analog waveforms, and to conversely, convert high speed analog waveforms to high speed digital signals for signal processing. This high speed approach, however, must be balanced with the system requirements for power dissipation, cleanliness of signal, etc., if an economical system is to be produced.

The applications for the CRF2101 outlined in this web site address this need for balance. They not only conserve system power by reusing signal processing current, they allow the DSP and Converter chips to run at lower clock rates. This cuts the Dynamic Power (especially in the case of CMOS based DSP and Converter chips) these chips would draw if they were clocked at higher clock rates. The following applications also enhance the dynamic performance of the Converter chips used in these applications, in that lower clock rates give converters longer to settle, thus enhanced dynamic performance.

The CurrentRF CRF2101 is a highly linear, broadband, current reuse, low supply voltage, active mixer for use in a wide variety of communication systems. Possessing wide bandwidth I/O ports and low intermodulation distortion, the CRF2101 is well suited for high performance transmit or receive channel applications.

Designed specifically for low headroom applications (.8 volts minimum) and for current reuse in communications systems, the CRF2101 can operate from supply voltages as low as +1.3 volts and can be configured to consume little, if any, additional system power.

The low impedance open-emitter differential inputs may be interfaced directly to the output of a current sourcing (PMOS or PNP output) Digital to Analog Converter, differential filter, the output of another CRF2101 active mixer, or driven through a balun (transformer) to provide a balanced input drive from a single-ended source.

The high impedance open-collector differential outputs may be used to drive a differential IF or RF interface, a differential IF or RF filter, or convert to a single ended source through the use of a balun transformer.

The LO port may be set up to receive signals from any line impedance and may be driven directly from the output of a balun transformer, or other differential sine or square wave source.

The output ports may source a maximum of 20mA per output. This current may be the “reused” signal current from the output of a current sourcing (PMOS or PNP output) Digital to Analog Converter, DC current sourced into the part from external current set resistors or current sources, or a combination of the above.

The CRF2101 may be tailored to consume under 1 milliwatt of additional system power if configured to totally “reuse” current sourcing (PMOS or PNP output) Digital to Analog Converter currents, or a maximum power consumption of 200 milliwatts if configured to be biased with 20mA of DC current per output with a +5 Volt supply.

The CRF2101 is fabricated on a proprietary, high performance, 10GHz, Silicon Bipolar IC process. The CRF2101 is available in an 8 lead SOIC package. It operates over a -40C to +85C temperature range.