The disclosure relates to technology for shifting a frequency range of a signal. In one aspect, a circuit comprises a frequency mixer, a frequency synthesizer configured to generate an oscillator signal, a programmable driver, and a controller. The programmable driver is configured to receive the oscillator signal from the frequency synthesizer and to provide the oscillator signal to the oscillator input of the frequency mixer. The programmable driver is configured to have a variable drive strength. The controller is configured to control the drive strength of the programmable driver based on a frequency of the oscillator signal to adjust a rise time and a fall time of the oscillator signal at the oscillator input of the frequency mixer.

An integrated amplifier device includes a main amplifier configured to be coupled to an input source. A replica amplifier is coupled to the main amplifier to provide a bias to the main amplifier. A transconductance biasing cell to the main amplifier and the replica amplifier. The transconductance biasing cell is configured to bias both the main amplifier and the replica amplifier. A method of making an integrated amplifier device is also disclosed.

The disclosure relates to technology for shifting a frequency range of a signal. In one aspect, a circuit comprises a frequency mixer, a frequency synthesizer configured to generate an oscillator signal, a programmable driver, and a controller. The programmable driver is configured to receive the oscillator signal from the frequency synthesizer and to provide the oscillator signal to the oscillator input of the frequency mixer. The programmable driver is configured to have a variable drive strength. The controller is configured to control the drive strength of the programmable driver based on a frequency of the oscillator signal to adjust a rise time and a fall time of the oscillator signal at the oscillator input of the frequency mixer.

An integrated amplifier device includes a main amplifier configured to be coupled to an input source. A replica amplifier is coupled to the main amplifier to provide a bias to the main amplifier. A transconductance biasing cell to the main amplifier and the replica amplifier. The transconductance biasing cell is configured to bias both the main amplifier and the replica amplifier. A method of making an integrated amplifier device is also disclosed.

A frequency multiplier, which may include multiple commutator cells, for multiplying an input signal is provided. A frequency doubler is provided that includes at least one transformer. Each of the at least one transformer includes a primary and a secondary. Each secondary includes a center tap. The frequency doubler further includes at least one commutator cell. Each of the at least one commutator cell includes a first differential pair of input terminals and a second differential pair of input terminals. Each primary is connected to the first pair of differential input terminals and each secondary is connected to the second differential pair of input terminals. The frequency doubler further includes at least one current source and at least one ground. The center tap is connected to the at least one ground via the at least one current source.

Systems and methods are disclosed for improved linearity performance of a mixer. An example mixer includes switching circuit elements configured to be switched on and switched off based at least partly on a local oscillator signal and capacitors including a respective capacitor in parallel with each of the switching elements. The mixer is configured to mix the input signal with the local oscillator signal to thereby frequency shift the input signal.

The disclosure relates to technology for shifting a frequency range of a signal. In one aspect, a circuit comprises a frequency mixer, a frequency synthesizer configured to generate an oscillator signal, a programmable driver, and a controller. The programmable driver is configured to receive the oscillator signal from the frequency synthesizer and to provide the oscillator signal to the oscillator input of the frequency mixer. The programmable driver is configured to have a variable drive strength. The controller is configured to control the drive strength of the programmable driver based on a frequency of the oscillator signal to adjust a rise time and a fall time of the oscillator signal at the oscillator input of the frequency mixer.

A mixer device is disclosed, which is fabricated as a bipolar-complementary metal oxide semiconductor (BiCMOS) integrated circuit device, to provide improved linearity and dynamic range, at higher operating frequencies. A mixer device configured according to an embodiment includes a driver circuit comprising bipolar junction transistors (BJTs) to convert a local oscillator signal to a high slew-rate gate drive signal. The driver circuit is configured as a quasi-complementary driver employing NPN BJTs. The mixer device further includes a mixer circuit comprising CMOS field-effect transistors (FETs) configured to mix an input signal with the gate drive signal to generate an output signal through the application of the gate drive signal to the gate port of the CMOS FETs. The mixer device further includes a voltage biasing circuit to provide a biased body voltage to the FETs to allow overdriving to a negative voltage relative to the body voltage.

An integrated amplifier device includes a main amplifier configured to be coupled to an input source. A replica amplifier is coupled to the main amplifier to provide a bias to the main amplifier. A transconductance biasing cell to the main amplifier and the replica amplifier. The transconductance biasing cell is configured to bias both the main amplifier and the replica amplifier. A method of making an integrated amplifier device is also disclosed.

Systems and methods are disclosed for improved linearity performance of a mixer. An example mixer includes switching circuit elements configured to be switched on and switched off based at least partly on a local oscillator signal and capacitors including a respective capacitor in parallel with each of the switching elements. The mixer is configured to mix the input signal with the local oscillator signal to thereby frequency shift the input signal.