GXSC Broadband Mixer Replaces LTC5552/LTC5553 for Automotive Lidar Applications

Lidar calculates target distance and azimuth by emitting near-infrared laser pulses and receiving reflected echoes, providing critical environmental information for autonomous driving systems. Its performance advantages significantly surpass pure vision solutions, especially in challenging scenarios like low light, rain, and fog, making it an indispensable sensor for advanced autonomous driving. The precise sensing capability of LiDAR relies on high-performance signal processing chips.

GXSC has introduced a passive dual-balanced broadband mixer ideally suited for automotive LiDAR. Its outstanding RF performance, wide-band adaptability, and automotive-grade reliability perfectly match the signal reception link requirements of automotive LiDAR, effectively addressing technical challenges such as long-range detection, weak signal extraction, and anti-interference capabilities.

GXSC‘s broadband mixer supports detection across the 3GHz to 20GHz frequency band, enabling both up-conversion and down-conversion applications. It is suitable for phased array radar, early warning radar, weather radar, and other fields. This broadband mixer integrates an internal RF balun and LO amplification chain, supporting local oscillator (LO) operating frequencies from 1 to 20GHz with typical LO power requirements as low as 0dBm. The chip also integrates an IF balun, supporting single-ended 50-ohm IF operating frequencies from 0.5 to 9 GHz.

In radar systems, strong interference signals coexist with weak target signals. The mixer must maintain high linearity to prevent signal distortion. The GXSC broadband mixer delivers exceptional linearity (input P-1dB and IIP3) and integration. Even in complex electromagnetic environments, the chip accurately processes signals of varying intensities, preventing the generation of additional spurious signals that could compromise the system‘s detection and identification of target signals.

Key Performance Indicators for the GXSC Broadband Mixer:

RF Operating Bandwidth: 3–20 GHz

LO Operating Bandwidth: 1–20 GHz

 IF operating bandwidth: DC~6GHz

Downconverter input P-1dB: 16dBm (typical)

Upconverter input P-1dB: 13dBm (typical)

Downconverter IIP3: 27dBm (typical)

Upconverter IIP3: 23dBm (typical)

 Downconversion Loss: 10 dB (typical)

Upconversion Loss: 8 dB (typical)

Required LO Power: 0 dBm (typical)

Voltage/Current: 3.3V/146mA (typical)

Chip Size: 3mm × 2mm

Operating Temperature Range: -40°C to 125°C