GXSC Broadband Mixer Replaces LTC5552/LTC5553 in Pulsed Radar Applications

Pulsed radar is a radar system that uses short-pulse electromagnetic waves for detection. It calculates target distance by measuring the time difference between pulse transmission and reception, while simultaneously analyzing target radial velocity using Doppler frequency. A typical radar system comprises a transmitter, antenna, receiver, data processing unit, timing control, and display equipment.

The RF front-end frequency conversion unit must perform up/down conversion of high-frequency microwave pulse signals to meet the precision detection requirements of pulsed radar. Traditional broadband mixers often use the LTC5552/LTC5553 in RF transceiver systems. GXSC‘s 3GHz–20GHz passive double-balanced broadband mixer can serve as a pin-to-pin replacement for the LTC5552/LTC5553, with fully compatible performance. Covering the C, X, and Ku mainstream pulsed radar bands, the GXSC broadband mixer is an ideal choice for the RF front-end frequency conversion unit in next-generation high-precision, high-reliability pulsed radar systems.

The GXSC broadband mixer is compatible with 3GHz–20GHz band detection and supports both upconversion and downconversion, making it suitable for applications such as phased-array radar, early-warning radar, and weather radar. The chip integrates an internal RF balun and LO amplification chain, supporting an LO operating frequency of 1–20GHz with a typical LO drive power of only 0dBm. The chip also integrates an IF balun and supports a single-ended 50Ω IF operating frequency of 0.5–9GHz.

Key performance specifications of the GXSC broadband mixer chip:

RF operating bandwidth: 3–20GHz

LO operating bandwidth: 1–20GHz

IF operating bandwidth: DC–6GHz

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

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

Downconversion IIP3: 27dBm (typical)

Upconversion IIP3: 23dBm (typical)

Downconversion loss: 10 dB (typical)

Upconversion loss: 8 dB (typical)

Required LO power: 0dBm (typical)

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

Chip size: 3mm × 2mm

Operating temperature range: –40°C to +125°C