LABORATORY #4

MESFET TRANSISTOR MIXER DESIGN

OBJECTIVES
1. To bias the Mixer circuit
2. To simulate Mixer frequency response using MicroCap software.
3. To measure the gain frequency response of the Mixer in the frequency range of 350kHz to
600kHz
4. To determine the upper and lower cut-off frequencies using the graphical method, and
calculate Q-factor of the Mixer.
5. To measure the input resistance of the Mixer.

INFORMATION
The supply voltage chosen for your radio receiver design is 9V:
You have to use the same power supply voltage as your Laboratory #1 – RF amplifier stage.

1. Introduction

Mixers are frequency translation devices. They allow the conversion of signals between a high
frequency (RF) and a lower Intermediate Frequency (IF) or baseband. In communications systems
the RF is the transmission frequency, which is converted to an IF to allow improved selectivity
(filtering) and an easier implementation of low noise and high gain amplification. The non-linear
behavior of a mixing device is used to perform the mixing function.

2. IF Resonance contour.

The Intermediate Frequency (IF) resonance contour of the Mixer determines the frequency
response and Q-factor of the entire circuit. The resonance frequency of the parallel L/C contour is
determined by the values of L and C according to the Equation 4.1. The resonance frequency of
the IF filter is supposed to be 455kHz.

1
0  2f0  LC Equation 4.1.

4-1
 C
1 2

Figure 4.1. Parallel L/C resonance contour

2.1. The inductor L=15uH is provided in your lab parts kit, so you need to calculate only the value
of the capacitor. In contrast to the RF filter, the tuning of the IF resonance contour could not be
done by adding a provided variable capacitor, because the total capacitance is expected to be in
the nF range and adding a 65pF capacitor wouldn’t make a difference. Calculate the total
capacitance and find the combination of appropriate fixed capacitors to build it.

2.2. Finding the effective bandwidth (at -3dB level) of the resonance circuit is shown in Figure
4.2.

-3dB

fo

f
Figure 4.2. Graphical calculation of the Q-factor

2.3. To calculate the Q-factor of this circuit use Equation 4.2.

f0
Q Equation 4.2.
f

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 3. MOSFET Transistor Mixer

3.1. The circuit diagram of the dual gate MOSFET Transistor Mixer is shown in Figure 4.3. The
3SK263 is an N-channel dual gate MOSFET transistor, and both gates can control the current
through the channel. One advantage this structure has is that the LO and RF signals are inherently
isolated. The active mixer has the advantage of providing the possibility of conversion gain rather
than loss and can also have lower noise figures than passive designs. The Mixer circuit diagram
shown in Figure 4.3 is almost identical to the RF amplifier circuit diagram with the only
difference that we are using both gates for an input signal. G1 is connected to the RF amplifier
stage and provides 10.00MHz input signal, while the second gate G2 is connected to the Local
Oscillator (LO) and provides 9.545MHz input signal to the Mixer.

Figure 4.3. The Mixer circuit diagram. Note: C4 will usually be two capacitors in Parallel.
This is useful information for the PCB design. Please leave space.

3.2. The main task of this lab experiment is to choose the biasing voltages at G1 and G2 in order
to obtain better mixing between the input signals. To achieve this requirement, we need to choose
the operating point of the Mixer at the non-linear part of the output characteristics of the
MOSFET. We will choose a Id current of around 6 mA.

3.3. We will be biasing the Dual Gate MOSFET to provide ID = 6 mA of current. To achieve this
the following values will be used in the resistor calculations:

Id= 6 mA VGS1= 1.6V

VDD= 9V VGS2=3.5V
VDS= 5V

Calculate the resistor R5 value at given Vds=5V.

VDS  V  I R  R 
DD D 5 L

4-3
Equation
4.3

4-4
- where RL is the resistance of the inductor, which you should measure.

3.4. Since the VG1S=1.6V and VG2S=3.5V, calculate the absolute value of the voltage VG1 and VG2
and corresponding biasing for resistor pairs R1/R2 and R3/R4 (Equations 4.4 and 4.5).

Tip: Choose some small value of the current (in a range of 100uA) through both biasing voltage
dividers.

VG1 R2
 Equation 4.4
Vdd R  R
1 2

VG 2 R4
 Equation 4.5
Vdd R  R
3 4

Show your calculations on the Lab Measurement Sheet.

EQUIPMENT
1. Digital Multimeter BK PRECISION 2831B
2. Digital oscilloscope Tektronix TDS 3012
3. Function Generator STANFORD DS345.
4. Construction breadboard
5. DC Power Supply

PRE-LABORATORY PREPARATION
The lab preparation must be completed before coming to the lab. Show it to your TA for
checking and grading at the beginning of the lab and get his/her signature.

1. IF resonance contour

1.1. Using the provided inductor L1=15uH, calculate the value of the total capacitance (C4) in
order to achieve the circuit resonance at f0=455kHz. Show your calculations in section 1 of
the Lab Measurements Sheet.

1.2. Simulate the circuit of Figure 4.6 in MicroCap. Using the MicroCap AC analysis function
print the gain frequency response for this circuit from 350kHz to 600kHz, find the (-3dB)
points and calculate the Q-factor of this circuit. Fill the results in Table 4.2. Bring these plots
with you to the lab session for comparing with the experimental data.

2. Mixer circuit

2.1. Calculate the biasing resistors R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5, using the explanations above. Show your
calculations in section 4 of the Lab Measurements Sheet.

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2.2. Simulate the Mixer circuit in MicroCap. For the MESFET transistor model use two JFET
transistors, MPF102 to represent the 3SK263 dual gate transistor, as it is shown in Figure
4.5.

Figure 4.5. RF amplifier MicroCap simulation.

2.3. Enter the calculated resistors values and check the DC biasing conditions of this circuit. Run
the Probe DC test and find the DC biasing voltages. Because of the different transistor model,
you might get DC values different (within 10-15%) than calculated. This is acceptable for the
simulation.
Hint: Use the voltage at node (1) as a reference (V S) to determine if the VG1S (2) and VG2S (8) are
set up properly.

2.4. Using the MicroCap Transient analysis function, print the output waveform waveform for
this circuit. Use time difference in one period to calculate the frequency. The frequency is the
key aspect in the mixer circuit. Use an amplitude of 4 for the OSC (9.545 MHz) input and 2.5
for the RF (10 MHz) input. Use the parameters: Time Range: 1M, # of pts: 1000, Max time
step: 0. Everything else can be left default. Print off a zoomed in portion of the output
waveform.

PROCEDURE
1. Tuning the resonance contour.

The IF resonance contour of the Mixer determines the frequency response and Q-factor of the
entire circuit. It is very important to perform this step carefully in order to achieve better final
results.
1.1. Build the resonance contour in Figure 4.6 on the breadboard using a combination of fixed
value capacitors from the laboratory component box, in order to achieve the desired total
capacitance for this resonant circuit, according to your calculations. Connect CH-1 of the
oscilloscope to point 2 and CH-2 – to point 1, as it is shown in Figure 4.6.

4-6
 CH-1 CH-2

Figure 4.6. IF Resonance contour test

1.2. For this test only, set the signal generator amplitude to 1 V and the frequency of 455kHz.
1.3. Tune the resonance circuit by adding or removing capacitors in parallel to C4, so you achieve
a maximum output voltage (as measured by CH-2) at f0=455kHz.
1.4. Once the circuit is tuned, vary the frequency of the input signal from 350kHz to 600kHz and
record the input and output voltages in Table 4.1 of the Lab Measurement sheet.
1.5. Calculate the gain and plot the gain frequency response on top of your MicroCap simulations
for this circuit. Find the effective bandwidth (at -3dB level) and calculate the Q-factor of this
circuit in your Lab Measurements Sheet. Fill the results in Table 4.2.
1.6.Show the circuit and the collected data to your TA, and get his/her signature to proceed with
the experiment.

2. DC biasing the Transistor Mixer.

2.1. Build the circuit in Figure 4.7 using the components values calculated in the pre-lab. Use
standard parts when building the amplifier. Avoid using multiple resistors to match the
specified values. Also, measure the actual value of the resistors using the multimeter.

Figure 4.7. DC biasing.

HINTS:
1. At this initial stage connect ONLY the components related to the DC biasing. This will make
your design easy to manage and modify.

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2. Initially connect the DC power supply directly to the transistor’s drain during the DC biasing
procedure in order to avoid damaging the inductor. Measure the DC voltages at G1, G2 and
Source.
In the example circuit, the VG1S = 1.6V and VG2S=3.5V, as it is desired.
3. If you don’t measure the correct DC voltages, check the resistors values and correct connection
of each of them to the circuit.
4. IMPORTANT: Do not skip this step! Move forward only after completing it successfully.

2.2. Initially, apply only DC power to the circuit and measure the amplifier's Q point using the
Digital multimeter. Measure the DC quiescent conditions. Make sure your circuit is biased
correctly, your measurements should deviate no more than 10% from the chosen values for Id
and VDS. If your values deviate more than that, adjust the resistance values, and provide an
explanation in your report. Record your measurements in Table 4.3.
2.3. Show the circuit and the collected data to your TA, and get his/her signature to proceed with
the experiment.

3. Measuring the voltage gain of the Mixer.

3.1. Connect the Mixer in an amplifier configuration, by connecting the C 2 capacitor to ground, as
it is shown in Figure 4.8. Connect the function generator (FG) to supply the input AC signal to the
G1 of the mixer transistor.
3.2. Connect CH-1 of the oscilloscope in parallel with the FG to measure the parameters of the
input signal Vin. Connect CH-2 of the oscilloscope in parallel with the load resistor RL to measure
the parameters of the output signal Vout.
3.3. Set and keep the input voltage level to Vin=100mV, as measured by the CH1 of the
oscilloscope. Starting from 350kHz , sweep the input frequency up to 600kHz.

C5
9V

L1 C4
R1 R3
C6

3 2
C1 10nF

4 1 Vout
10nF
R6
Vin 10k
R2
455kHz R4 R5
C2 C3
10nF 10nF

Figure 4.8. Measuring the voltage gain of the Mixer.

For each of the selected frequencies read the RMS voltage of Vin (CH-1) and Vout (CH-2) from
the oscilloscope display and record the data in Table 4.4 in the lab measurements sheet.
For each of the measurements, calculate the voltage gain in AV(db).
V
A (dB)  20 log out
V equation (4.6).
V in

4-8
3.4. Plot the obtained data on top of your MicroCap simulations. Do they agree? If there is a
difference, explain what could be the reason for it.
3.5. Find the effective bandwidth (at -3db level) and calculate the Q-factor of this circuit in your
lab measurements sheet. Fill the results in Table 4.2.
3.6. Show the circuit and the collected data to your TA, and get his/her signature to proceed with
the experiment.

4. AC measurements of the Transistor Mixer.

4.1. Connect the Mixer circuit, by connecting G1 to the 10.00MHz Signal Generator and G2 to the
9.545MHz Local Oscillator, as it is shown in Figure 4.5.
4.2. Connect CH-1 of the Oscilloscope in parallel with the load resistor RL to measure the output
signal Vout.
4.3. Set the input voltage level of the FG to Vin=1Vp-p, and make sure that the input voltage level
set by the LO is Vin=5Vp-p as measured by the CH-1 of the oscilloscope.
4.4. Starting from 8.5MHz, sweep the input frequency up to 10.5MHz. Maintain constant RF
input level and read the output frequency and voltage. Record the measurements in Table 4.5.
4.5.Show the circuit and the collected data to your TA, and get his/her signature to proceed with
the experiment.
4.6. Comment on the results of this experiment.

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 LAB MEASUREMENTS SHEET – LAB #4
MESFET TRANSISTOR MIXER DESIGN

Name
Student No
Workbench No

NOTE: Questions are related to observations, and must be answered as a part of the procedure
of this experiment.
Sections marked * are pre-lab preparation and must be completed BEFORE coming to the lab.

1. Calculate the value of the total capacitance (C4) in order to achieve the circuit resonance
at f0=455kHz*:

2. Frequency response of the IF resonance contour.

Table 4.1

IF contour alone
f [kHz] Vin [V] Vout[V] Av[dB]
350
370
390
410
430
440
450
455
460
470
490
510
530
550
570
600

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 3. Q-factor calculations for the resonance contour and Transistor Mixer*:

f1 [Hz] f2 [Hz] Q-factor

Table 4.2. Res. Contour PRELAB *
Res. Contour Measured

Compare and comment possible difference in calculated and measured Q-factor of the resonant
circuit.

4. Calculate the DC biasing resistors R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5*:

5. DC biasing measurements
Table 4.3.
VDD [V] VS [V] VGS1 [V] VGS2 [V] VG1 [V] VG2 [V] Id [mA]

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 6. Gain frequency response of the Transistor Mixer in amplifier mode.
Table 4.4

TR Mixer in Amplifier mode

f [kHz] Vin [V] Vout[V] Av[dB]
350
370
390
410
430
440
450
455
460
470
490
510
530
550
570
600

7. Frequency response of the Transistor Mixer.

.
Table 4.5
TRANSISTOR MIXER
f [MHz] fout [kHz] Vout [V]
8.500
8.800
9.000
9.100
9.200
9.300
9.400
9.500
9.545
9.600
9.700
9.800
9.900
10.000
10.100
10.200
10.500

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 MARKING SHEET TA name:
To be completed by TA during the lab session.
Check Max Granted TA Student Task
Boxes Marks Marks Signature
30 Pre-lab preparation

10 IF contour connected and data collected

20 TR Mixer DC biasing completed

10 TR Mixer gain measured

10 TR Mixer frequency response measured

10 Data collected and observations made

100 TOTAL

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