Patent ID: 7107025

Claim:
A high gain, highly linear mixer comprises: an input section operably coupled to receive an input voltage signal, wherein the input section provides a linear transconductance of the input voltage signal to produce an input current signal, the input section further includes: first transistor having a gate, a drain, and a source, wherein the gate of the first transistor is operably coupled to receive a positive leg of the input voltage signal; second transistor having a gate, a drain, and a source, wherein the gate of the second transistor is operably coupled to receive a negative leg of the input voltage signal; first current source for sinking a first current, wherein the first current source is coupled to the source of the first transistor; second current source for sinking a second current, wherein the second current source is coupled to the source of the second transistor; and resistor operably coupled to the sources of the first and second transistors, wherein the resistor establishes an output reference voltage for the high gain, highly linear mixer; mixing section operably coupled to the drains of the first and second transistors to mix a local oscillation with the input current signal to produce a mixed current signal; at least one tuning component operably coupled to the mixing section, wherein the at least one tuning component converts the mixed current signal into a mixed voltage signal; and at least one standby current source operably coupled to the mixing section, wherein the at least one standby current source provides a standby current to the mixing section such that switching current of the mixing section is reduced thereby improving gain of the high gain, highly linear mixer.