High linearity frequency conversion system and method

摘要

A frequency converter ( 100 ) is provided, comprising: a pulse generator ( 150 ) configured to receive a balanced local oscillator signal pair and to generate a balanced rectangular pulse signal pair having the reference frequency; and a mixer ( 160 ) configured to mix an input signal having an input frequency with the balanced rectangular pulse signal pair to generate an output signal having an output frequency. The input frequency is different from the output frequency, and the pulse generator and the mixer are formed on a single integrated circuit ( 120 ). The frequency converter may comprise a balanced local oscillator ( 110 ) configured to generate the balanced local oscillator signal pair. The balanced local oscillator may comprise: an unbalanced local oscillator ( 130 ) configured to provide an unbalanced local oscillator signal having the reference frequency; and a balun ( 140 ) configured to generate the balanced local oscillator signal pair based on the unbalanced local oscillator signal.