This Product Selection Guide contains information to help select products in the RF Mixers category on DigiKey.com
RF mixers, or frequency mixers, are devices with three ports that are used to change the frequency of the two input signals. RF mixers are passive or active devices used for down converting or up converting signals. The characteristics are RF type, frequency, number of mixers, gain, noise figure, secondary attributes, current, and voltage. The frequency range is from 0 to 90 GHz with the number of mixers being 1, 2, 3, or 4.
SelectionCharacteristics
RF Type: Indicates the general application space or communications standard for which a device is intended for use.
Frequency: The frequency or frequencies this product is designed to be compatible.
Number of Mixers: enumerates the amount of times this feature can be counted in this product
Gain: Characterizes the ratio of output power to input power for a device, under manufacturer-defined test conditions.
Noise Figure: Characterizes SNR degradation caused by a component, given as the ratio (expressed in dB) between actual output noise power and portion thereof that is caused by the thermal noise of the input termination resistance at a standard temperature.
Secondary Attributes: Miscellanious attributes that help to better describe the abilities of a product but are not a standard attribute universal to this product family.
Current - Supply: This represents the maximum current to which a device will meet its given specifications. Exceeding this current may damage the device and/or other system components.
Voltage - Supply: Typically given in a range. It represents the low and high voltage limits considered safe for standard operation. Voltages outside this range may damage this device and/or other system components.
Mounting Type : How the device is attached.
Mounting Types
Chassis Mount
Designed to be mounted to a metal chassis.
Chassis Mount, 8" Wire Lead
Attaches to a metal chassis but it includes an 8" wire for connection.
Chassis, Stud Mount
Designed to be mounted to a metal Chassis using an incorporated stud bolt.
Screw Mount
Attaches using screw terminals.
Stud Mount
Has a stud bolt incorporated into one side for attachment.
Flange Mount
Screws or bolts go through wings (flanges) that protrude from the product.
Connector Mount
A mount that incorporates a connector into its method of attachment into the electrical system.
Surface Mount
Have pins or pads that connect to solder pads on the PCB that are then soldered in place forming an electrical and mechanical connection. Number in front of SMD indicates how many pins/pads, for example a 6-SMD module has 6 pins/pads. May not use or even have all the pins/pads for example 24-SMD module, 14 leads: would fit in the space of a 24-SMD module but only has 14 pins/pads. Typically, they are smaller than the through-hole components.
There are three basic types of pins (leads) for surface mount devices.
Lead Types
Gull wing leads: Enable the most pins per inch when compared to J-lead types but they are more fragile. Easy to inspect for defects after soldering.
J-Leads: Less pins per inch than gull wing leads but they are stronger and less susceptible to breakage.
Flat Leads:
Must be protectively packaged to prevent damage to leads. Leads must be formed into a gull shape prior to use with a separate piece of equipment. Due to that they are the least popular type of lead.
Package / Case: The protective case on an electronic component which allows for easy handling, installation, and protects the device. This is what we determined is the closest industry standard to the supplier device package. Typically, it is best to use the actual dimensions from the datasheet rather than to go by this terminology when designing your circuit.
Supplier Device Package: This is what the manufacturer calls the package of this device. They are manufacturer specific. It is typically best to use the actual dimensions from the datasheets rather than to go by this terminology when designing your circuit.
ProductExamples
| DigiKey Part Number | 505-LT5560EDD#PBF-ND | |
| Manufacturer | Analog Devices Inc. | |
| Manufacturer Product Number | LT5560EDD#PBF | |
| Description | IC MIXER 10KHZ-4GHZ UP/DWN 8DFN | |
| Datasheet | Click Here |
| DigiKey Part Number | MAX2671EUT+TTR-ND | |
| Manufacturer | Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated | |
| Manufacturer Product Numbe | MAX2671EUT+T | |
| Description | IC MIXR 400MHZ-2.5GHZ UP SOT23-6 | |
| Datasheet | Click Here |
| DigiKey Part Number | 1465-MD-160-PIN-ND | |
| Manufacturer | MACOM Technology Solutions | |
| Manufacturer Product Number | MD-160-PIN | |
| Description | MIXER,TB,RF,TIM | |
| Datasheet | Click Here |
| DigiKey Part Number | 1949-1041-ND | |
| Manufacturer | L3 Narda-MITEQ | |
| Manufacturer Product Number | IRM0208LC2Q | |
| Description | I&Q MIXER IMAGE REJECTION MIXER | |
| Datasheet | Click Here |
MediaLinks
Videos
Articles
- The Basics of Mixers
- Understanding the Mixers Role in an RF-receiver
- Passive Mixers in Downconverter Applications
- Difficult Design Challenges Solved Microwave Mixer
- Improve Multi-Mode MIMO Receiver Performance
Product Training Modules
- Improving RF Mixer Performance - Analog Devices
- Family of Mixers Overview - MACOM
- RF Spur Charts and Spur Tables - Analog Devices
- RF-IF Basics - NXP Semiconductor