Abstract

A mixer including a "reflection" transmission line transformer having at least first and second ports. The ports are connected such that nearly complete coupling of energy between the ports relies on substantially complete reflection of energy at a reference plane of the transformer. In a preferred implementation there is produced at the first port an intermediate frequency (IF) signal and received a DC bias signal via an IF balun. At the second port there is inputted a radio frequency (RF) signal through an RF balun.The DC bias signal will preferably be provided to a set of phase-selecting GaAs MESFET transistors operatively connected between an LO balun and a third port of the reflection transformer. In the preferred implementation the MESFET transistors are realized using an MMIC.