Broadband Hammerstein-Wiener Mixer Modeling extracted by Large-Signal Vector Measurements

The paper extends the Hammerstein-Wiener (HW) modeling approach to microwave mixers operating in nonlinear regime. The HW mixer model is extracted from large-signal vector measurements and validated in large-signal operation for both up- and down-conversion across a wide bandwidth. The model assumes for its linear block the mixer conversion matrix, and is capable of predicting the performance of the converted signals and the main mixing products, within an a priori defined broad-bandwidth. The mixer model is provided as a function of a priori defined LO level, while reproduces the nonlinear effects due to the IF-RF amplitude. This paper gives a detailed model analytical treatment, along with a discussion of the characterization method and features. The independent validation considers a commercial passive mixer that operates with a 3 GHz LO, and IF-RF input signals at different power levels up to compression, across 200–800 MHz of bandwidth. The model accuracy, measured by the NMSE, is better than -31.8 dB across bandwidth and power levels.