Mixer architectures

A method for mixing a single-ended first signal with a differential second signal to generate a differential output signal, the method comprising:

• coupling the first signal to a first input of a single-ended portion comprising a first transistor pair;
• coupling the differential second signal to the gate inputs of the first transistor pair;
• coupling the first transistor pair to the differential output signal;
• and
• coupling a dummy load terminal to a first input of a dummy portion comprising a second transistor pair, the second transistor pair matched to the first transistor pair;
• coupling the differential second signal to the gate inputs of the second transistor pair;
• coupling the second transistor pair to the differential output signal.

A computer program product storing code for causing a computer to select a bias voltage for a mixer, the code comprising:

• code for causing a computer to bias the transistors of a mixer at nominal values, the mixer comprising a single-balanced portion and a dummy portion;
• code for causing a computer to set the configurable bias voltage at a candidate value;
• code for causing a computer to measure a symmetry metric at the differential output signal;
• code for causing a computer to check whether the symmetry metric meets predetermined criteria;
• code for causing a computer to, if the symmetry metric meets predetermined criteria, set the configurable bias voltage at the candidate value corresponding to the symmetry metric meeting the predetermined criteria;
• and
• code for causing a computer to, if the symmetry metric does not meet predetermined criteria, set the configurable bias voltage at a new candidate value.