Mixer fabrication technique and system using the same

A multilayer fabrication method for a microwave mixer, comprising:

• sequentially forming a first metal layer, a substrate, and a second metal layer;
• patterning the substrate and first and second metal layers to form at least one interconnect that electrically contacts the first and second metal layers;
• patterning at least two passive circuits on the second metal layer of the substrate;
• patterning the second metal layer of the substrate to expose one or more portions of the substrate;
• forming a thin dielectric layer on the patterned second metal layer of the substrate, wherein the thin dielectric layer directly contacts the second metal layer and the exposed portion of the substrate;
• processing the thin dielectric layer to form dielectric vias;
• forming a top layer metal directly on the thin dielectric layer, wherein the top layer metal is connected to the first and second metal layers of the substrate by the dielectric vias formed in the thin dielectric layer;
• patterning the top layer metal and a portion of the thin dielectric layer to form the top layer metal of the passive circuits and to expose the substrate;
• attaching an integrated circuit (IC) to the second metal layer of the substrate for the microwave mixer, wherein the IC includes at least one combination of non-linear devices, and wherein the IC is directly connected to the passive circuits on the second metal layer of the substrate;
• and
• forming a protection layer on the IC.