Image reject mixers

Recall that the image problem for downconverting mixers is not fully solved by the use
of preselection filtering. Filters do not have adequate rejection and require extra space
and power. Recall that an image signal often comes from an out-of-band source which
may be another transmitter or might be due to a spurious signal generated in the receiver
itself.

freq
IF R L IM

freq
IF IM L R

A widely used alternative is to employ phase cancellation to reject images. To the extent
that accurate phase and amplitude matching can be obtained, very high image reject ratios
can be obtained. IRR is defined in the equation below:

PIMAGE
IRR = 10 log
PRF
The image rejection process is incorporated into the mixer through the use of in-phase
and quadrature signals. To understand how this process works, we must begin with a
brief review of quadrature signals. For a good exposition of quadrature signals and
image rejection, follow the link, download and read:
Quadrature Signals: Complex, But Not Complicated, by Richard Lyons.
http://www.dspguru.com/info/tutor/quadsig.htm

Next, let’s quickly review quadrature signals and then apply to analog IR mixers.
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