Abstract: A monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) semiconductor chip, for use with a hybrid coupler, in a frequency downconverter. The chip has a first input lead for receiving a first combined input signal from the coupler, a second input lead for receiving a second combined input signal from the coupler, and an output lead. Each input signal is a microwave signal combined with a further frequency signal, and one of the microwave and further frequency signals of the first combined signal is out of phase with one of the microwave and further frequency signals of the second combined signal. A single balanced mixer has a first single ended mixer for converting the first combined signal to a first intermediate frequency signal and a second single ended mixer for converting the second combined signal to a second intermediate frequency signal.

Abstract: A high efficiency multiple power level amplifier circuit for reducing power consumption during low power operations. A plurality of power amplifier stages are cascaded to provide multiple levels of amplification. At least one power amplification stage includes a signal switching network to allow one or any combination of power amplifiers to be switched out when lower power operations are desired. The switched out power amplifiers are biased such that substantially no current is drawn from the power source.