Mixers

Mixer is an indispensable component in electronic communication system, and it is the frontend circuit of heterodyne receiver and microwave measuring instrument, which is used in microwave communication, radar, and many microwave measurement systems. With the development of optical communication, optical mixing devices in coherent optical communication also play an important role in coherent receiving terminals and optical measurement systems. Starting with the electric mixer, this paper describes the working principle and development status of the optical mixer and the terahertz mixer and briefly introduces the work of Xi’an University of Technology in the field of optical mixer. Finally, the future development trend and prospect of the mixer are prospected.