Variable gain mixer having improved linearity and lower switching noise

A mixer section is combined with a post-mixer linearizer to counteract the nonlinear transconductance characteristics of the RF input section of the mixer thereby increasing the overall linear response of the mixer. The post-mixer linearizer has a response that is increasingly non-linear outside the non-linear operating range of the RF input section. This non-linear response compensates for the decreasingly non-linear response of the RF input section. Current mirrors in the post-mixer linearizer increase the rail-to-rail headroom of the mixer while maintaining high gain. An input driver is coupled to the mixer that provides quick switching transitions in the mixer to reduce noise effects. The mixer also includes a gain control circuit that provides linear-in-decibel gain control.