2–8 GHz 8-W Power Amplifier MMIC Developed Using MSAG MESFET Technology

Design approach and test data for a two-octave bandwidth HPA developed using GaAs based multifunction self aligned gate metal semiconductor field effect transistor with multilevel plating monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) technology are presented. A low loss matching design technique was used in the development of a two-stage power amplifier. The broadband amplifier has exhibited 8 W power output and better than 16% PAE over the 2.0-8.0 GHz frequency range. To our knowledge, these results represent the state-of-the-art in output power for multi-octave S/C-band power MMIC amplifiers.     

An X-band high-efficiency MMIC power amplifier with 20-dBreturn losses

Describes the design principles and measured performance of an X-band high-efficiency monolithic-microwave-integrated-circuit (MMIC) power amplifier and discuss pertinent factors of the ion-implantation process. Also presented is a worst-case power prediction of the chip performance and a large-signal design using small-signal simulation. This balanced amplifier is fully monolithic with input and output return losses of better than 20 dB provided by Lange couplers. These return losses make it very convenient to cascade with other components. For high-efficiency operation, the drain voltage is 6 V. Across the 40% bandwidth from 8 to 12 GHz, the amplifier produces 1.6 to 2.1 W of output power at 33 to 40% power-added efficiency. For high-power operation, the drain voltage is 8.5 V. The amplifier can produce 2.4 to 2.8 W of output power at 26 to 29% power-added efficiency across the same 40% bandwidth     

A Ka-band 22 dBm GaN amplifier MMIC

A Ka-band GaN amplifier MMIC has been designed in CPW technology,and fabricated with a domestic GaN epitaxial wafer and process.This is,to the best of our knowledge,the first demonstration of domestic Kaband GaN amplifier MMICs.The single stage CPW MMIC utilizes an AlGaN/GaN HEMT with a gate-length of 0.25μm and a gate-width of 2×75μm.Under V_ds=10 V,continuous-wave operating conditions,the amplifier has a 1.5 GHz operating bandwidth.It exhibits a linear gain of 6.3 dB,a maximum output power of 22 dBm and a peak PAE of 9.5%at 26.5 GHz.The output power density of the AlGaN/GaN HEMT in the MMIC reaches 1 W/mm at Ka-band under the condition of V_ds=10 V.     

高效率X波段GaN MMIC功率放大器的研制

突破了GaN MMIC功率放大器的设计、制造、测试等关键技术,研制成功X波段GaN MMIC功率放大器。设计及优化了电路拓扑结构及电路参数,放大器芯片采用了国产外延材料及标准芯片制作工艺。单片功率放大器包含两级放大电路,采用了功率分配及合成匹配电路,输入输出阻抗均为50Ω。制作了微波测试载体及夹具,最终实现了X波段GaN MMIC功率放大器微波参数测试。在8.7～10.9 GHz频率范围内,该功率放大器输出功率大于16 W,功率增益大于14 dB,增益波动小于0.4 dB,输入驻波比小于2∶1,功率附加效率大于40%,带内效率最高达52%。     

A Cool, Sub-0.2 dB Noise Figure GaN HEMT Power Amplifier With 2-Watt Output Power

This paper reports on a S-, C-band low-noise power amplifier (LNPA) which achieves a sub-0.2 dB noise figure (NF) over a multi-octave band and a saturated output power (Psat) of 2 W at a cool temperature of -30degC . The GaN MMIC is based on a 0.2 mum AlGaN/GaN-SiC HEMT technology with an f_T ~ 75 GHz. At a cool temperature of -30degC and a power bias of 15 V-400 mA, the MMIC achieves 0.25-0.45 dB average NF over a 2-8 GHz band and a linear P_1dB of 32.8 dBm ( ~ 2 W) with 25% power-added efficiency (PAE). At a medium bias of 12 V-200 mA, the amplifier achieves 0.1-0.2 dB average NF across the same band and a P_1dB of 32.2 dBm (1.66 W) with 35% PAE. The corresponding saturated output power is greater than 2 W. At a low noise bias of 5 V-200 mA, a remarkable 0.05-0.15 dB average NF is achieved with a P_1dB > 24 dBm and PAE ~ 33%. These results are believed to be the lowest NF ever reported for a multi-octave fully matched MMIC amplifier capable of > 2 W of output power.     

Ku-Band Power Amplifier MMIC Chipset with On-Chip Active Gate Bias Circuit

We propose a Ku-band driver and high-power amplifier monolithic microwave integrated circuits (MMICs) employing a compensating gate bias circuit using a commercial 0.5 μm GaAs pHEMT technology. The integrated gate bias circuit provides compensation for the threshold voltage and temperature variations as well as independence of the supply voltage variations. A fabricated two-stage Ku-band driver amplifier MMIC exhibits a typical output power of 30.5 dBm and power-added efficiency (PAE) of 37% over a 13.5 GHz to 15.0 GHz frequency band, while a fabricated three-stage Ku-band high-power amplifier MMIC exhibits a maximum saturated output power of 39.25 dBm (8.4 W) and PAE of 22.7% at 14.5 GHz.     

An X-Band High-Power and High-PAE PHEMT MMIC Power Amplifier for Pulse and CW Operation

An X-band high-power and high power added efficiency (PAE), two-stage AlGaAs/InGaAs/GaAs psuedomorphic high electronic mobility transistor (PHEMT) monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) power amplifier is presented. The amplifier is designed to fully match a 50 Omega input and output impedance. Based on a 0.35 mum gate-length power PHEMT technology, the MMIC is fabricated on a 3 mil thick wafer. Under an 8 V DC bias condition, the characteristics of 17.5 dB small-signal gain, 10 W continuous wave mode saturation output power of 42% PAE, and 12.6 W pulse saturation output power of 52.6% PAE at 9.4 GHz can be achieved.     

Broad-band high-power amplifier using spatial power-combining technique

High power, broad bandwidth, high linearity, and low noise are among the most important features in amplifier design. The broad-band spatial power-combining technique addresses all these issues by combining the output power of a large quantity of microwave monolithic integrated circuit (MMIC) amplifiers in a broad-band coaxial waveguide environment, while maintaining good linearity and improving phase noise of the MMIC amplifiers. A coaxial waveguide was used as the host of the combining circuits for broader bandwidth and better uniformity by equally distributing the input power to each element. A new compact coaxial combiner with much smaller size is investigated. Broad-band slotline to microstrip-line transition is integrated for better compatibility with commercial MMIC amplifiers. Thermal simulations are performed and an improved thermal management scheme over previous designs is employed to improve the heat sinking in high-power application. A high-power amplifier using the compact combiner design is built and demonstrated to have a bandwidth from 6 to 17 GHz with 44-W maximum output power. Linearity measurement has shown a high third-order intercept point of 52 dBm. Analysis shows the amplifier has the ability to extend spurious-free dynamic range by N/sup 2/3/ times. The amplifier also has shown a residual phase floor close to -140 dBc at 10-kHz offset from the carrier with 5-6-dB reductions compared to a single MMIC amplifier it integrates.     

0.1-42 GHz InP DHBT distributed amplifiers with 35 dB gain and 15 dBm output

An InP double hetero-junction bipolar transistor (DHBT) distributed power amplifier MMIC with 35 dB gain, 42 GHz bandwidth and 15 dBm output power is reported. This represents the highest power and largest gain reported over this bandwidth from a single chip HBT amplifier. A lumped preamplifier with a novel distributed output is used to obtain high gain and wide bandwidth at these power levels.     

S波段35W GaN功率MMIC

报道了一款采用两级拓扑结构的2～4 GHz宽带高功率单片微波功率放大器芯片.放大器采用了微带结构,并使用电抗匹配进行设计,重点在于宽带功率效率平坦化设计.经匹配优化后放大器在2～4 GHz整个频带内脉冲输出功率大于35 W,小信号增益达到22 dB,在2.4 GHz频点处峰值输出功率达到40 W,对应的功率附加效率为3...     

Ku频段微波宽频带固态功率放大器

本文对用微波宽带功率单片集成电路的功率合成技术和实现方法进行了讨论,并用 Ku 波段宽带微波功率单片集成电路合成出功率大于 200W、频带宽度大于 30%Ku 波段固态放大器。对合成中的关键技术进行了分析。     

Ku波段宽带氮化镓功率放大器MMIC

基于0.25μm栅长GaN HEMT工艺,采用三级放大拓扑结构设计了一款Ku波段GaN功率放大器.放大器设计从建立大信号模型出发,输出匹配网络和级间匹配网络均采用电抗匹配减小电路的损耗,从而提高整体放大器的功率效率.测试结果表明,该放大器在14.6~18GHz频带内,小信号增益30dB,脉冲饱和输出功率达15W,功率附加效率(PAE)大于32%;在14.8GHz频点处,放大器的峰值功率达19.5W,PAE达39%.该结果表明GaN MMIC具有高频高功率高效率的优势,具有广阔的应用前景.     

工作在1.8-3 GHz内的高效率GaAs pHEMT功率单片

本文报道了一款基于南京电子器件研究所GaAs pHEMT单片集成电路工艺的S波段宽带高效率功率放大器。为了提高芯片效率,该放大器采用驱动比为1:8的两级级联方式,并采用低通/高通滤波器相结合的拓扑结构设计每级的匹配电路。这种匹配电路在有效降低芯片面积的同时,在较宽的频带范围内实现对应于高效率的阻抗匹配。在5V漏压AB类偏置条件下,该功率放大器在1.8到3GHz频率范围内连续波输出饱和功率为33~34 dBm,相应的附加效率达到35%~45%,以及非常平坦的功率增益25~26 dB。芯片面积紧凑,尺寸仅为2.7mm×2.75mm。     

86.5GHz下输出功率257mW的 W波段GaN MMIC放大器

我们报道了一个三级W波段GaN MMIC功率放大器。考虑到W波段MMIC的耦合效应,所有的匹配电路和偏置电路都是先进行电路仿真以后,再用3D电磁场仿真软件进行系统的仿真。此MMIC功率放大器在频率为86.5GHz下输出功率能达到257mW,相应的功率附加效率(PAE)为5.4%,相应的功率增益为6.1dB。功率密度为459 mW/mm。另外,此MMIC功率放大器在83 GHz到90 GHz带宽下有100mW以上的输出功率。以上特性都是在漏极电压为12V时测试得到。     

A Ku band four-stage PHEMT 1W MMIC power amplifier

A successful development of a very high performance and reliable power PHEMT MMIC technology is reported. In this paper, a Ku-Band 1 W AlGaAs/InGaAs/GaAs PHEMT MMIC power amplifier for VSAT ODU application is demonstrated. This four-stage amplifier is designed to fully match for a 50 Ω input and output impedance. With 7 V and 700 mA DC bias condition, the amplifier has achieved 30 dB small-signal gain, 30.8 dBm 1-dB gain compression power with 24.5% power-added efficiency (PAE) and 31.3 dBm saturation power with 27.5% PAE from 14 to 17 GHz.     

Broad-band MMICs based on modified loss-compensation method using 0.35-/spl mu/m SiGe BiCMOS technology

Using the concept of loss compensation, novel broad-band monolithic microwave integrated circuits (MMICs), including an amplifier and an analog multiplier/mixer, with LC ladder matching networks in a commercial 0.35-mum SiGe BiCMOS technology are demonstrated for the first time. An HBT two-stage cascade single-stage distributed amplifier (2-CSSDA) using the modified loss-compensation technique is presented. It demonstrates a small-signal gain of better than 15 dB from dc to 28 GHz (gain-bandwidth product=157 GHz) with a low power consumption of 48 mW and a miniature chip size of 0.63 mm² including testing pads. The gain-bandwidth product of the modified loss-compensated CSSDA is improved approximately 68% compared with the conventional attenuation-compensation technique. The wide-band amplifier achieves a high gain-bandwidth product with the lowest power consumption and smallest chip size. The broad-band mixer designed using a Gilbert cell with the modified loss-compensation technique achieves a measured power conversion gain of 19 dB with a 3-dB bandwidth from 0.1 to 23 GHz, which is the highest gain-bandwidth product of operation among previously reported MMIC mixers. As an analog multiplier, the measured sensitivity is better than 3000 V/W from 0.1 to 25 GHz, and the measured low-frequency noise floor and corner frequency can be estimated to be 20 nV/sqrt(Hz) and 1.2 kHz, respectively. The mixer performance represents state-of-the-art result of the MMIC broad-band mixers using commercial silicon-based technologies     

2～6GHz单片功率放大器

报道了有耗匹配宽带单片功率放大器的研究方法和结果。该两级单片功放电路采用自建的 Root非线性模型进行了谐波平衡分析。在 2 .0～ 6.7GHz频带上线性增益为 17d B,平坦度为± 0 .75d B,输入和输出驻波分别小于 2。全频带上 ,饱和输出功率为 1～ 1.4 W,功率附加效率大于2 0 %。该宽带单片功率放大器在 76mm Ga As单片 MMIC工艺线上用全离子注入、0 .5μm栅长工艺研制完成 ,电路芯片面积为 0 .1mm× 2 .6mm× 2 .7mm。     

全离子注入C波段功率单片放大器及内匹配功率单片放大器

报道了全平面C波段功率单片放大器及四单片合成放大器研究结果。单片放大器采用全离子注入工艺，均匀性好，平均成品率40％，可靠性高。工作频率4．7—5．2GHZ，中心频率5．0GHz处输出功率2．5W，增益15dB，功率附加效率31．5％。单片放大器芯片面积2．8mm×2．0mm，四路合成的4×MMIC频率范围不变，中心频率4．95GHz处输出功率8．2W，增益13dB，功率附加效率26％，四路合成效率接近80％。实验结果与理论预测基本吻合。     

A Compact 6.5-W PHEMT MMIC Power Amplifier for Ku-Band Applications

A compact 6.5-W AlGaAs/InGaAs/GaAs PHEMT monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) power amplifier (PA) for Ku-band applications is proposed. This two-stage amplifier with chip size of 8.554mm² (3.64mmtimes2.35mm) is designed to fully match 50-Omega input and output impedance. Under 8V and 2000mA dc bias condition, the PA deliver 38.1dBm (6.5W) saturated output power, 10.5-dB small signal gain and peak power added efficiency of 24.6% from 13.6 to 14.2GHz. This MMIC also achieved the best power densities (760mW/mm²) at Ku band reported to date     

A new "active" predistorter with high gain and programmable gain and phase characteristics using cascode-FET structures

A MMIC-compatible miniaturized "active" predistorter using cascode FET structures is presented. The predistorter has added functionality of gain, as well as programmable gain and phase variation characteristics, which are required to compensate or the nonlinear distortion of a wide range of power amplifiers (PAs). Thanks to the inherent gain of the predistorter, a need for an additional buffer amplifier is eliminated. Furthermore, it can eventually replace the first-stage amplifier in the multistage PAs, making this approach well suited to MMIC implementation. A simple analysis is performed to understand the phase variation mechanisms in the proposed predistorter and to identify the dominant sources of phase variation. To demonstrate the general usefulness of this predistorter, the cascode predistorter was applied to linearize watt-level MMIC amplifiers for CDMA handset applications, as well as 30 W high power amplifiers for base-station applications. Adjacent channel power ratio (ACPR) improvement of 3-5 dB was achieved with off-chip predistorter when applied to 0.9 W monolithic amplifiers. The predistorter was also integrated with a 1.6 W MMIC PA on a single chip, replacing the first-stage transistor of the amplifier.