Figure 1. This MMIC contains three InP amplifier stages plus coplanar waveguide transmission lines for input and output impedance matching and DC biasing.
Three-stage monolithic millimeter-wave integrated-circuit (MMIC) amplifiers capable of providing useful amounts of gain over the frequency range from 120 to 180 GHz have been developed as prototype low-noise amplifiers (LNAs) to be incorporated into instruments for sensing cosmic microwave background radiation. There are also potential uses for such LNAs in electronic test equipment, passive millimeter-wave imaging systems, radar receivers, communication receivers, and systems for detecting hidden weapons. The main advantage afforded by these MMIC LNAs, relative to prior MMIC LNAs, is that their coverage of the 120-to-180-GHz frequency band makes them suitable for reuse in a wider variety of applications without need to redesign them. Each of these MMIC amplifiers includes InP transistors and coplanar waveguide circuitry on a 50-μm-thick chip (see Figure 1). Coplanar waveguide transmission lines are used for both applying DC bias and matching of input and output impedances of each transistor stage. Via holes are incorporated between top and bottom ground planes to suppress propagation of electromagnetic modes in the substrate.

Figure 2. The Measured Gain of an amplifier like that shown in Figure 1 was found to exceed 10 dB over most of the frequency range from 120 to 180 GHz. The discontinuity in the plot at 140 GHz is an artifact of switching, at that frequency, between two waveguide bands of the instrumentation used to measure the gain.
On the basis of computational simulations, each of these amplifiers was expected to operate with a small-signal gain of 14 dB and a noise figure of 4.3 dB. At the time of writing this article, measurements of noise figures had not been reported, but on-chip measurements had shown gains approaching their simulated values (see Figure 2).

This work was done by David Pukala, Lorene Samoska, and Alejandro Peralta of Caltech and Brian Bayuk, Ron Grundbacher, Patricia Oliver, Abdullah Cavus, and Po-Hsin Liu of Northrop Grumman Corporation for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. NPO-42783

Topics:
Amplifiers Computer simulation Electric power grid Electronic equipment Hazardous materials Hazards and emergency operations Radar Radiation Semiconductors & ICs Simulation and modeling Transistors
This Brief includes a Technical Support Package (TSP).
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Low-Noise MMIC Amplifiers for 120 to 180 GHz

(reference NPO-42783) is currently available for download from the TSP library.

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NASA Tech Briefs Magazine

This article first appeared in the October, 2009 issue of NASA Tech Briefs Magazine (Vol. 33 No. 10).

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Overview

The document is a Technical Support Package from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) concerning Low-Noise MMIC (Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit) Amplifiers designed for operation in the frequency range of 120 to 180 GHz. It is identified by the NASA Tech Briefs number NPO-42783 and is part of the Commercial Technology Program aimed at disseminating aerospace-related technological advancements with broader applications.

The document outlines the development and performance characteristics of these low-noise amplifiers, which are critical components in various high-frequency applications, including telecommunications, radar systems, and space exploration. The amplifiers are fabricated using advanced InP (Indium Phosphide) technology, specifically utilizing 70 nm HEMT (High Electron Mobility Transistor) devices, which are known for their superior performance at microwave frequencies.

Key features of the amplifiers include their low noise figure, which is essential for maintaining signal integrity in high-frequency applications. The document also discusses the measurement and simulation data associated with these devices, indicating that the data is categorized into three types: ADS (Advanced Design System) simulations, measured in-module data, and on-wafer measurements. This comprehensive approach ensures that the performance of the amplifiers is thoroughly validated through both theoretical and practical means.

The document emphasizes the importance of these amplifiers in enhancing the capabilities of various systems, particularly in aerospace and defense sectors. It also provides contact information for further inquiries, directing interested parties to the Innovative Technology Assets Management office at JPL for additional resources and support.

Overall, this Technical Support Package serves as a valuable resource for understanding the advancements in low-noise amplifier technology, showcasing NASA's commitment to innovation and collaboration in the field of aerospace technology. It highlights the potential applications of these amplifiers and encourages further exploration and utilization of the research findings presented.