Power and linearity performance of a cascode InGaP/GaAs HBT distributed amplifier for instrument applications

This paper describes the performance of a cascode InGaP/GaAs HBT distributed amplifier for instrument applications. In particular, the linearity of the distributed amplifier is considered. The compression point, the second and third harmonics, and the third order intercept point have been measured over different bias conditions. At nominal bias, the amplifier delivers a P1dB of 20 dBm and a TOI of 30 dBm up to 20 GHz. This amplifier can achieve simultaneously some of the best results published in the literature.