Set of X-band distributed absorptive limiter GaAs MMICs

A set of X-band absorptive limiter GaAs MMICs has been designed and realised using both the PPH25x foundry process from UMS and the PP50-10 process from WIN semiconductors. The innovative limiter concepts have been extensively characterised by both pulsed and CW measurements. Both passive and active topologies have been implemented. The passive limiter design has a typical small-signal insertion loss of 1.5 dB at 10 GHz, and it can withstand (absorb) up to 4 Watts (36 dBm) of CW power without degradation or damage, while keeping the output power level below 100 mW (20 dBm). The active limiter handles up to 10 Watts of CW input power, at the cost of higher small-signal insertion loss. For all designs the input reflection remains low for any input power level. The used GaAs surface ranges from 2 to 3 mm² .