High-efficiency 20 watt S/C-band power amplifier MMIC

The design and performance of a two-stage MMIC (monolithic microwave integrated circuit) power amplifier that has established new benchmarks for power output, bandwidth, and efficiency are reported. The amplifier produces 22 W+or-1.4 dB from 3.0 to 6.0 GHz, with a maximum power output of 29 W, a minimum of 15 W, an associated power gain of 10 to 13.5 dB, and a power-added efficiency of 23% to 35%. The results rival the best narrowband results reported using multiple discrete MESFET cells in a hybrid MIC internally matched format. This excellent performance can be attributed to an accurate device model, a comprehensive design methodology, a robust matching circuit topology, and a high-yield/high-performance power MMIC processes.<>