Low cost miniaturized EHF SATCOM transceiver featuring HEMT MMICs and LTCC multilayer packaging

The authors present a 20 GHz downconverter and a 44 GHz upconverter for a low cost miniaturized transceiver for EHF SATCOM terminal applications. The hardware features a set of passivated pseudomorphic InGaAs HEMT MMICs including a 20 GHz balanced low noise amplifier and a 44 GHz 100 mW driver amplifier. The upconverter input and the LO input of the downconverter feature built-in-test (BIT) with on-chip detectors. The downconverter is packaged in a low temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) substrate, with integrated RF and DC interconnects, printed resistors, and a buried stripline IF filter.<>