A GaAs MMIC PIN diode receiver protector with switchable attenuator

Design and performance of a unique X-band GaAs MMIC PIN diode receiver protector (RP) with switchable attenuator is described with a maximum average and peak leakage levels of 17 dBm and 20 dBm respectively. The fast acting 8 diode RP requires no external biasing and exhibits a recovery time of 50 ns. The MMIC includes a switchable 13 dB attenuator after the RP. Two RP/attenuator circuits for balanced operation are included in a 120 by 150 by 6 mil MMIC which exhibits only 0.55 to 0.7 dB loss, and a return loss of 15 to 30 dB over an octave bandwidth.