A high power and high efficiency monolithic power amplifier for local multipoint distribution service

A high power and high efficiency monolithic power amplifier operating from 27.5 to 29.5 GHz is presented for local multipoint distribution service (LMDS). Using 0.15 /spl mu/m InGaAs-AlGaAs-GaAs pseudomorphic HEMT (PHEMT) devices, the two stage power amplifier on 4 mil GaAs substrate demonstrated greater than 16 dB small signal gain, 32 dBm (1.6 watts) power with 35% power-added-efficiency. The amplifier attained peak output power of 33.9 dBm (2.4 watts) and peak power-added efficiency of 37%. At the peak power level, the amplifier exhibited power densities in excess of 640 mw/mm which is the highest output power density attained by Ka-band monolithic power amplifiers.