Ka-band MMIC Variable Gain Low Noise Amplifier for Electronic Scanning Antenna

This article presents research activities for the development of Ka-band electronic scanning antenna array for SATCOM applications. The full system is composed of two antennas: a receive antenna (Rx) and a transmit antenna (Tx). This document is focused on the receive architecture and in particular on the design of a new topology for MMIC Variable Gain Low Noise Amplifier (VGLNA). The proposed LNA topology is composed of 2 common source cells and 2 cascode cells. The UMS PH15 process is used to design and manufacture the VGLNA. The simulated noise figure is below 1.4 dB and the gain maintained over 40 dB. The final circuit covers an area of 3.4×1.4 mm2.