2 and 4 watt Ka-band GaAs PHEMT power amplifier MMICs

The design and performance of power amplifiers for Ka-band applications is presented. A three-stage amplifier demonstrated 22 dB small signal gain from 26.5 GHz to 31.5 GHz and saturated output power of 4W with 28% power added efficiency from 28 GHz to 31 GHz. Record power density of 670 mW per mm of device output periphery was achieved. The amplifiers were fabricated on a selective double-recess 0.2 /spl mu/m GaAs power pHEMT process.