A Ka-Band MMIC Single-Chip Frequency Converter for Telecom Satellite Applications

In this paper, the design and experimental validation of a Ka-band single-chip frequency converter to be exploited in future generation telecom satellite converters is presented. The chip is manufactured exploiting a European 0.15-µm GaAs pHEMT MMIC technology occupying a total die area of 5x5 mm
²
. A conversion gain of about 43 dB is achieved in the broad IF frequency band from 17.2 GHz to 20.2 GHz synthesized by the LO frequency from 4.65 GHz to 6.1 GHz and the RF frequency in the band from 27.5 to 30.0 GHz. An output P1dB of 23 dBm with an output TOI of 33 dBm have been measured. The chip also integrates 20 dB programmable gain attenuation, with 1 dB steps and a continuous 7 dB fine tuning of the gain to compensate for temperature variations. The chip is fully compliant to space derating conditions.