E-band Radiation Hardened Low Noise Amplifier

ABSTRACT: We propose to develop a low noise amplifier (LNA), operating at E-band frequencies (81-86 GHz), with SOA noise performance, enhanced linearity and low power consumption. This will be accomplished by a combination of SOA device technology and innovative circuit techniques. The key to the noise performance is the advanced device technology, employing InP HEMT semiconductor materials in conjunction with sub-0.1m gate lengths. For this technology, we will team with either BAE or NGST. To enhance the amplifier linearity and reduce its power consumption, we are proposing two circuit innovations: Firstly, we are utilizing a cascode circuit configuration to improve the amplifier linearity, and secondly, we are biasing the amplifier stages in series (current reuse) to reduce power consumption. Neither of these techniques has been attempted before at these millimeter-wave frequencies. Simulations described in this proposal indicate that with these innovative techniques, we can simultaneously improve the amplifier linearity while reducing the power consumption. In fact, simulations indicate that we can reduce IM products by 30-40 dB, resulting in an OIP3 of 35.8 dBm with a power consumption of only 27mW. Finally, this amplifier will be packaged using QuinStar"s low-loss E/W-band waveguide packaging technology, which has been continually refined since the company"s inception in 1993. BENEFIT: Future MILSATCOM terminals require low noise, linear amplifiers for space based receivers operating at non-traditional millimeter-wave frequencies such as E-band (81-86 GHz). Linearity (high OIP3) is required in order handle advanced spectrally efficient modulation schemes such as QAM16, and low power is required both for power consumption reasons and to reduce self heating. In addition to space based SATCOM applications, this ultra low-noise technology is expected to find applications in other space applications including broadband RF cross-link communications in constellations, as well as airborne including very high altitude long duration reconnaissance UAVand terrestrial applications. Specific examples include the Joint Arial Layered Network (JALN), the ICD effort from STRATCOM and AISR. Further, this low noise MMIC technology can be readily applied to other military missions at adjacent frequencies such as W-band. QuinStar is an active participate in the AARGM missile program, and this low noise technology can be directly transitioned to the AARGM missile transceiver.