Microwave Millimeter Wave Solutions

M/A-COM Tech launches GaN RF power transistors for L- and S-band pulsed radar

M/A-COM Tech launches GaN RF power transistors for L- and S-band pulsed radar

At this week’s IEEE International Microwave Symposium (IMS 2011) in Baltimore, MD, USA (7–9 June), M/A-COM Technology Solutions Inc of Lowell, MA, USA (which makes semiconductors, components, and subassemblies for RF, microwave and millimeter-wave applications) is introducing a new family of gallium nitride (GaN) RF power transistors, targeting L- and S-band pulsed radar applications.

M/A-COM Tech’s GaN on silicon carbide (SiC) products — offered as transistors and pallets — use a 0.5 micron high-electron-mobility (HEMT) process and exhibit what are described as attractive RF performance parameters with respect to power, gain, gain flatness, efficiency and ruggedness over wide-operating bandwidths. Benefits of the GaN products include high breakdown voltage, superior power density, and higher and broader frequency operation than silicon, M/A-COM Tech adds.

“Our highly versatile family of GaN products offers customers a single solution combining both the high power handling and high-voltage operation typically found in silicon LDMOS devices, but with higher-frequency performance more often associated with GaAs devices,” says CEO Chuck Bland. 

The latest market information from the firm ABI Research shows increasing demand for high-power, pulsed RF devices in S- and L-band air-traffic control, marine, and military radar applications. “M/A-COM Technology Solutions’ silicon-based products have been a major force for high-power, pulsed RF applications in the S- and L-band radar market, and the extension into GaN technology positions their product line for continued market leadership,” comments Lance Wilson, ABI's research director, RF Components & Systems.

Engineering samples for GaN transistors and pallets are available for qualified customers from stock (the products are subject to the jurisdiction of the Export Administration Regulations, so shipments to certain destinations may require an export license).

M/A-COM Tech plans to release later this year additional products that target applications such as L-band radar, avionics, electronic warfare (EW), and military communications (MilCom), as well as general-purpose devices.

©2006-2011

Disclaimer: Material published within Semiconductor Today and related media does not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher or staff. Juno Publishing and Media Solutions Ltd and its staff accept no responsibility for opinions expressed, editorial errors and damage/injury to property or persons as a result of material published.

Agilent Technologies to Demonstrate Newest RF/Microwave Design and ...

&Ldquo;For over 65 years, our design and test solutions have provided engineers with the tools they need to accelerate their research, design and development in RF, microwave and now millimeter-wave electronics,” said Barry Alcorn, Americas market segment manager in Agilent's Electronic Measurement Group. “At IMS 2011, we're showing leading-edge solutions for the most advanced applications being developed today.” Innovative design tools: Agilent SystemVue, a design platform, offers support for ultra-wideband ARBs and radar applications. Agilent EMPro software 2011.07 delivers a simulation design platform for analyzing 3-D electromagnetic effects. Also on display will be the latest in X-parameter* breakthroughs, a new category of nonlinear network parameters for high-frequency design, and the newest features in ADS 2011. Wideband signal-generation and analysis solutions: Agilent will demonstrate wideband radar signal generation and simulation (used to analyze radar waveforms) with its wide-bandwidth 81180 arbitrary waveform generator, PSG signal generator with wideband IQ inputs, and 32-GHz 90000X oscilloscope. Agilent will also demonstrate its N9000A CXA, a low-cost RF signal analyzer that includes an IQ modulator, modulation analysis tools and a tracking generator, with swept measurements done to 7 GHz. The Agilent MXG signal generator and Signal Studio software will be shown with the Agilent PXA signal analyzer and the 89600B VSA – a powerful combination of generation and analysis tools. RF and uW field-test solutions: Agilent will show the N9923A FieldFox RF Vector Network Analyzer, the world's most accurate handheld VNA with the best measurement stability in the industry; the N9912A, the worlds' most integrated handheld for wireless installation and maintenance with seven instruments in one; and the N9344C and N9343C handheld spectrum analyzers, two field-ready instruments designed for technicians and engineers who install, maintain and troubleshoot RF/microwave systems, monitor the spectrum or manage interference while in the field.

Permission to Reproduce:
Unless otherwise stated, the copyright and similar rights to all material published on this website are owned by The Manufacturers Group Inc. DBA Manufacturing & Technology eJournal( mfrtech.com ). Reproduction of any article in print, electronic or any other form must acknowledge mfrtech.

Analysis methods for RF, microwave, and millimeter-wave planar transmission line structures

The Froehlich/Kent encyclopedia of telecommunications

Millimeter Wave Communication Systems

Modern millimeter-wave technologies

Modern microwave and millimeter-wave power electronics