An X-Ku Band Distributed GaN LNA MMIC with High Gain

Abstract

A high-gain wideband low noise amplifier (LNA) using 0.25-mu m Gallium-Nitride (GaN) MMIC technology is presented. The LNA shows 8 GHz to 15 GHz operation by a distributed amplifier architecture and high gain with an additional common source amplifier as a mid-stage. The measurement results show a flat gain of 25.1+/-0.8 dB and input and output matching of -12 dB for all targeted frequencies. The measured minimum noise figure is 2.8 dB at 12.6 GHz and below 3.6 dB across all frequencies. It consumes 98 mA with a 10-V supply. By adjusting the gate voltage of the mid-stage common source amplifier, the overall gain is controlled stably from 13 dB to 24 dB with no significant variations of the input and output matching.