14~18 GHz compact GaN power amplifier MMICs with high power and high efficiency
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1Beijing CETC Satellite Navigation System Co.,Beijing 101100,China;2The 13th Institute of China Electronic Technology Group Corporation,Shijiazhuang Hebei 050051,China

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    Abstract:

    Based on a 0.25 μm GaN High-Electron-Mobility Transistor(HEMT) process platform on SiC substrate, a compact, high-power, high-efficiency Microwave Monolithic Integrated Circuit(MMIC) Power Amplifier(PA) is designed using electro-thermal co-design and microwave device/circuit simulation techniques. Based on output power requirements and load-pull characteristics,the dimensions and optimum impedances of the transistors at each stage are determined. According to the circuit gain requirements, a three-stage cascaded configuration is adopted, with total gate width ratios of 1:3.6:16 for the pre-driver, driver, and final stages, respectively. Through electro-thermal co-design, the die layout is optimized to reduce thermal coupling effects and enhance the heat dissipation capability of the circuit. By employing electromagnetic parasitic parameter extraction technology, a compact circuit layout is achieved with a chip size of 2.7 mm×5.6 mm. Test results demonstrate that the power amplifier achieves a saturated output power greater than 46.5 dBm, a Power-Added Efficiency (PAE) greater than 42%, and a saturated power gain greater than 26.5 dB over the 14~18 GHz frequency band. Owing to its excellent electrical performance, it is suitable for wide applications in communications and electronic countermeasures.

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Liu Huan, Wei Hongtao, Cai Daomin.14~18 GHz compact GaN power amplifier MMICs with high power and high efficiency[J]. Journal of Terahertz Science and Electronic Information,2026,24(8):937~[end].

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History
  • Received:February 09,2026
  • Revised:March 10,2026
  • Adopted:
  • Online: September 03,2026
  • Published: