W-Band Power Amplifier Based on Wide Bandgap Technology Navy SBIR FY2008.2 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2008.2 Topic No.: N08-156 Topic Title: W-Band Power Amplifier Based on Wide Bandgap Technology Proposal No.: N082-156-0743 Firm: MMICMAN, LLC 826 N. Red Robin St. Orange, California 92869-1907 Contact: Rick Sturdivant Phone: (310) 980-3039 Web Site: http://www.mmicman.com Abstract: Battlefield requirements for radar which can see through clouds, fog and smoke can be effectively met by using W-band systems. These systems require high power amplifiers to create the high level RF signal which is transmitted at the target. Current solutions rely on gallium arsenide (GaAs) or indium phosphide (InP) for the high power amplifier (HPA). This is due to the high transition frequency (Ft) of these materials. However, the power density of these materials require the use large device sizes to achieve a desired output power. This results in less efficient HPAs. As a result, these devices do not meet future requirements. Millimeter-wave active antenna arrays and radar transmitters offer superior performance when compared to lower frequency radars such as X-Band The goal of this program is to prove the feasibility of a 94GHz GaN based high power amplifier. Program Technical Goals:  Achieve 4-5 Watts/mm device level power density.  Demonstrate 25% device power added efficiency.  HPA with 5 Watts output power.  HPA with 25dB gain.  HPA with at least 15% PAE. MMICMAN will leverage existing production of S, X and Ka-Band GaN-based MMIC HPAs to achieve this goal. Benefits: The use of high power amplifier modules extends beyond the application to NMD GBR radars. The use of reliable packaging to dissipate heat modules and increased power density HPAs are growing trends in commercial and military markets. Current commercial needs span the entire frequency band from UHF through millimeter-wave communication, navigation and broadcasting. In particular, the wireless communication industry has a need for high power, high efficiency, high linearity amplifiers for 3G and 802.11 base-stations. Satellites need to realize HPA modules with greater efficiency and lower weight to reduce cost and improve performance. Additional applications include automotive radar and medical applications using remote sensing, and homeland security applications. In particular low-cost lightweight HPA technology is highly desirable in the construction of lightweight radar systems. Return