Kenneth Vern Buer

The IRIDIUM K-band MMIC chip set

A set of 16 K-band MMIC chips has been developed for the satellites in the IRIDIUM communications program. Both high power and low noise 0.25 /spl mu/m PHEMT technologies were used to develop this MMIC chip set. The MMICs consist of a broad band frequency doubler, up and down converters, high power amplifiers, variable gain amplifiers, low noise amplifiers, and an IF amplifier. A noise figure of less than 3.3 dB at 29 GHz and output power of over 4 watts at 23.3 GHz were achieved with no RF tuning. This paper describes statistical device characterization, design details, measured results, and integration of these MMIC chips into a high density multi-chip module (MCM).<<ETX>>

K-band T/R-converter modules for the IRIDIUM satellite program

The paper describes two K-band multi-chip modules developed for the satellites on the IRIDIUM communication program. The modules employ a wide range of low noise and power 0.25 um PHEMT MMICs to provide all K-band transmit/receive functions aboard the spacecraft. The modules include over 500 active and passive components including LNAs, power amplifiers, mixers, frequency doublers, and associated support circuitry. Descriptions are provided of the MMIC and module development programs, module producibility features, and the associated MMIC reliability test program. Also described is a novel K-band interface method which eliminates RF alignment.<<ETX>>The paper describes two K-band multi-chip modules developed for the satellites on the IRIDIUM communication program. The modules employ a wide range of low noise and power 0.25 um PHEMT MMICs to provide all K-band transmit/receive functions aboard the spacecraft. The modules include over 500 active and passive components including LNAs, power amplifiers, mixers, frequency doublers, and associated support circuitry. Descriptions are provided of the MMIC and module development programs, module producibility features, and the associated MMIC reliability test program. Also described is a novel K-band interface method which eliminates RF alignment.<<ETX>>