High efficiency X-Ku band MMIC power amplifiers

Abstract

MMIC power amplifiers with 3.5 W nominal output power and 49.5% peak power added efficiency over the 8-14 GHz band are described. Efficiency in excess of 40% is obtained over much of the band. The amplifiers utilize Raytheon's power PHEMT technology. Details of the device performance, circuit design, and evaluation are given. The results presented represent state of the art performance for MMIC circuits over X-Ku band.