Advances in GaN-based discrete power devices for L- and X-band applications

Abstract

Progress in fabrication of packaged discrete L- and X-band power AlGaN/GaN HFETs is presented. By exploiting typical GaN HFET related features such as improved linearity, power density, gain and broad band capability the devices allow for novel architectures for base stations in mobile communications and for space applications. Highlights to be presented are L-band power bar devices designed for continuous wave (cw) operation delivering an cw output power of 30 W and 100 W with 20 dB and 14 dB linear gain respectively. The architecture of these devices is based on novel gate "feed plate" structures. Furthermore discrete, hermetically packaged X-band devices for space based SSPAs in the power range of 10 W (continuous wave) at 8 GHz are presented