17 GHz-bandwidth 17 dB-gain 0.3 /spl mu/m-HEMT low-power limiting amplifier

Abstract

The design of a limiting amplifier with a high speed, a high gain, and a wide dynamic range is a basic task for the realization of high-speed data transmission systems. A limiting amplifier fabricated using Si-bipolar technology can be operated at 15 Gb/s with a power consumption of 720 mW. An AlGaAs/GaAs HBT limiting amplifier can be operated up to 15 GHz with a power consumption of 1.5 W. The HEMT limiting amplifier presented in this paper shows a higher bandwidth but needs a much lower DC power.