GaAs Monolithic Analogue Circuits for Microwave Communication Systems up to 23 GHz

COSMIC - 5018

Keywords microwave communication systems, GaAs MMICs, MESFETs, HEMTs

Start Date: 01-JAN-90 / Duration: 36 months

[ contact / participants ]

Objectives and Approach

The overall objective of COSMIC was the development of GaAs MMICs for microwave communication systems up to 23 GHz. Multifunction MMICs in MESFET/HEMT technology, which are complete or core parts of receiver units, were realised. The systems considered were:

• rural and suburban point-to-multipoint services
• global positioning systems
• European cordless telephone
• high-speed optical transmissions
• direct (satellite) broadcast systems (DBS).

Improvements in some basic properties of the following central issues were considered necessary:

• MESFET/HEMT small-signal and noise models
• on-wafer noise measurements
• enhanced MBE MESFET/HEMT layer growth
• enhanced SAG MESFET/HEMT technology
• enhanced high packing density MMIC technology

Progress and Results

The major results were:

• Circuit designs
  • different types of transimpedance amplifiers
  • LNA/mixer for GPS/GSM
  • LNA for L-band point-to-multipoint applications
  • DBS LNC
• Technology
  • first MESFET/HEMT wafers with enhanced MBE growth
  • new HEMT process in sidewall spacer technique
  • HPD test mask set available, process in progress
  • on-wafer NF-measurement technique started
  • physical noise model development started
  • introduction to foundries.

All demonstrators were achieved. Commercialisation of the resulting products has already started, especially in the area of mobile telephones.

CONTACT POINT

Dr E. Pettenpaul
SIEMENS-NIXDORF
INFORMATIONSSYSTEME AG (SNI)
Balansstr. 73
D - 8000 MÜNCHEN 80
tel: + 49/ 89-41442376
fax: + 49/ 89-41444694
telex: 521080

Participants

SIEMENS-NIXDORF
INFORMATIONSSYSTEME AG (SNI) - D - C
TELEFONICA INVESTIGACION
Y DESARROLLO - E - P
FORTH RESEARCH CENTRE - GR - P
PLESSEY COMPANY PLC - UK - P
TELETTRA SPA - I - P
ARGUMENS GMBH - D - A
UNIVERSIDAD POLITECNICA DE MADRID - E - A
UNIVERSITA DI ROMA - TOR VERGATA - I - A
POLITECNICO DI TORINO - I - A
TELETTRA ESPAÑA SA - E - A
INGENIEURBUERO FÜR IMHT - D - A

COSMIC - 5018, December 1993

please address enquiries to the ESPRIT Information Desk

html version of synopsis by Nick Cook