A GaAs X-Band Multifunction Control MMIC Using the MSAG® Process

Abstract
This paper describes efforts to achieve first pass design success for an X-band control MMIC consisting of multi-bit phase shifter, multi-bit attenuator, amplifier and serial-to-parallel converter functions using MSAG Process 5. A discussion of the merits of multifunction MMIC integration using MSAG Process 5 will be presented, followed by a detailed design description which is amenable to achieving first-pass design success. The X-band control MMIC designed using the MSAG process and following the outlined design procedure exhibited excellent first-pass results including: RMS phase error less than of 2^o and RMS attenuator error less than 0.3 dB. On-wafer RF screening of this 24 mm 2, complex multifunction digital and microwave control MMIC resulted in an RF spec yield of over 90%... making this chip extremely desirable for low-cost solid state phased array radar T/R module applications.

Click here to download the complete paper in pdf format.