Cryogenic testing and multi-chip module design of a 31.3-45GHz MHEMT MMIC-based heterodyne receiver for radio astronomy

Yuh Jing Hwang, Chau Ching Chiong, Su Wei Chang, Tashun Wei, Wei Ting Wong, Yo Shen Lin, Ming Tang Chen, Huei Wang, Hong Yeh Chang

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

A prototype Q-band millimeter-wave heterodyne receiver based on monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) chips is designed and tested. The MMIC chips, including two three-stage 31.3-45GHz low-noise amplifier (LNA), a diode balanced mixer and a 4-12GHz IF amplifier, are fabricated by a 0.15-um Gallium-Arsenide (GaAs) metamorphic high-electron mobility transistor (MHEMT) foundry service. The MMIC chips are measured by probe in the gain stage. The three-stage 31.3-45GHz LNA MMIC exhibits 31-35dB gain and 2.8-3.5dB noise figure under room temperature environment. The balanced diode mixer with 31.3-45.0GHz RF frequency range and 27.3-33GHz LO frequency range shows 10-13dB conversion loss under 10-dBm LO pumping over 4-12GHz IF frequency range. The LO power of the mixer is provided by a phase-locked GaAs hetero-junction bipolar transistor (HBT) MMIC voltage-controlled oscillator cascaded by a buffer amplifier. The packaged modules of the individual MHEMT MMIC receiver components are designed for testing under 15-20K cryogenic operating temperature to ensure the low-noise performance. A compact multi-chip receiver module design concept will be presented.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationMillimeter and Submillimeter Detectors and Instrumentation for Astronomy IV
DOIs
StatePublished - 2008
EventMillimeter and Submillimeter Detectors and Instrumentation for Astronomy IV - Marseille, France
Duration: 26 Jun 200828 Jun 2008

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume7020
ISSN (Print)0277-786X

Conference

ConferenceMillimeter and Submillimeter Detectors and Instrumentation for Astronomy IV
Country/TerritoryFrance
CityMarseille
Period26/06/0828/06/08

Keywords

  • HBT
  • MHEMT
  • MMIC
  • Multi-chip module
  • Q-band receiver
  • VCO

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