A compact Ka-band power amplifier using finite-ground coplanar waveguide design

A compact 0.15/spl mu/m InGaAs pHEMT power amplifier using finite-ground coplanar waveguide (FGCPW) design for Ka-band applications is presented. An optimum ratio between signal and ground width is demonstrated in this design. The proposed two stages FGCPW power amplifier delivers a 14.5dB linear power gain at 31GHz with 19.3% maximum power-added efficiency (Max PAE). Furthermore, the chip size is very compact less than 2 mm/sup 2/. Compared to previously reported Ka-band amplifiers, the results are superior to those using the microstrip technique on MMIC power amplifier designs.

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