Progress in MMIC Technology for Satellite Communications

NASA´s Lewis Research Center is actively involved in the development of monolithic microwave and millimeter wave integrated circuits. The approach of the program is to support basic research under grant or in-house, while MMIC development is done under contract, thereby facilitating the transfer of technology to users. Primary thrusts of the program have been the extension of technology to higher frequencies (60 GHz), degrees of complexity, and performance (power, efficiency, noise figure) by utilizing new circuit designs, processes, and materials.