K-band T/R-converter modules for the IRIDIUM satellite program

Author

Corman, D.W. ; Agar, B.T. ; Buer, K.V. ; Cook, D.L.

Author_Institution

Satellite Commun. Div., Motorola Inc., Chandler, AZ, USA

fYear

1995

fDate

15-16 May 1995

Firstpage

137

Lastpage

140

Abstract

The paper describes two K-band multi-chip modules developed for the satellites on the IRIDIUM communication program. The modules employ a wide range of low noise and power 0.25 um PHEMT MMICs to provide all K-band transmit/receive functions aboard the spacecraft. The modules include over 500 active and passive components including LNAs, power amplifiers, mixers, frequency doublers, and associated support circuitry. Descriptions are provided of the MMIC and module development programs, module producibility features, and the associated MMIC reliability test program. Also described is a novel K-band interface method which eliminates RF alignment.<>

Keywords

HEMT integrated circuits; MMIC frequency convertors; field effect MMIC; mobile satellite communication; multichip modules; personal communication networks; transceivers; 0.25 micron; IRIDIUM communication program; K-band interface; LNAs; PHEMT MMICs; frequency doublers; mixers; multi-chip modules; power amplifiers; reliability test; satellites; spacecraft; support circuitry; transmit/receive converter; Artificial satellites; Circuit noise; Circuit testing; Frequency; K-band; MMICs; PHEMTs; Power amplifiers; Radiofrequency amplifiers; Space vehicles;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Microwave and Millimeter-Wave Monolithic Circuits Symposium, 1995. Digest of Papers., IEEE 1995

Conference_Location

Orlando, FL, USA

Print_ISBN

0-7803-2590-7

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/MCS.1995.470973

Filename

470973