High gain CPW MMIC amplifiers and waveguide modules for V-band applications

Reproducible pseudomorphic MODFET MMIC amplifiers with 18.5 dB gain at 51 GHz were realized in coplanar waveguide technology. An on-wafer S-parameter measurement system up to 75 GHz was developed to establish the MMIC design database. The RF wafer yield of the MMICs is greater than 80%. The system advantages of CPW for multi-chip modules are demonstrated by a 6-stage amplifier comprising 2 cascaded chips, resulting in a gain of 37.5 dB at 51 GHz and 21.5 dB at 60 GHz. Our measurements proof absolute stability of the realized modules. The MMICs were inserted into a V-Band waveguide module comprising the CPW/waveguide transitions. The measured gain and noise figure of the waveguide module was 16 dB and 6.0 dB at 54 GHz, respectively.