MMIC´s for space-borne systems: status and prospects

Fifteen years after their first demonstration, MMIC´s are now rapidly conquering the world of space electronics. The driving forces behind MMIC development have been miniaturization, cost reduction and higher reliability. MMIC´s have first been introduced into GEO Telecommunication satellites with a new generation of compact channel amplifier (CAMP). Receiver and solid state power amplifiers (SSPA) are following. After the first convincing demonstrations, MMIC´s have now become an absolute necessity for turning into reality future satellites with active antennas, observation radars or future systems such as LEO constellations.