Ka-band MMIC high power amplifier (4W at 30GHz) with record compact size

We report a compact and efficient Ka-band high power amplifier with output power of over 4W at 30GHz and record compact area of 8.63mm² in a Ka-band high power amplifier (HPA) class. The bias capacitors (∼80pF) are included inside the MMIC so that it reduces the assembly cost in the package or module. We employed a dual-recessed 0.15μm power pHEMT production process and 2mil-substrate technology to achieve high output power with high efficiency and compact design. The output power (CW measurement) is 36.2dBm, and, the gain, 22.5dB, at 30GHz. These results set the benchmark of CW output power per millimeter square area for the reported performance of Ka-band HPA MMICs.