Abstract :
In terms of the number of components, the tunnel diode amplifier is one of the least complex RF amplifiers available. It has never achieved broad acceptance because of high cost, poor reliability, and problems of instability. The recent success of planar fabrication techniques promises to eliminate these drawbacks. By integrating planar tunnel diodes with printed microwave circuitry, reliable low-cost, high-performance tunnel diode amplifiers should be feasible.
