An mHEMT Q-Band Integrated LNA and Vector Modulator MMIC

We present a Q-band high performance integrated LNA and vector modulator MMIC. The overall MMIC shows a maximum gain of 11 dB at 44 GHz. Full 360-degree phase coverage and a maximum attenuation range of over 40 dB has been achieved. With software calibration, we have demonstrated phase steps as low as 0.4 degrees and amplitude steps of 0.06 dB. An overall noise figure for the integrated MMIC of 3.5 dB has been measured. The results show the excellent performance and high integration level possible with mHEMT technology at millimeter-wave frequencies. To our knowledge, this is the first reported single- chip integration of an LNA and vector modulator at Q-band.