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MMIC amps, wideband switches target radar and test applications

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Microsemi Corporation announced six new monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) products, including four wideband low noise MMIC amplifiers (MMA040AA , MMA041AA, MMA043AA and MMA044AA) and two wideband gallium arsenide (GaAs) MMIC switches (MMS006AA and MMS008AA). The new MMIC products are ideally suited for test and measurement, electronic warfare and radar applications.

“Our new high linearity MMIC amplifiers and switches represent Microsemi’s significant investment in expanding our Forever MMIC product portfolio as we continue addressing customers’ highly specific and complex MMIC requirements with affordable, low-risk solutions that can also reduce end-equipment bill of materials costs and represent long-term value to the customer,” said Kevin Harrington, director of strategic marketing for Microsemi’s RF/Microwave Discrete Products business unit. “The Forever MMICs are another example of Microsemi’s steadfast commitment to providing a continuous supply of product for the support of long-term defense, industrial and commercial programs.”

Microsemi’s new devices are ideal for a number of applications primarily within the defense and industrialmarkets, including receiver front end amplifiers for electronic warfare (EW) and signal intelligence (SIGINT); and wideband bench top and portable measurement equipment up to 26 GHz. Compared with existing market solutions, Microsemi’s new wideband low noise MMIC amplifiers deliver excellent performance with flat gain over a wide frequency range, and significantly better output third-order intercept point (OIP3) performance. Similarly, the new GaAs MMIC switches provide broad frequency coverage combined with superior insertion loss, isolation and input third-order intercept point (IIP3) performance. Global market research and consulting company Strategy Analytics estimates that GaAs MMICs sold into the EW, radar and microwave communications markets will reach $500 million by 2019.

The MMA040AA, a DC to 28 GHz distributed low noise amplifier, features a low noise figure of 2.5 decibel (dB), flat gain of 16 dB and provides 27 decibel-milliwatts (dBm) of OIP3 linearity. The MMA041AA, a DC to 26 GHz distributed low noise amplifier, features 3.2 dB noise figure, 18 dB gain and 35 dBm of OIP3 linearity. The MMA043AA, a 0.5 to 12 GHz low noise amplifier, offers a 1.4 dB noise figure, 16.5 dB of gain and 29 dBm of OIP3 linearity. The MMA044AA low noise amplifier operates across the 6 to 18 GHz band and provides a low noise figure of 1.7 dB, in combination with 21 dB of gain and 30 dBm of OIP3 linearity.

The MMS006AA, a DC to 20 GHz single pole double throw (SPDT), non-reflective MMIC switch, features high isolation of 45 dB and low insertion loss of 1.5 dB at 15 GHz. The MMS008AA is a DC to 8 GHz single pole four throw (SP4T), non-reflective MMIC switch that offers over 45 dB of isolation and less than 1.7 dB insertion loss. Both devices handle up to 30 dBm of input power and offer high input third-order intercept performance of 42 dBm and 46 dBm respectively. All six MMIC devices feature radio frequency (RF) ports that are internally matched to 50 Ohms and are available in bare die, which facilitates easy integration into multi-chip modules (MCMs).

Key features of Microsemi’s new wideband low noise MMIC amplifiers include:

Parameter MMA040AA MMA041AA MMA043AA MMA044AA
Operating Frequency DC-28 GHz DC-26 GHz 0.5-12 GHz 6-18 GHz
Noise Figure 2.5 dB 3.2 dB 1.4 dB 1.7 dB
Gain 16 dB 18 dB 16.5 dB 21 dB
Output IP3 26.5 dBm 35 dBm 29 dBm 30 dBm
Supply 8V/60 mA 7V/150 mA 5V/55 mA 4V/105 mA
Input/Output Impedance 50 Ohms 50 Ohms 50 Ohms 50 Ohms
Die Size 3mm x 1.3mm x 0.1mm 3mm x 1.3mm x 0.1mm 2.2mm x 1.3mm x 0.1mm 1.12mm x 1.3mm x 0.1mm

 

Key features of Microsemi’s new wideband GaAs MMIC switches include:

Parameter MMS006AA MMS008AA
Operating Frequency DC-20 GHz SPDT DC-8 GHz SP4T
Insertion Loss 1.5 dB @ 15 GHz <1.7 dB
Isolation 45 dB @ 15 GHz >40 dB
Input IP3 42 dBm 46 dBm
Return Loss 15 dB 15 dB
Maximum Input Power 30 dBm 30 dBm
Input/Output Impedance 50 Ohms 50 Ohms
Control Logic 0/-5V 0/-5V
Die Size 1.3mm x 0.85mm x 0.1mm 1.1mm x 1.2mm x 0.1mm

 

As a leader in MMIC products, Microsemi continues to expand its portfolio, which spans the DC to 65 GHz frequency range and targets a broad range of applications including those in electronic warfare, radars, test and measurement instrumentation, and microwave communications. The portfolio is based on high performance process technologies and comprises high power and low noise broadband amplifiers, amplifier modules, prescalers, attenuators and switches. Microsemi now offers 24 distributed amplifier products. Microsemi’s prescalers combine higher frequency operation, the flexibility to divide by a large number of ratios and excellent residual phase noise.

Product Availability
Microsemi’s six new products, including its wideband low noise MMIC amplifiers (MMA040AA, MMA041AA, MMA043AA and MMA044AA) and wideband GaAs MMIC switches (MMS006AA and MMS008AA), are available now. For more information, visit http://www.microsemi.com/products/mmic/mmic or contact sales….@microsemi.com.