Broadband GaN-based power amplifier MMIC and module for V-band measurement applications

This work presents a balanced GaN-based power amplifier targeting the entire V-band frequency range. The fabricated chip was packaged in a split block WR-15 waveguide environment to make it applicable for high-power measurement applications. The designed GaN MMIC provides a high small signal gain of more than 20 dB within a frequency range of 49 GHz up to 83 GHz. On-wafer large-signal measurements of the MMIC at 75 GHz demonstrate a linear gain of 26.3 dB, along with a saturated output power of 29.3 dBm (850 mW) and a maximum power added efficiency of 13.5 %. For the assembled module, an average saturated output power of 28.1 dBm (645 mW) within a variance of ±0.4 dB has been measured for the entire V-band (50-75 GHz).