Low-Noise Amplifiers for the Arctic Weather Satellite

In this paper we describe the results of the low-noise amplifier (LNA) development for ESA’s Arctic Weather Satellite (AWS). Three LNA circuits, covering the frequency bands around 54 GHz, 89 GHz as well as 165–183 GHz, have been fabricated in a 50-nm InGaAs-channel mHEMT technology, packaged into waveguide modules, and qualified for the AWS proto-flight model. The measured noise-figure performance is in the range of 1 dB around 54 GHz, 2 dB around 89 GHz, 3.4 dB around 165 GHz, and 3.7 dB at 183 GHz. The results of the on-wafer characterization as well as the packaged LNAs are described in detail.