High efficiency and broadband fully integrated MMIC power amplifiers using GaN technology for space and terrestrial wireless communication

在过去的十年中，研究活动已经证明，新兴的氮化镓（GaN）高电子迁移率晶体管（HEMT）是未来功率放大器（PA）设计的上级技术选择，这是设计用于空间和地面通信应用的无线通信链路中的元件的最具挑战性的元件之一。在应用方面，对更高数据速率的持续增长的需求沿着对波束控制可重新配置性的需求正在推动新的无线地面和卫星通信标准以增加通信带宽和操作载波频率以及采用先进的传输解决方案，诸如大规模多输入多输出（MIMO）拓扑和可重新配置的波束控制。因此，目前有很高的兴趣进行研究活动，在完全集成的单片微波集成电路（MMIC）GaN PA设计适合与天线阵列系统集成。在此背景下，该项目的目标是设计完全集成的MMIC GaN PA，在Ka波段具有高效率和宽带宽，适用于空间和地面无线通信应用。为了实现这一主要目标，将研究GaN晶体管的精确宽带建模。该模型可用于高效率宽带连续模式开关功率放大器和负载调制功率放大器的设计。最后，将展示一个LTCC封装解决方案中的完全集成MMIC PA，包括天线阵列系统的封装内构建模块。该项目解决了支持组织感兴趣的关键领域。这些有针对性的发明将帮助他们创建更快、更智能、更节能的通信网络，从而使加拿大人能够以更低的成本获得更好的通信服务，同时对环境的影响更小。

Research activities in the last decade have proven that the emerging Gallium Nitride (GaN) high-electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) are the superior technology choice for future designs of the power amplifier (PA), which is one the most challenging to design components in a wireless communication link for space and terrestrial communication applications. On the application side, the continuously increasing needs for higher data rates along with the need for beam steering reconfigurability is driving new wireless terrestrial and satellite communication standards to increase the communication bandwidth and operating carrier frequency as well as to adopt advanced transmission solutions such as massive multiple input multiple-output (MIMO) topologies and reconfigurable beam steering. As a consequence, there is currently a high interest in conducting research activities in fully integrated monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) GaN PA designs suitable for integration with antenna array systems. In this context, this project targets the design of fully integrated MMIC GaN PAs with high efficiency and broad bandwidth at the Ka-band for space and terrestrial wireless communication applications. To achieve this main objective, accurate broadband modeling of GaN transistors will be investigate. This model will be used in the design of high efficiency broadband continuous mode switch mode PAs and load-modulated PAs. Finally, a fully integrated MMIC PA in an LTCC packaging solutions including in-package building block for antenna array system will be demonstrated.This project addresses key area of interest to the supporting organizations. The targeted inventions will help them in the creation of communication networks that are faster, more intelligent, and more energy efficient, thereby allowing Canadians to live with access to better communication services at lower costs while having less impact on the environment.