Continuous-wave operation of active medium propagation devices

Continuous-wave (CW) operation of active medium propagation (AMP) devices was first achieved by operating the devices at a reduced ambient of -40°C (heat-sink simulation). Under these conditions, the CW technology demonstration of these active two-port devices at ∼18 GHz included >20-dB on-off ratio, 10-dB chip gain, 10.7-dB noise figure (3-dB associated chip gain), and continuous loop oscillation. At the present time, comparable results are being obtained at room ambient on plated copper heat sinks which were developed for the AMP transmission line. The thermal impedance is ∼120°C/W and the devices operate at a line temperature of ∼140°C.