MMIC progress in Japan

The status of GaAs monolithic microwave integrated circuits (MMICs), technological trends and several current developments in Japan are described, mainly from the point of view of circuit technology and applications. Several commercial applications for GaAs MMICs are now envisioned. Research and development in Japan is mainly for commercial applications, in contrast to the US MMIC Program for military MMIC use. Work on frequency dividers, low-noise amplifier components, and both high-power and nonlinear circuits is summarized. Several MMIC circuit technologies under development such as a 30-GHz satellite transponder, a 26-GHz uniplanar receiver and a 12-GHz broadcast satellite converter are noted. It is projected that: (1) a MMIC direct-broadcast satellite (DBS) low-noise converter could be ready for production and available in 1-2 years (from 1989); (2) MMIC modules (using microstrip structure or uniplanar structure) that operate at high frequencies could be achieved in communication systems.<>