A 47 GHz power efficient MMIC tripler with low conversion loss

This paper presents design & development of a 47 GHz, single-ended, low conversion loss, Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit (MMIC) frequency tripler using 0.15pm GaAs/InGaAs/AlGaAs pseudomorphic High Electron Mobility Transistor (pHEMT). Fabricated chip size is 1.5mm × 2.0mm. The successful first run fabrication of the MMIC has achieved 3.5 dB of conversion loss at 47 GHz for 5 dBm of input power at 15.67 GHz. The circuit consumes only 35 mW of dc power, while output power flatness is within 2 dB over 8.5% frequency bandwidth. Fundamental, second, and fourth harmonic rejection is about 31 dBc, 27 dBc, and 28 dBc, respectively. Output spectrum obtained is highly stable and of high spectral purity. Therefore, the tripler becomes suitable for Millimeter Wave (MMW) transceiver applications.