TRW Indium Phosphide Microwave Amplifier Chip Delivers World Record Power Density
Source: TRW
Redondo Beach, CA. TRW Inc. (NYSE:TRW), a world leader in advanced semiconductors, has developed a highly efficient microwave power amplifier chip that delivers world record levels of power per unit of semiconductor area for integrated circuits operating at more than 20 billion cycles per second (20 GHz).
The record-breaking amplifier, fabricated in a high-performance semiconductor material known as indium phosphide (InP), achieved an output power density of 360 milliwatts per square millimeter at 23 GHz.
"High performance microwave power amplifiers are a key requirement for next-generation digital radios and space-based communication systems," said Dwight Streit, TRW s vice president for Advanced Semiconductors. "Our new InP power amplifier demonstrates not only record power density that s at least twice that of any other power amplifier available today, but also provides excellent linearity and power-added efficiency. This combination of performance characteristics is ideal for a microwave power amplifier."
The power amplifier is described in a technical paper that was presented at the 2000 IEEE GaAs IC Symposium, held in November in Seattle. The chip, with an output power of 400 milliwatts, was developed by TRW under contract to the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Sensors Directorate, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, as part of the government s Dual Use Science and Technology program.
"This technology achievement paves the way for advanced, power-efficient active apertures used in space-based and airborne radars," said Tim Kemerley, Chief of the AFRL Aerospace Components and Subsystems Technology Division, Sensors Directorate. "These aerospace radar systems will need highly efficient transmit amplifiers, as well as novel approaches to antenna packaging and integration, to meet requirements for multifunction performance, low mass and affordable cost."
Streit added that TRW is working aggressively to bring InP technology to specific commercial telecommunication markets in the coming year.
Late last year TRW announced the completion of a high-volume InP production facility, which will produce TRW s advanced InP for rapidly growing telecommunications market applications, including fiber optic transmission systems, mobile wireless communications and broadband wireless services. Fabrication equipment is currently being installed, with low-volume pilot production scheduled for early 2001.
TRW Space & Electronics Group, which is building the Astrolink digital-switching payloads, is a world leader in satellite communications and microelectronics. TRW Inc. provides advanced technology products and services for the global automotive, aerospace, telecommunications and information systems markets. News releases about TRW activities are available at www.trw.com or at http://www.businesswire.com/trw/.
Contact: TRW Inc., Redondo Beach Jack Prichett Tel: 310/812-5227 Jack.Prichett@trw.com
TRW Inc., Redondo Beach
Jack Prichett
Tel: 310/812-5227
Jack.Prichett@trw.com
E-mail: Jack.Prichett@trw.com
Web site: http://www.trw.com
