A New High Efficiency 1-Watt S-Band GaAs HBT Power Amplifier MMIC for the TTC Transponder of the GALILEO Navigation System

In this paper a new custom MMIC (Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit) design based on space-qualified UMS (United Monolithic Semiconductors) HB20P process [1][2] is presented. Its excellent performances allow using it as a building block of a new generation S-Band SSPA (Solid-State Power Amplifier) module developed by Mier Comunicaciones. The development of this SSPA is being carried out in the frame of the TTC transponder for the Galileo European Navigation System. In this context, it is very important to consider essential aspects in terms not only of electrical performances, but also of total mass, physical integration and manufacturability ease. These requirements are given by the high volume production demanded by the number of units of the Galileo constellation, which will be composed by 30 satellites. This also makes the MMIC technology the most appropriate in comparison to other alternatives, as conventional MIC (Microwave Integrated Circuit) designs. The main goal of this design is to achieve the highest efficiency in the signal’s bandwidth frequency range (2.2-2.3 GHz) while keeping a high phase linearity and band flatness, features which are essential for CDMA and QPSK operation. On the other hand, the lack of commercially-available MMICs in the European market for this application justifies the choice of a custom design, taking advantage of Mier Comunicaciones’ expertise in this field