GaN-based amplifiers for wideband applications

Different wideband amplifiers, hybrid designs at lower frequencies, and monolithically integrated circuits (MMIC) at higher frequencies were designed, fabricated, and measured. These amplifiers are all based on AlGaN/GaN HEMT technology. The future applications for these types of amplifiers are mainly electronic warfare (EW) applications. Novel communication jammers and especially active electronically scanned array EW systems have a high demand for wideband high power amplifiers. The second application also needs high robust low noise amplifiers for its receive path. Output power levels of 38 W for hybrid amplifiers at lower frequencies up to 6 GHz and 15 W for the MMIC power amplifiers at higher frequencies are measured. With these building blocks, novel EW system approaches can be investigated.