This paper presents an enhanced, closed-form expression for the thermal resistance, and thus, the channel temperature of AlGaN/gallium nitride (GaN) HEMTs, including the effect of the temperature-dependent thermal conductivity of GaN and SiC or Si substrates. In addition, the expression accounts for temperature increase across the die-attach. The model's validity is verified by comparing it with experimental observations. The model results also compare favorably with those from finite-element numerical simulations across the various device geometric and material parameters. The model provides a more accurate channel temperature than that from a constant thermal conductivity assumption; this is particularly significant for GaN/Si HEMTs where the temperature rise is higher than in GaN/SiC. The model is especially useful for device and monolithic microwave integrated circuit designers in the thermal assessment of their device design iterations against required performance for their specific applications.
A novel waveguide-to-microstrip transition is developed using a new design methodology based on iris coupling. Key features of the design are a single-layer substrate, new matching topology, and new cavity enclosure. The transition lends itself to a low-cost implementation, while maintaining the enclosure's hermetic integrity. An extensive tolerance study shows that the present design is robust and very stable with respect to manufacturing and assembly variations. Careful consideration has been given to the mechanical aspects of the transition's implementation in order to achieve seamless integration into the overall package manufacturing and assembly process without sacrificing electrical performance. Proof of concept was achieved by implementing a Q-band (f0 = 44:5 GHz) design on alumina, a W-band (f0 = 94 GHz) design on z-cut quartz, and a W-band design on fused silica. All exhibited better than 22-dB return loss at their center frequencies with less than 0.3-dB insertion loss, and at minimum a 10% 15-dB return-loss bandwidth.
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