Low cost miniaturized EHF SATCOM transceiver featuring HEMT MMICs and LTCC multilayer packaging

Abstract

Presented is a 20 GHz downconverter and a 44 GHz upconverter for a low cost miniaturized transceiver for EHF SATCOM terminal applications. The hardware features a set of passivated pseudomorphic InGaAs HEMT MMlCs including a 20 GHz balanced low noise amplifier and a 44 GHz 100 mW driver amplifier. The upconverter input and the LO input of the downconverter feature built-in-test (BIT) with on-chip detectors. The downconverter is packaged in a low temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) substrate, with integrated RF and DC interconnects, printed resistors, and a buried stripline IF filter. INTRODUCTIONThe performance and cost drivers of the transceiver for future EHF SATCOM terminals

A compact LTCC-based Ku-band transmitter module

“…LTCC-based modules demonstrated so far [2]- [4] were dedicated for phase-array applications. The feasibility of implementing a LTCC integrated filter has been demonstrated in [5], [6] for L-band application. The same concept is now extended for Ku-band applications.…”