Ku-band MMIC's in low-cost, SMT compatible packages

MM-wave components are very expensive due to the high package and assembly cost. This paper describes a 0.25 /spl mu/m PHEMT Ku-band 2-watt PA, and a 2.2 dB NF LNA MMIC in a low-cost SMT package ($2.00). The package has excellent thermal resistance, 0.5 C/W, return loss (20 dB), and input/output isolation (40 dB), from DC-40 GHz. We believe this is the first time such a package design has been published.