A high-gain and low-noise MMIC amplifier module for a Ku-band compact active integrated antenna

The new design method for the low noise GaAs MMIC amplifier was described. The wide-band characteristic by the distributed amplifier was extended with low noise amplifier circuit technology in the first and even the second FET of the multi-stage FET amplifier. Through the experiment of the three-stage amplifier, the gain over 30 dB with NF below 2.0 dB over 7 to 14 GHz were obtained with the compact size of 3.3 mm × 1.7 mm. In addition, the gain of 30.9 dB and NF of 1.3 dB at 175 K were observed at 13 GHz. It is confirmed that the design method proposed in this study for the low noise MMIC amplifier can be effective in a communication system as well as to the radio astronomy.