L and P Band MMIC T/R Module, Phase II

This proposal is specifically written to address the need for improved L and P band T/R modules for use in active microwave surveillance of earth surface and atmosphere. The solicitation called for investigation and development of core technologies that will significantly improve T/R module performance. Improvements needed include reduced power consumption, mass, size and increased data rates. Hittite Microwave Corporation is a fabless semiconductor company that has been developing microwave monolithic integrated circuits (MMIC) for over 19 years. The T/R module circuit functions are diverse imposing several different process requirements. For example the key process specification for the LNA is the minimum noise figure (Fmin) of the process, for the control functions the switch cutoff frequency, and for the PA the power added efficiency. Hittite has focused on developing E/D PHEMT processes and simulations presented in this Phase II proposal are based on models from a new Triquint E/D PHEMT process. The E/D process is promising as a work horse process offering overall superior performance for LNAs, PAs, and control components. Hittite will use the Phase II program to design and develop and fabricate an efficient single chip T/R solution for the array application.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

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