Heterojunction Bipolar Transistor Power Amplifiers for Long-Range X-band Communications, Phase I

In this SBIR Phase I project, Vega Wave Systems, Inc. will develop and demonstrate a novel InGaP-GaAs heterojunction bipolar transistor power amplifier for long-range X-band communications. The Phase I objective is to design and fabricate a new type of heterojunction bipolar transistor in order to achieve high device performance for power amplifiers (PAs). In addition, monolithic power combiners suitable for combining the output power of several HBTs will be designed and simulated. The transistor design is expected to result in a new approach capable of achieving high performance in an inherently low-cost device process. Prototype InGaP heterojunction bipolar transistors that have been optimized for communications applications at X-band frequencies will be designed, fabricated and delivered in Phase I. The devices will be characterized and modeling parameters will be extracted from the characterization results. Preliminary power amplifier and power combiner designs will be evaluated using the models obtained for the transistors. In Phase II the technology will be optimized for performance and extended to higher levels of integration by combining the outputs of several power transistors to deliver a monolithically-integrated amplifier that can achieve power output levels in excess of 10 watts.

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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