13 - Monolithic microwave integrated circuits

Abstract

This chapter discusses the monolithic microwave integrated circuits (MMICs). MMICs and similar devices are used in a wide variety of applications. These devices may be very wideband, or relatively narrow band. Very wideband amplifiers have a bandpass (frequency response) of several hundred megahertz, or more, typically ranging from sub-VLF to the low end of the microwave spectrum. Very wideband amplifiers were difficult to design and build until the advent of monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) devices. Several factors contribute to the difficulty of designing and building very wideband amplifiers. This chapter uses the MAR-x series of MMICs by Mini-Circuits Laboratories to be representative. The MAR-x series of devices inherently match 50 ohm input and output impedances without external impedance transformation circuitry, making them an excellent choice for general radio frequency (RF) applications. The chapter also highlights figures, which show the internal circuitry for the MAR-x devices. These devices are silicon bipolar monolithic ICs in a two transistor Darlington amplifier configuration.