7–13 GHz MMIC GaN HEMT Voltage-Controlled-Oscillators (VCOs) for satellite applications

Abstract

This paper reports on a Voltage-Controlled-Oscillator (VCO) chip set covering 7–13 GHz with phase noise better than −125 dBc/Hz at 1 MHz off-set. The chip set is implemented in GaN HEMT MMIC technology and designed for use in satellite transponders. 6 VCOs are used to cover the full range, each of them has tuning range about 1 GHz with output power in the order of 5 dBm. GaN HEMT technology is chosen for good radiation hardness and for the high power capability, enabling high signal-to-noise ratio and good far-carrier phase noise performance which is needed in future wideband communication systems.