A 75–81 GHz, 14.3 dBm peak output power, 21 dB peak gain, SiGe power-combining amplifier operating from a single 3.3 V supply

Abstract

This paper presents a compact differential 4-way power combiner with 2.3 dB loss and high common-mode rejection characteristic for use in mm-wave power amplifiers (PAs). A complete circuit comprised of a power splitter, two-stage cascode PA array, and a power combiner was implemented in SiGe technology. Measured small-signal gain of at least 17 dB was obtained from 74.5 GHz to 80.5 GHz with a peak 21 dB at 79 GHz. The prototype delivered 13.2 dBm output-referred 1 dB compression point and 14.3 dBm saturated output power when operated from a single 3.3 V supply at 75 GHz.