Epitaxial Layer Design for High Performance GaAs pHEMT SPDT MMIC Switches

Abstract

From a hydrodynamic device simulation for the pseudomorphic high electron mobility transistors (pHEMTs), we observe an increase of maximum extrinsic transconductance and a decrease of source-drain capacitances. This gives rise to an enhancement of the switching speed and isolation characteristics as the upper-to-lower planar-doping ratios (UTLPDR) increase. On the basis of simulation results, we fabricate single-pole-double-throw transmitter/receiver monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) switches with the pHEMTs of two different UTLPDRs (4:1 and 1:2). The MMIC switch with a 4:1 UTLPDR shows about 2.9 dB higher isolation and approximately 2.5 times faster switching speed than those with a 1:2 UTLPDR.