Multipoint Distribution System Research Articles

26–42 GHz SOI CMOS Low Noise Amplifier

A complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) single-stage cascode low-noise amplifier (LNA) is presented in this paper. The microwave monolithic integrated circuit (MMIC) is fabricated using digital 90-nm silicon-on-insulator (SOI) technology. All impedance matching and bias elements are implemented on the compact chip, which has a size of 0.6 mm /spl times/ 0.3 mm. The supply voltage and supply current are 2.4 V and 17 mA, respectively. At 35 GHz and 50 /spl Omega/ source/load impedances, a gain of 11.9 dB, a noise figure of 3.6 dB, an output compression point of 4 dBm, an input return loss of 6 dB, and an output return loss of 18 dB are measured. The -3-dB frequency bandwidth ranges from 26 to 42 GHz. All results include the pad parasitics. To the knowledge of the author, the results are by far the best for a silicon-based millimeter-wave LNA reported to date. The LNA is well suited for systems operating in accordance to the local multipoint distribution service (LMDS) standards at 28 and 38 GHz and the multipoint video distribution system (MVDS) standard at 42 GHz.

The Perth Educational Television Project

<span>The Perth Educational Television (PET) Project delivered educational television to schools in Perth during 1993 through a narrowcast system using Multipoint Distribution System (MDS) technology. A comprehensive program of 200 hours of television was delivered from Edith Cowan University and beamed through the metropolitan area of Perth in a trial project that investigated the potential of a pay TV service for education. This paper describes the context in which the PET Project was undertaken. It discusses the organisation and activity within the participating schools and investigates the value, potential and viability of future educational pay TV systems.</span>

Pay Television as a Mode of Distribution for Science Programming

This article examines the pay television industry, and the services being delivered by cable television, subscribers television, multi-point distribution systems, videocassette disc; and the direct-broadcast satellite. Although a variety of programming is currently available, interest was found for science material, especially when included as part of a cultural package. Also, interest was found among several cable service providers for inclusion of science programs within their offerings.