QUINSTAR TECHNOLOGY, INCORPORATED — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: AF161-146

Description

ABSTRACT: QuinStar Technology proposes to develop a low noise amplifier (LNA) for SATCOM downlinks operating at 71-76 GHz with an optimized noise figure (NF), enhanced linearity, and reduced power consumption. We will accomplish this by utilizing a combination of state-of-the-art device technology and innovative circuit techniques. First, we plan to utilize advanced sub-100nm gate InP HEMT or mHEMT device technology to realize a MMIC noise figure of 1.5 dB at 76 GHz. This 1.5 dB noise figure is necessary to account for packaging losses and temperature effects. While we have been working with leading semiconductor foundries, during Phase I we will evaluate their status and select one as our Phase II partner. Secondly, we are proposing to utilize a cascode circuit configuration to improve the amplifier linearity, and bias the amplifier stages in series (current reuse) to reduce power consumption. Neither one of these techniques has been attempted before at these frequencies. Simulations described in this proposal indicate that with these innovative techniques, we can simultaneously improve the amplifier linearity while reducing the power consumption. In fact, simulations indicate that we can reduce IM products by 20 dB or more with a total power consumption of only 25 mW.; BENEFIT: Anticipated Benefits:The primary application for this technology is the E-band military communications system currently under development by the Air Force. This system is required to handle the large amounts of airborne intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (AISR) data, command and control information at high data rates, and a large number of communication channels in support of many aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that are envisioned in the future. Specifically, the low noise amplifier technology described in this proposal is in support of ground-based SATCOM receivers operating at 71-76 GHz for this communications system.Commercial Applications:In addition to ground-based SATCOM applications, this low-noise technology can be applied to space-based applications, including broadband RF cross-link communications in constellations, as well as airborne, including very high altitude long duration reconnaissance UAV, and terrestrial applications. Specific examples include the Joint Arial Layered Network (JALN), the ICD effort from STRATCOM and AISR. Further, this low noise MMIC technology can be readily applied to other military missions at adjacent frequencies, such as W-band (75-110 GHz). QuinStar is currently producing the mmW front-end for the AARGM missile, and the low noise technology developed on this program is directly applicable to the AARGM program. Other applications include V/E/W-band low noise front ends for aircraft/helicopter radar landing systems, NASA Earth science applications, UAVs, and various military communication systems. Current technologies (primarily GaAs based) cannot produce the low noise performance and/or the linearity that these systems require.