To complement its power amplifier MMICs for satellite communications, mmTron is fabricating two ultra-low noise amplifier MMICs with super-low power dissipation.

The TMC173 is designed to cover the 17.3 to 21.2 GHz downlink band, providing an extremely low 1.2 dB noise figure and 23 dB gain. Biased with a single supply of +3 V on the drain, the MMIC draws only 17 mA — just 51 mW power dissipation.

The TMC174 is designed to cover the 27 to 31 GHz uplink band, also providing an ultra-low 1.5 dB noise figure with 21 dB gain. Biased with a single supply of +2 V on the drain, the MMIC draws only 15 mA — just 30 mW power dissipation.

Both MMICs are being fabricated on a GaAs pHEMT process that has been space qualified for satellites in geostationary and lower Earth orbits, i.e., GEO, MEO, and LEO. They will be available as die or in ceramic air-cavity QFN packages, the TMC173 in a 3 mm x 3 mm QFN, the TMC174 in a 4 mm x 4 mm.

The specifications for the MMICs are available on mmTron’s website at mmtron.com/products/.

mmTron is accepting pre-orders from companies wishing to evaluate the MMICs. If interested, please contact mmTron at contact@mmtron.com.