Optimizing Performance at Every Step

mmTron’s products begin with selecting the semiconductor technology needed to achieve disruptive performance. Our portfolio includes GaAs, GaN, InP, and SiGe from the leading foundries. We don’t just use the foundry’s standard process, however. We often specify our own epitaxial material to optimize performance. We also ensure the foundry processes meet the reliability and qualification requirements for the application, including space qualification.

Once we have selected the semiconductor technology, we craft device models and simulate the circuit performance to ensure the fabricated IC will mirror the modeled performance. mmTron’s designers have expertise in advanced nonlinear device modeling, electromagnetic simulation, stability analysis, thermal and mechanical analysis, and optimizing the interface from the MMIC to the package or external circuitry. These capabilities are essential to achieve disruptive performance at mmWave.

During wafer fabrication, the foundry tests device and circuit performance on-wafer in addition to standard monitoring of process parameters. Once at mmTron, the MMIC designs are fully characterized to verify the performance mirrors the simulation. Once a design is released for production, all devices are tested and visually inspected.

Space Qualification

Nearly all mmTron’s GaN, GaAs and InP MMICs can be space qualified to MIL-PRF-38534 Class K and MIL-PRF-38535 Class S. Screening can be performed on die and packaged die, both hermetic and non-hermetic.

A typical qualification flow includes
— Visual inspection to MIL-STD-883 Method 2010B Class S,
— 100% element electrical RF test, and
— Wafer lot qualification testing per the requirements of MIL-PRF-38534 for MMIC devices.

On-wafer testing and visual inspection are conducted in a Class 100 cleanroom using laminar flow hoods. Lot acceptance testing is performed internally or using subcontractors with space qualification capabilities and experience.

mmTron’s Simulation Tools

— Keysight ADS, Cadence® Virtuoso®, Keysight GoldenGate, and AWR Microwave Office® circuit simulators
— ANSYS HFSS, Keysight EMPro and Momentum, CST Studio Suite®, and Sonnet® EM field simulators
— Keysight Spectrasys and AWR® VSS system simulators
— Keysight IC-CAP device modeling
— Silvaco device epi design