Mimix Broadband Introduces Its First Totally Integrated GaAs pHEMT MMIC Receiver on a Single Chip

Single Chip Receiver is Ideal for Easy Design Implementation

April 4, 2001, Houston, Texas ­ Mimix Broadband announced today the introduction of a totally integrated Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) receiver on a single chip. This device is a three stage low noise amplifier (LNA) followed by an image reject fundamental mixer using Lange couplers to improve bandwidth. Using 0.15 micron gate length GaAs pseudomorphic high electron mobility transistor (pHEMT) device model technology, the receiver covers the 17 to 27 GHz frequency band. Furthermore, this receiver has a typical small signal conversion gain of 10 dB with a typical noise figure of 3.5 dB and 15 dB typical image rejection across the band.

This receiver, identified as XR1000, provides equipment designers with a highly integrated product to facilitate the design process and is well suited for wireless communications applications such as millimeter-wave point-to-point radio, local multipoint distribution services (LMDS), SATCOM and VSAT applications.

"By integrating the image reject mixer, the XR1000 allows good noise figure to be obtained over wide bandwidths without requiring image noise rejection filters between the LNA and the mixer," stated Jim Harvey, CTO of Mimix Broadband. "The wide bandwidth of the modified single balanced rat-race mixers is obtained through the use of Lange couplers to shorten the electrical length of the rat-race. The balanced mixers have good rejection of AM noise on the LO signal."

Mimix performs 100% on-wafer RF and DC testing on the XR1000, as well as 100% visual inspection to MIL-STD-883 method 2010. The chip also has surface passivation to protect and provide a rugged part with backside via holes and gold metallization to allow either a conductive epoxy or eutectic solder die attach process.

Engineering samples are available today from stock and production quantities are available within 10 to 12 weeks after order processing. Technical support is also available from Mimix's applications engineers at 281.988.4600. Additionally, please visit Mimix's website (www.mimixbroadband.com) for the XR1000 datasheet and additional product information.

About Mimix Broadband
Mimix Broadband designs, develops and markets high performance Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) monolithic microwave integrated circuits (MMICs) for broadband wireless access technologies at millimeter-wave frequencies. The Company leverages strategic partnerships for manufacturing in order to expedite the time-to-market cycle and meet market requirements. Backed by experienced, highly successful stakeholders, Mimix Broadband combines its expertise in overall radio system design to provide comprehensive insight in the technology and issues that its customers confront in designing their products.