Low noise amplifier for 180 GHz frequency band

Measurement of the humidity profile of the atmosphere is highly important for atmospheric science and weather forecasting. This sounding measurement is obtained at frequencies close to the resonance frequency of water molecules (183 GHz). We have designed and characterized a MMIC low noise amplifier that will increase the sensitivity of sounding instruments at these frequencies. This study demonstrated a factor of two improvement in MMIC LNA noise temperature at this frequency band. The measured packaged InP monolithic millimeter-wave integrated circuit (MMIC) amplifier had a noise temperature of NT=390 K (NF=3.7 dB). The circuit was fabricated in 35 nm InP high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) process.