We are glad to announce that AMCAD has completed the installation of a new load pull measurement setup operating at V-band to test new power transistors made by United Monolithic Semiconductors.

Challenge to address

UMS is developing new technologies of RF power transistors, for V-band applications. In order to evaluate their performance for maximum power and efficiency, a load pull measurement bench capable of providing high-gamma load impedances in the probe reference plane was required.

Solution provided

Pre-validation of the bench perf

As a system integrator, AMCAD took in charge the responsibility of the power budget study, to select and resell the best RF measurement equipment needed to meet the desired specifications.

To address this need, Maury Microwave Nano5G nano-tuners were selected, mounted directly on RF GSG probes. Such tuners allow high reflection coefficients; up to 0.9 @ 60GHz at the Device Under Tests plane. These tuners embed bidirectional coupler enabling high accuracy measurements when combined with a VNA to measure input and output a&b waves.

As a Keysight Solution Partner, AMCAD also provided a PNA-X with relevant options for hybrid V-band load pull applications. This solution was completed by two Maury’s power amplifiers covering the 50GHz to 67GHz band, delivering a power up to 5W.

Our IVCAD load pull software solution was then used to qualify the overall bench performance with a transistor within AMCAD’s Lab. After this first acceptance process, the solution was then delivered as a turn-Key solution.

Thanks to the various optimizations, the maximum gain measurement error measured on a thru at 60GHz for a gamma reaching 0.85, for all phases (0-360°), was less than 0.25dB.

Final installation of the Bench installation at UMS

Indeed, the gain measurement on a thru is the most critical value in terms of validation in a non-50 Ohm measurement environment. A particular point of attention was the management of the flatness of the contact of the RF probe attached to the tuners on the calibration kit. Specific accessories were developed for this purpose.

By using this tool, UMS will be able to test new generations of GaN devices with high levels of confidence, and we are proud to be part of this journey.

About UMS

With major locations in both France and Germany and a network of sales offices and representatives supporting a global customer base, UMS has a key position as a strategic supplier to the European Defense and Space industries. UMS has a comprehensive offer based on the supply of either ASIC or catalogue products, primarily based on the Company’s internal III-V technologies and through the provision of a comprehensive foundry service, allowing customers to directly create their own product solutions. The full range of catalogue products from DC to 100GHz is based on GaAs, GaN, and SiGe technologies and encompasses power amplifiers up to 200W, mixed signal functions, very low noise amplifiers, and complete transceiver systems. These products are offered in either die form, packaged, or as a multichip module. Our in-house GaAs and GaN processes provide the technology platform to allow the design of our leading edge products and form the basis of our foundry service offer to external design centers. Continuous innovation is at the heart of UMS’ continuing success. UMS has strong relationships with many of the major R&D centers and Universities throughout Europe, and actively participates in many advanced and collaborative developments to create the technologies and products needed for future markets.

For more information, please visit www.ums-rf.com

About AMCAD Engineering

AMCAD Engineering aspires to be a leader in the development of RF/microwave test and device characterization solutions providing modeling and design CAD tools, test products, and custom test systems. AMCAD believes the link between measurement science and device modeling is critical to improving the current state of the circuit and RF system design flows. By providing improved test, characterization and modeling solutions, AMCAD’s customers benefit from our 20 years of experience delivering time and cost-efficient solutions to the RF and microwave industry leaders.