**HMC440QS16GE: A High-Performance GaAs pHEMT MMIC Low-Noise Amplifier for 24 - 44 GHz Applications**

The relentless drive for higher data rates and greater bandwidth in modern communication and radar systems has pushed operational frequencies into the Ka-band and beyond. In this demanding landscape, the **HMC440QS16GE** stands out as a premier solution, engineered to deliver exceptional performance as a **monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) low-noise amplifier (LNA)**. Fabricated on an advanced **Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) pseudomorphic High Electron Mobility Transistor (pHEMT)** process, this amplifier is specifically designed for applications spanning **24 to 44 GHz**.

**Unparalleled Performance Characteristics**

The core function of any LNA is to amplify extremely weak signals while introducing a minimal amount of self-generated noise. The HMC440QS16GE excels in this regard, boasting an outstanding **noise figure of just 2.0 dB** across a significant portion of its bandwidth. This low noise figure is critical for enhancing receiver sensitivity, ensuring that even the faintest signals can be detected and processed effectively.

Complementing its low-noise performance is its impressive **high gain capability of 22 dB**. This substantial gain helps to suppress the noise contribution from subsequent stages in the receiver chain, thereby improving the overall signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the entire system. Furthermore, the amplifier maintains excellent **linearity**, with an output third-order intercept point (OIP3) of +26 dBm, allowing it to handle strong interfering signals without significant distortion.

**Robust Design and Integration**

Housed in a compact, RoHS-compliant **4x4 mm QSOP16 surface-mount package**, the HMC440QS16GE is designed for ease of integration into sophisticated multi-chip modules (MCMs) and printed circuit boards (PCBs). Its **MMIC design** ensures high reliability and repeatability, eliminating the performance variations often associated with discrete transistor amplifiers. The device also features DC blocking capacitors on both RF input and output ports, simplifying the external biasing circuitry required. It operates from a single positive supply, typically between +3V and +5V, drawing a modest 80 mA of current.

**Key Application Areas**

The combination of wide bandwidth, high gain, and low noise makes this amplifier incredibly versatile. Its primary applications include:

* **Point-to-Point and Point-to-Multi-Point Radios:** For 5G millimeter-wave backhaul infrastructure and high-speed wireless links.

* **Military and Aerospace Electronics:** Including phased array radar systems, electronic warfare (EW), and satellite communications (SATCOM) terminals.

* **Test and Measurement Equipment:** Serving as a crucial front-end component in spectrum analyzers and signal generators for the Ka-band.

* **Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT)** systems.

**ICGOOODFIND**

The HMC440QS16GE is a state-of-the-art MMIC LNA that sets a high bar for performance in the 24 to 44 GHz frequency range. Its exceptional blend of **low noise figure, high gain, and robust linearity** makes it an indispensable component for designers building next-generation high-frequency systems where signal integrity is paramount.

**Keywords:**

MMIC

Low-Noise Amplifier (LNA)

GaAs pHEMT

24 - 44 GHz

Noise Figure