Under the contract Q-DOT will develop a single-chip, 43.5 -- 45.5 GHz Low Noise Amplifier/Downconverter (LNA/DC) in IBM's advanced 8HP Silicon Germanium (SiGe) technology for use in phased array antennas for the Transformational Satellite (TSAT). Primary design goals for the LNA/DC include a maximum noise figure of 3 dB and a nominal gain of 50 dB.
The single-chip implementation will reduce the size, weight, and power of the LNA/DC compared to the multi- chip hybrid approaches currently used, which is critical for on-board satellite applications.
In addition to TSAT, the LNA/DC will directly benefit other future MILSATCOM systems operating in the 43.5 -- 45.5 GHz band. This development will also serve as a launch pad into various wireless commercial applications such as Local Multipoint Distribution Service (LMDS), Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT), and point-to-point millimeter-wave radio.