A Dual Channel SMT Packaged PA for 26 GHz 5G

Many mm-wave 5G components are now under development, aiming to address the potential requirements of future 5G systems. The key candidate frequency bands for mm-wave 5G across the globe are becoming evident. In Europe the Radio Spectrum Policy Group (RSPG) has identified the 26 GHz Band (24.25 to 27.5GHz) as the ‘Pioneer Band’ for mm-wave 5G. This article describes the development of a dual channel Power Amplifier (PA) housed in a custom laminate SMT package that covers the full 26 GHz 5G band. The PA MMIC was designed by Plextek RFI; it offers a gain of 22dB with an RF output power of 26dBm at P-1dB and a PAE of 30%. The laminate packaged dual band component was developed in collaboration with Filtronic with support from the UK’s Compound Semiconductor Applications Catapult (CSA Catapult). Details of the design, implementation and measured performance of both the MMIC and the dual channel packaged component are presented in the paper.