Performance Amelioration of 2x4 and 3x4 Matrix Amplifiers

Some considerable factors for optimizing the signal and noise performances of a matrix amplifier for broadband applications have been discussed. It is shown that proper loading of both external (i.e. input and output)lines and also the middle electrodes improves the device performances. Besides, due to discrepancy between the phase velocities of different lines, the capacitive compensation of these electrodes has a considerable influence on the behavior of the device. Also it is shown that using a tier of HBTs at the output of the matrix amplifier is effective in increasing the power gain of the device. The proposed technique is applicable in improving the performance of Microwave and mmwave ICs.