1. Different types of active components

MMICs include both active components such as diodes and transistors, and passive components such as resistors, capacitors, inductors, transmission lines, etc. Performance, in terms of operating frequency, noise, high-frequency power output and continuous power consumption, is largely technology-dependent. The choice of MMIC technology depends mainly on the specifications, the application and the cost.

Although the high-frequency characteristics of passive components have a major influence on those of MMICs, the type and technology of the transistors are decisive.

There are two types of transistor: field-effect transistors and bipolar transistors. Today, for MMIC production, field-effect transistors are mainly of the MOSFET (MetalOxideSemiconductor Field Effect Transistor) type for silicon dies and HEMT (High Electron Mobility Transistor)...