**HMC516LC5TR: A 6 to 26 GHz GaAs MMIC Medium Power Amplifier for Microwave Radio and VSAT Systems**

The relentless expansion of global connectivity demands robust and high-performance radio frequency (RF) components. At the heart of modern microwave communication and Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) systems lies a critical need for amplification that is both broadband and highly reliable. The **HMC516LC5TR**, a Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit (MMIC) medium power amplifier, is engineered to meet this exacting challenge, serving as a fundamental building block in next-generation infrastructure.

This amplifier is distinguished by its exceptionally wide operational bandwidth, covering a frequency range from **6 GHz to 26 GHz**. This vast spectrum allows a single component to support a multitude of applications, eliminating the need for multiple narrowband amplifiers and thereby simplifying design, reducing board space, and lowering overall system cost. Its core functionality provides a substantial **+22 dBm of saturated power** and **15 dB of large-signal gain**, ensuring signals are amplified effectively across the entire band with minimal distortion.

Fabricated using a high-performance **0.15 µm GaAs pHEMT process**, the HMC516LC5TR achieves an outstanding balance of power and efficiency. It delivers a typical output IP3 of +30 dBm, making it highly resilient to intermodulation distortion in dense signal environments—a common scenario in point-to-point radio links. The device is also designed for ease of integration, requiring a single positive supply of +5V and incorporating an on-chip bias network that ensures stable performance over temperature variations. Its leadless, surface-mount 5x5 mm QFN package is ideal for high-volume automated assembly.

The primary applications for this amplifier are in **microwave point-to-point radio systems** and **satellite communication platforms like VSAT**. In these systems, the HMC516LC5TR is ideally suited as a driver amplifier for high-power transmitters or as a final power amplifier in lower-power units, providing the critical link performance required for clear and reliable data transmission over long distances.

**ICGOOODFIND:** The HMC516LC5TR stands out as a superior solution for broadband high-frequency amplification. Its combination of wide bandwidth, high linearity, and robust power output in a compact, easy-to-use package makes it an indispensable component for designers aiming to push the boundaries of performance in modern microwave radio and satellite communication systems.

**Keywords:** GaAs MMIC, Medium Power Amplifier, Microwave Radio, VSAT Systems, Broadband Amplification.