Modern Microwave Transistors - Theory, Design and Performance

Frank Schwierz and Juin J. Liou
Wiley Interscience
486 pages; $89.95
ISBN: 0-471-41778-5


Microwave transistors are the backbone of modern microwave systems. In recent years they have undergone an impressive evolution, where continuous research efforts have made transistors faster and more powerful. The purpose of this book is to provide the material necessary for understanding the physics, operation, design and performance of microwave transistors. This includes different transistor structures, analysis of transistor behavior and design guidelines. The book also covers the relevant basics of semiconductor physics so that a course in this field is not a prerequisite.

Chapter 1 deals with the evolution of microwave semiconductors and highlights important past and future trends of their development. Basic transistor structures and commonly used figures of merit are introduced and the status of microwave transistors in the early 2000s is reviewed. Chapters 2 and 3 provide the technical background that is indispensable for understanding the operation and analysis of transistors. This includes both basic semiconductor device physics and different aspects of heterojunctions, which are widely used in advanced microwave transistors. Chapters 3 to 8 address different types of microwave transistors currently in use or in development. Subsequently, MESFETs, HEMTs, silicon MOSFETs, conventional bipolar transistors (BJT) and heterojunction bipolar transistors (HBT) are discussed in a unified manner. The five transistor chapters have identical structure and organization, thus enabling the reader to compare and assess the differences and relative merits of different transistor types. In each chapter, the basic structure and operation of the corresponding transistor type is explained first. Then, DC, small signal, noise and power behavior are analyzed. The focus of the book is on the physical understanding of operation and design of microwave transistors. Thus, the main emphasis is physics-based, while the field of modeling is intentionally excluded. Each chapter closes with advanced transistor structures, design issues and a description of the state-of-the-art performance.

To order this book, contact: John Wiley & Sons Inc., One Wiley Drive, Somerset, NJ 08875 (800) 225-5945.

Microwave Component Mechanics

Harri Eskelinen and Pekka Eskelinen
Artech House Inc.
368 pages; $89, £62
ISBN: 1-58053-368-X

With the advent of sophisticated semiconductors processes and planar circuit technologies, the size of microwave circuits has been reduced tremendously. Nevertheless, these miniature microwave circuits must be interfaced with the real world and there is still a need for microwave mechanics. This book discusses four important areas of microwave mechanics and is aimed at two distinct audiences. The reader may be a microwave engineer who wants to adapt his work to the possibilities and limitations of the mechanical manufacturing processes, tools and materials. Alternatively, a mechanical engineer can benefit from the various examples of microwave designs, in which the common practices and rules of his specialty might not give the optimum results. The importance of a live connection between the two scientific paths - the electrical and the mechanical one - is stressed in getting the best possible results at the lowest cost. Typical design procedures and novel design examples are explained.

In Part 1, devoted to the design for manufacturability and assembly of mechanical microwave components, the special requirements of microwave mechanics are discussed, including material selection, technical documentation and dimensioning, and effects of production volume. Part 2 describes manufacturing technologies for some passive microwave components. It includes welded components and other joining technologies, machined components, cutting and forming processes as well as coating.

In Part 3, examples of requirements for mechanical accessories in microwave assemblies are given. They include a microwave measurement system for wood quality and antenna construction. Part 4, Test Arrangements and Results of Microwave Components Manufactured with Alternative Technologies, discusses mechanical measuring equipment, how to select microwave test instrumentation and gives examples of practical test set-ups.

A CD-ROM, attached to the book, contains most of the test case prototype drawings. It also provides full 3-D CAD models with appropriate 2-D documents of each design example.

To order this book, contact: Artech House Inc., 685 Canton St., Norwood, MA 02062 (781) 769-9750 ext. 4030; or 46 Gillingham St., London SW1V 1HH UK +44 (0) 207 596-8750.