**HMC1096LP3E: A 6W Ka-Band Power Amplifier for Advanced SATCOM and 5G Systems**

The relentless drive for higher data throughput in modern communication systems is pushing the operational frequencies into the millimeter-wave (mmWave) spectrum. **The Ka-band (26.5 – 40 GHz) has emerged as a critical frontier** for both next-generation satellite communications (SATCOM) and the deployment of high-capacity 5G networks. Succeeding in this demanding space requires power amplifiers (PAs) that deliver exceptional linearity, efficiency, and power density. The **HMC1096LP3E stands out as a premier monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) solution** engineered to meet these stringent challenges.

This GaAs-based pseudomorphic high-electron-mobility transistor (pHEMT) power amplifier is designed to deliver **exceptional saturated power output of 6W (37.8 dBm)** across a broad Ka-band frequency range. This high output power is paramount for overcoming path loss in both terrestrial 5G mmWave links and satellite downlink transmissions. A key feature of the HMC1096LP3E is its **impressive power-added efficiency (PAE) of up to 30%**, which directly translates to reduced power consumption and thermal load—a critical factor for space-constrained and power-sensitive active antenna arrays.

For modern digital modulation schemes like 256-QAM and 1024-QAM used in SATCOM and 5G, signal integrity is non-negotiable. The amplifier's **superior linearity performance ensures low distortion and adjacent channel power leakage (ACPR)**, which is vital for maintaining spectral efficiency and maximizing data rates. Its robust design incorporates on-chip matching networks, making it easy to integrate into multi-channel systems without extensive external circuitry. Housed in a compact, RoHS-compliant 4x4 mm leadless package, the HMC1096LP3E is ideally suited for **dense array configurations in phased-array antennas** for both ground terminals and satellite payloads.

In SATCOM applications, this amplifier is a perfect fit for high-speed data downlinks in low-earth orbit (LEO) and medium-earth orbit (MEO) constellations. In 5G infrastructure, it enables the high-power radio units necessary for fixed wireless access (FWA) and network backhaul, providing the essential link capacity for gigabit-speed connectivity.

**ICGOOODFIND:** The HMC1096LP3E is a high-performance, industry-leading Ka-band power amplifier that successfully bridges the demanding requirements of advanced SATCOM and 5G mmWave systems. Its potent combination of **high output power, excellent efficiency, and superior linearity** in an integrated form factor makes it an indispensable component for designers building the next generation of high-throughput communication infrastructure.

**Keywords:** Ka-Band Power Amplifier, SATCOM, 5G mmWave, High Linearity, Phased-Array Antenna.