RF mimic

[G8DLH]

Is there anyone here who can please tell me what a "RF mimic" is and what it does?
Thank you.

[Jim, W5JO]

http://stinet.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA242266

[KM5TZ]

RF mimic is short for "monolithic microwave integrated circuit" - it is basically a microwave circuit on a chip. That is; microstrip and semiconductors implemented together on a single die (usually Gallium Arsenide - GaAs). Typical functions are a multistage amplifier or an amplifier and mixer. Mostly used above 10GHz. Below 10GHZ it is more cost effective to implement the microstrip (matching) on printed circuit and use GaAs only for the active elements (transistors).

David
KM5TZ

[Bacon, WA3WDR]

Yes - it's RF MMIC, not mimic.  Google RF MMIC, and you'll get a flood.

[G8DLH]

Thanks guys!
A job vacancy caught my eye which, in print, referred, to "RF MIMICS".
I thought: "Wassat?"
Now I know. 

[WA1GFZ]

Many MMICs low frequency limit is based on the value of the input and output cap value. Go to Mini - Circuits and look at their parts....and usually pretty cheap.
Parts with built in caps have low frequency specs. Also these parts are set up for 50 ohm input and output Z. Very easy to use. The hardest part is selecting the one you want.

[WU2D]

All MMICs are RFICs but all RFIC's are not MIMICS. And then there are IFIC's like the AD608 or the NE605.

RF Hybrids are not technically MMIC's since they are not monolithic even though they employ monolithic IC chips - they are arguably RFIC's however because they are "integrated circuits".

RF-MEMS could be MMICS if they work at microwave frequencies.

What the hell am I talking about? No wonder we are all confused.

Mike WU2D 

[G8DLH]

Thanks Mike -

"All MMICs are RFICs - but all RFIC's are not MMICS.
And then there are IFIC's
RF-MEMS could be MMICS

What the hell am I talking about?
No wonder we are all confused."

Quite.
The abbreviations are confusing - especially as to where to draw a dividing line.
Now I'm OK with those abbreviations . . . . except for "RF-MEMS" 

Al / G8DLH

[WU2D]

Al,

Nice to see you here on the AM forum. There are a lot of great and sometimes crazy discussions which go on here. MEMS - Micro Electro Mechanical Systems.

MEMS is a what if? technology. What if you could make all of your favorite precision mechanical devices such as accelerometers, gyros, relays, motors, variable capacitors and microphones using a repeatable low cost method? That method is monolithic integrated circuit technology. Thats right - machines on chips. Machines that you print like tee shirts.

One of many MEMS devices which are being made is the microwave relay. This is not a semiconductor - Well it has semiconductors such as the driver logic and power control on the chip, but the actual switching is done with moving parts - it is a real mechanical device on a chip. The airbag sensors in your car are MEMS.

Analog Devices was one pioneer See http://www.analog.com/en/cat/0,2878,764,00.html

Cool stuff

Mike WU2D

[G8DLH]

Mike -

Thanks for that ~ MEMS.

Like most people who have some involvement with electronics professionally, I am aware that clever electronic devices are popping up in all sorts of unexpected places these days. But I didn't realise that these was a specific "group name " for such devices- such as MEMS, MMICs, etc.

But that's "electronics" for you, these days, isn't it? When I started in this game 35+ years back, if you were an "electronics engineer", you were expected to know a fair bit about almost anything "electronic" - and be a "master" at several branches of the science. Not so these days - the field is now so wide that everyone has to become a niche specialist to survive: my current line of work is in the VHF broadcast field. Up to a few years ago it was IT / HW maintenance- but it all got too software-based for me, so I pulled out.

You know where you are with hardware: Ohm's Law gives you the answer 99% of the time! And when that fails, use the "test equipment" that the Almighty gave you!

Cheers.

Al / G8DLH

[G8DLH]

Well it's gone all quiet on this Topic now, so I'll just say "thanks, guys" for all your inputs: my original Q. has been very satisfactorily answered.
Incidentally, I've just applied for the job in which I first saw the word "MIMIC".
So, keeping fingers crossed . . . . .

Al / G8DLH