GaAs integrated circuits for military/space applications

GaAs integrated circuits (ICs) are discussed, together with a review of their application in space and military systems. Properties of GaAs, silicon, and germanium materials are compared, noting that GaAs offers a speed performance advantage in the range of four to six over its counterparts. Core issues in the orderly development of GaAs IC technology are taken into account, as are various approaches for increasing the level of integration. It is concluded that although GaAs ICs will not replace Si ICs, they are expected to be used where the performance parameters exceed what can be done with silicon.