Future applications and limitations for digital GaAs IC technology

A review of digital GaAs IC technology and an assessment of its future impact on gigabit signal processing is presented. Military electronics systems will require MSI-complexity interface circuits capable of 1 to 10 GHz clock frequencies and LSI-complexity digital circuits operating in the 0.2 to 2 GHz range at tens of microwatts per gate. A wide range of applications exists for frequency counters, multiplexers, A/D converters, FFTs, microprocessors and memories that operate at speeds significantly higher than presently available circuits. Issues related to high-speed IC design such as power dissipation, packing density, capacitance effects, and intra- and inter-chip propagation delays are discussed. Emerging alternative technologies such as HEMTs, and heterojunction bipolar GaAs transistors are assessed.