Estimation of the accuracy of the microwave FET equivalent circuit using the quasi-hydrodynamic model of electron transport

•Microwave parameters are calculated by means of the 2D quasi-hydrodynamic model.•The same parameters are calculated by means of the FET equivalent circuit (EC).•These 2 suits of parameters are compared to get an estimation of the accuracy of EC.

Computational methods are considered for the time- and frequency-domain simulations of a microwave power amplifier with a transistor built on a diamond-like semiconductor. The first method is based only on a two-dimensional model of the intrinsic transistor that includes the quasi-hydrodynamic model of electron transport and electric field equations. The second method, which is less accurate but much more computer-time-saving, is based on the intrinsic transistor large-signal lumped-element equivalent circuit model with the parameters and spline characteristics calculated by means of the abovementioned two-dimensional model. Using these two methods, the microwave parameters of the amplifier are calculated for frequencies varying from 15 to 90 GHz. When using the equivalent circuit at frequencies of up to 60 GHz, the calculation error (equal to the difference between the results of the time- and frequency-domain simulations) does not exceed 5% for the input impedance and 0.6 dB for the transducer power gain.