Novel techniques for improving the performance of MESFET power amplifiers.

This thesis describes the research activities that have been investigated for improving the 3rd order intermodulation distortion products (IM3) and power added efficiency (PAE) and bandwidth performance of microwave GaAs MESFET power amplifiers. Two novel circuit techniques, one for improving the 3dB bandwidth performance and the other for improving the IM3 and PAE performance, were proposed and verified through simulation and practical measurements. The technique of including lumped elements matching networks within the package encapsulation (Close-to-Chip lumped element matching) of a 2GHz MESFET device is described for the first time. Simulation results showed that the amplifier using this technique had a 3dB bandwidth 3 times wider than the amplifier with Off-Chip distributed element matching. The linearity and efficiency performance of a 2GHz MESFET was improved significantly by presenting a difference frequency shunt short-circuit termination across the drain terminal. A 16dB reduction in IM3 and an improvement of 4% in PAE performance was measured on the bench. Success with this technique was further demonstrated with digitally modulated signals

Flying Geese In Asia: The Impacts of Japanese MNCs as a Source of Industrial Learning

Pacific Asia has looked to direct foreign investment (DFI) to achieve economic growth and technological catch-up, and Japanese multinational corporations (MNCs) have responded massively. This paper evaluates Japanese MNCs as a source of industrial learning and technological transfer in the region, drawing from a large research literature and from the authors' own surveys of Japanese DFI in the electronics sector. Japan's historic learning-based approach to industrialisation is captured by the flying geese metaphor of structural transformation. As an explanation of the transfer of technological know-how from Japan to Pacific Asia, however, the flying geese model is problematical. This paper reflects on the effectiveness, problems and dilemmas of Japanese MNCs in transferring such know-how to the region from a political economy perspective summarised as a 'reverse product cycle model'. This model portrays DFI as a 'bargain' between Japanese MNCs and host countries, and which becomes more difficult to negotiate as DFI moves from low-skilled manufacturing to more innovative activities. The bases for this hypothesis relate to the increased complexity of industrial know-how and the conflicting motivations between MNCs and host countries in early stages of the product life cycle. In practice, however, this 'bargain' has developed differently among Asian countries, and we illustrate these differences by comparing the experiences of South Korea, Taiwan and Malaysia. Copyright (c) 2004 by the Royal Dutch Geographical Society KNAG.