Clarification about Microwave integrated Circuits(MIC) and Monolithic MIC(MMIC)

[narayani]

What is difference between Microwave integrated circuits(MIC) and Monolithic Microwave integrated circuits(MMIC)
I have following doubts
(1) Which is chiefer in making and which is costlier in making
(2) How to connect ports to the MMIC PCB, because MMIC total size is itself mm or um.
(3) How to place components in MMIC technology.
(4) How to measure the S-parameters by connecting ports to MMIC because size of the MMIC is too small.

 

[BigBoss]

MMIC has almost the same technology with RFIC circuits.They are produced with IC techniques and standards.Processes are just different.
MIC is a bit old fashion technique and it's generally used for thin or thick film pretty integrated hybrid circuits.But it is absoultely not an integrated circuit because it consists of very small thin or thick film resistors,semiconductors ( transistors,diodes etc. ) are bonded to laminate or PCB,some components are lumped some are distributed etc. It's a kind of hybrid technology...

 

[narayani]

MIC is a bit old fashion technique

is it MIC obsolete. Some countries MMIC technology itself is not available. Which is chiefer in making MIC or MMIC. I have designed my circuit using MIC technology, if we want to convert same into MMIC , do we require lot of knowledge.

 

[davenn]

MMIC technology itself is not available

its still the current standard ... so must be a problem with whatever that country has access to ?