A new approach, using electromagnetic analysis, is proposed for field-effec
t transistor model scaling and monolithic-microwave integrated-circuit (MMI
C) design. It Is based on an empirical distributed modeling technique where
the active de,ice is described in terms of an external passive structure c
onnected to a suitable number of internal active sections, On this basis, a
n equivalent admittance matrix per gate unit width is obtained which, as co
nfirmed by experimental results provided in this paper, is consistent with
simple scaling rules. The same technique can also be adopted for a "global
approach" to MMIC design where complex electromagnetic phenomena are also t
aken into account. An example of application concerning this aspect is pres
ented.