Novel miniature microwave quasi-elliptical function bandpass filters with wideband harmonic suppression

Filters are integral components in all wireless communication systems, and their function is to permit predefined band of frequencies into the system and reject all other signals. The ever-growing demand in the use of the radio frequency (RF) spectrum for new applications has resulted in the need for high performance microwave filters with strict requirements on both inband and out-of-band characteristics. High selectivity, high rejection, low loss and extremely wide spurious-free performance are required for both transmitter and receiver channels. In addition, these devices need to be highly compact, easy to integrate within transceivers and should be amenable to low cost manufacturing. High selectivity is essential to enable the guard band between adjacent channels to be reduced thus improving the efficiency of the RF spectrum and hence increasing the capacity of the system. A low insertion-loss, high return-loss and small group-delay in the passband are necessary to minimize signal degradation. A wide stopband is necessary to suppress spurious passbands outside the filter’s bandwidth that may allow spurious emissions from modulation process (harmonic, parasitic, intermodulation and frequency conversion products) and interfere with other systems. The EMC Directive 89/336/EEC mandates that all electronic equipment must comply with the applicable EN specification for EMI. This thesis presents the research work that has resulted in the development of innovative and compact microstrip bandpass filters that fulfil the above stringent requirements for wireless communication systems. In fact, the proposed highly compact planar microstrip filters provide an alternative solution for existing and next generation of wireless communications systems. In particular, the proposed filters exhibit a low-loss and quasi-elliptic function response that is normally only possible with filter designs using waveguides and high temperature superconductors. The selectivity of the filters has been improved by inserting a pair of transmission zeros between the passband edges, and implementing notched rejection bands in the filter’s frequency response to widen its stopband performance. The filter structures have been analysed theoretically and modelled by using Keysight Technologies’ Advanced Design System (ADS™) and Momentum® software. The dissertation is essentially composed of four main sections. In the first section, several compact and quasi-elliptic function bandpass filter structures are proposed and theoretically analysed. Selectivity and stopband performance of these filters is enhanced by loading the input and output feed-lines with inductive stubs that introduce transmission zeros at specified frequencies in the filter’s frequency response. This technique is shown to provide a sharp 3-dB roll-off and steep selectivity skirt with high out-of-band rejection over a wide frequency span. In addition, the 3-dB fractional bandwidth of the filters is shown to be controllable by manipulating the filter’s geometric parameters. Traditional microwave bandpass filters are designed using quarter-wavelength distributed transmission-line resonators that are either end-coupled or side-coupled. The sharpness of the filter response is determined by the number of resonators employed which degrades the filter’s passband loss performance. This results in a filter with a significantly larger footprint which precludes miniaturization. To circumvent these drawbacks the second section describes the development of a novel and compact wideband bandpass filter with the desired characteristics. The quasi-elliptic function filter comprises open-loop resonators that are coupled to each other using a stub loaded resonator. The proposed filter is shown to achieve a wideband 3-dB fractional bandwidth of 23% with much better loss performance, sharp skirt selectivity and very wide rejection bandwidth. The third section describes the investigation of novel ultra-wideband (UWB) microstrip bandpass filter designs. Parametric study enabled the optimization of the filter’s performance which was verified through practical measurements. The proposed filters meet the stringent characteristics required by modern communications systems, i.e. the filters are highly compact and miniature even when fabricated on a low dielectric constant substrate, possess a sharp quasi-elliptic function bandpass response with low passband insertion-loss, and ultra-wide stopband performance. With the rapid development of multi-band operation in modern and next generation wireless communication systems, there is a great demand for single frequency discriminating devices that can operate over multiple frequency bands to facilitate miniaturization. These multi-band bandpass filters need to be physically small, have low insertion-loss, high return-loss, and excellent selectivity. In the fourth section two miniature microstrip dual-band and triple-band bandpass filter designs are explored. A detailed parametric study was conducted to fully understand how the geometric parameters of the filters affected their performance. The optimized filters were fabricated and measured to validate their performance

Novel Compact and High Selectivity Dual-band BPF with Wide Stopband

A novel type of compact and high selectivity dual-band bandpass filter (BPF) incorporating a dual-mode defected ground structure resonator (DDGSR) and a dual-mode open-stub loaded stepped impedance resonator (DOLSIR) is proposed in this paper. Utilizing capacitive source-load coupling and the intrinsic characteristics of the two types of dual-mode resonators, compact dual-band BPF with multi transmission zeros near the passband edges as well as a wide stopband which can be used to achieve high selectivity is realized. An experimental dual-band BPF located at 2.4 and 3.2 GHz was designed and fabricated. The validity of the design approach is verified by good agreement between simulated and measurement results

Compact and High Performance Dual-band Bandpass Filter Using Resonator-embedded Scheme for WLANs

A compact microstrip dual-band bandpass filter (DBBPF) with high selectivity and good suppression for wireless local area networks (WLANs) is proposed utilizing a novel embedded scheme resonator. Two passbands are produced by a pair of embedded half-wavelength meandered stepped-impedance resonator (MSIR) and a quadwavelength short stub loaded stepped-impedance resonator (SIR) separately. The resonator is fed by folded Tshaped capacitive source-load coupling microstrip feed line, and four transmission zeros are obtained at both sides of the bands to improve selectivity and suppression. Simultaneously, the size of the filter is extermely compact because embedding half-wavelength MSIR only changes the interior configuration of quad-wavelength SIR. To validate the design method, the designed filter is fabricated and measured. Both simulated and measured results indicate that good transmission property has been achieved

Novel Compact Three-Way Filtering Power Divider Using Net-Type Resonators

In this paper, we present a novel compact three-way power divider with bandpass responses. The proposed power divider utilizes folded net-type resonators to realize dual functions of filtering and power splitting as well as compact size. Equal power ratio with low magnitude imbalance is achieved due to the highly symmetric structure. For demonstration, an experimental three way filtering power divider is implemented. Good filtering and power division characteristics are observed in the measured results of the circuit. The area of the circuits is 14.5 mm x 21.9 mm or 0.16 λg x 0.24 λg, where the λg is the guide wavelength of the center frequency at 2.1 GHz

Design of High Performance Microstrip Dual-Band Bandpass Filter

This paper presents a new design of dual-band bandpass filters using coupled stepped-impedance resonators for wireless systems. This architecture uses multiple couple stubs to tune the passband frequencies and the filter characteristics are improved using defected ground structure (DGS) technique. Measurement results show insertion losses of 0.93 dB and 1.13 dB for the central frequencies of 2.35 GHz and 3.61 GHz, respectively. This filter is designed, fabricated and measured and the results of the simulation and measurement are in good agreement

Miniaturised and reconfigurable planar filters for ultra-wideband applications

An increasing demand for electromagnetic spectrum has resulted from the emergence of feature-rich and faster throughputs wireless applications. This necessitates the developments of dynamic reconfigurable or multifunctional systems to better exploit the existing spectrum. Future wireless devices will be expected to communicate over several bands with various other devices in order to fine tune the services they provide to the user. Each band may require a separate RF transceiver and such modern wireless multi-band multi-mode communication systems call for high performance, highly integrated compact modules. Since the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released the unlicensed frequency band 3.1-10.6 GHz for ultra-wideband (UWB) commercial communications, the development race for commercialising UWB technology has seen a dramatic increase around the world. The aim of this research is to develop reconfigurable planar microwave filters for ultrawideband applications. The project investigates some key design issues of reconfigurable filters, which are being observed constantly in the latest development and realisation of microwave filters. Both analytical and numerical methods are performed to construct a realistic and functional design. Two different types of frequency reconfigurability are investigated in this thesis: discrete (e.g. PIN diode, Optical switch) and continuous (e.g. varactor diode). Using the equivalent circuits and considering the direct coupled filter structure in most cases, several topologies with attractive features are developed for future communication systems. The proposed works may be broadly categorised into three sections as follows. The first section explores a square ring shape close loop resonator along with an opencircuited stub in the symmetry plane. To realise a reconfigurable frequency states within the same spectrum, an innovative approach is developed for this case. An optical or photoconductive switch, comprised of a silicon die activated using near infrared light is investigated as a substitute of PIN diode and performances are evaluated to compare the feasibilities. In addition, a in-band interference rejection technique via externally coupled Tshape resonator is shown. However, it is observed that both structures achieve significant size reductions by utilising the inner part of the resonators. To improve the filter selectivity, a convenient design approach generating a pair of transmission zeros between both passband edges and a single zero in the stop band for harmonic suppression is discussed in the second section. Moreover, the development of notched rejection bands are studied and several novel methods to create a single and multiple notched bands employing the square ring shape structure are proposed. On inspection, it is found that the notch structure can be implemented without deteriorating the filter performances. The discussions are supplemented with detailed design examples which are accompanied by theoretical, simulated and experimental results in order to illustrate the filter development process and showcase practical filter performance. The third section reveals a novel highly compact planar dual-mode resonator with sharp rejections characteristics for UWB applications. A bandwidth reconfiguring technique is demonstrated by splitting its even-mode resonance. Filter structure with the dual-mode resonator is shown to have a relatively wide tuning range, significantly low insertion loss and a constant selectivity along with frequency variations in comparison to similar published works. Finally, the earlier dual-mode structure are modified to realise a dual wideband behaviour. A detail analysis with comprehensive design procedures is outlined and a solution for controlling the frequency bandwidths independently according to the application interest is provided. In line with the previous section, experimental verification is presented to support and supplement the discussions

Recent Trends on Dual- and Triple-Band Microwave Filters for Wireless Communications

In the past few years, several designs of dual- and triple-band microwave filters satisfying various objectives have been proposed for wireless communication. Several designs are new concepts, whereas others are inspired from previous works. The development trends of these designs can be reviewed from this compilation of studies. This paper begins with an explanation of dual- and triple-band microwave filters, followed by a discussion on several designs in terms of size, measurement, performance, and technology use. Among various designs, microstrip band-pass filters are extensively used because of their simple design procedures and because they can be integrated into circuits easily. Furthermore, most researchers use low frequencies in their designs because of the demands of current wireless applications. Finally, designs are proposed to produce compact microwave filters with good performance

Investigation of dualband fan-shaped microstrip bandpass filter

In this study, design and simulation of microtrip bandpass filter is presented using RT/Duroid 6010.2 lm substrate. This filter has fan-shaped topology with small dimensions of 12x12 mm2, designed for dual band frequencies at 3.41 and 6.14 GHz. The insertion loss and return loss of initial band at 3.41 GHz are -0.7 and -38.224 dB respectively and its bandwidth ranged from 3.3561 to 3.48 GHz. On the other hand, for 2nd band at 6.14 GHz, the insertion loss and return loss have been -1.377 and -14 dB respectively with bandwidth ranged from 6.0951 to 6.1782 GHz

A Review on the Structure, Application and Performance of the Passive Microstrip Devices

Microstrip technology is widely applied for design and implementation of several communication devices such as filters, diplexers, triplexers, multiplexers, couplers, etc. They are utilized to isolate desired signals and remove disturbing signals. The layout of filters, diplexers and triplexers have two, three and four ports, respectively. Passive filters have at least one pass channel, whereas diplexers have at least two channels to transmit the desired signal, and multiplexers have more passbands with more channels. In order to implement the passive components, first a cell called resonator must be designed. Creativity is very important in resonator design. It must be small and novel to get a better device than previous works. Therefore, the layout of previous reported resonator, used in passive microstrip devices, are studied in this work. There is a fierce competition among designers to miniaturize and increase the device performance. Hence we will investigate them, from the point of view size and performance, in this work. Some diplexers are multi-channel, which are more difficult to design than two-channel diplexers. Therefore, the multi-channel diplexers are less reported than the two-channel diplexers. The design of multiplexers is also very difficult because several channels must be controlled. Hence, they are less designed than filters and diplexers. The diplexers can be bandpass-bandpass or lowpass-bandpass, where the latest is less designed. This is because designing a lowpass-bandpass diplexer needs lowpass and bandpass resonators, whereas the design of a bandpass-bandpass diplexer needs only a bandpass resonator

UWB Technology

Ultra Wide Band (UWB) technology has attracted increasing interest and there is a growing demand for UWB for several applications and scenarios. The unlicensed use of the UWB spectrum has been regulated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) since the early 2000s. The main concern in designing UWB circuits is to consider the assigned bandwidth and the low power permitted for transmission. This makes UWB circuit design a challenging mission in today's community. Various circuit designs and system implementations are published in this book to give the reader a glimpse of the state-of-the-art examples in this field. The book starts at the circuit level design of major UWB elements such as filters, antennas, and amplifiers; and ends with the complete system implementation using such modules