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

Design and Performance of Microstrip Diplexers: A Review

The radiofrequency microstrip diplexers are widely demanded nowadays by modern wireless communication systems. Hence, several types of previously reported microstrip diplexers are reviewed and investigated in this work. Microstrip diplexers are three ports devices used for separating desired signals and delivering them through two (or more) different channels. The diplexers are investigated in three categories of dual-channel bandpass-bandpass diplexers, multichannel diplexers, and lowpassbandpass diplexers. The investigated multi-channel diplexers include a number of four-channel, six-channel, and eight-channel diplexers. Due to the hard design process, the number of reported diplexers with more than four channels is limited. The layout structures and theory design methods of the previously reported diplexers are studied. Moreover, their size and performance are compared while some explanations about their advantages and disadvantages are presented. This comparison includes insertion loss, return loss, fractional bandwidths, isolation, selectivity, and gaps between channels

Full-wave characterization of bi-dimensional cavities and its application to the design of waveguide filters and multiplexers

[EN] Modern communications systems impose stringent requirements on the equipment that operates at microwave frequency, especially in the case of wireless communications. The design of passive components for these applications is contingent upon the availability of accurate electromagnetic (EM) modeling tools that can efficiently handle the complex geometry of these components. Despite the widespread use of mesh-based general-purpose computer-aided engineering (CAE) tools to perform final design verifications, their application during the optimization process is limited. Optimum designs require a large number of simulations, which are computationally expensive when performed by general purpose tools. Instead, microwave designers prefer to employ faster software tools tailored to specific geometries, such as waveguide components, multilayered structures, etc. Therefore, the development of faster and more efficient specialized EM tools has a direct impact on the design of microwave components, both quantitatively and qualitatively. Increasingly complex geometries are modeled more accurately, and may be incorporated into novel designs without penalizing development time and its associated costs. By doing so, passive components become more advanced and are able to fulfill stricter requirements. At the same time, new research and development opportunities arise in order to address the challenges posed by these advanced structures. The present thesis is focused on a specific type of waveguide cavity geometry: bi-dimensional structures of arbitrary shape. Most microwave components based on rectangular waveguides include these elements (bends, T-junctions, tapers, power-dividers, etc.), thus the scope of this work is wide. To characterize these structures, an efficient full-wave modal formulation is developed. Taking into account common properties of bi-dimensional structures, such as its electromagnetic symmetry, the resulting technique is very efficient and accurate. Thanks to the integration of this formulation into a CAE tool, a designer is able to solve complex systems that combine this type of element with components of vastly different shapes. The developed formulation is first applied to the analysis and design of passive components, such as filters, multiplexers and orthomode transducers. These examples are employed to validate the results, as well as to demonstrate the improvement that the proposed analysis technique represents over well-known commercial EM packages. Likewise, this formulation is combined with the tool SPARK3D to predict RF breakdown (multipactor and corona) in selected bi-dimensional structures. Then, novel implementations of waveguide quasi-elliptic filters, based on the interconnection of bi-dimensional cavities, are proposed. Special attention is paid to the realization of multiple transmission zeros (TZs) with tuning-less compact structures. First, a novel family of filters, known as hybrid-folded rectangular waveguide structures, is studied. Simple and flexible methods to prescribe the location of the transmission zeros realized by these structures are presented. Practical aspects related to their physical implementation are also discussed. Secondly, a compact and purely capacitive obstacle, capable of realizing multiple TZs, is presented and discussed. In both cases, multiple examples are given to illustrate the step-by-step process involved in the design of these structures. Finally, a systematic procedure for the design of wideband manifold-coupled multiplexers is proposed. To preven the generation of undesired resonances, stubs that connect the filters to the manifold are removed. Likewise, the manifold length is kept as short as possible. Following a simple procedure, based on analytical formulas and EM simulations, a good starting point for the final optimization of these structures is obtained. It has been applied to a wideband quadruplexer for passive intermodulation measurement at C-band.[ES] Actualmente, los sistemas de comunicaciones imponen unos requisitos muy estrictos sobre el equipamiento en la banda de microondas. El diseño de estos componentes está supeditado, frecuentemente, a la disponibilidad de herramientas de modelado electromagnético (EM) que sean capaces de analizar geometrías complejas. A pesar del amplio uso de herramientas CAE (computer-aided engineering) de propósito general para la verificación final de prototipos, su potencial aplicación durante el proceso de diseño es limitada. Los diseños óptimos exigen realizar una gran cantidad de simulaciones EM. Dado que las simulaciones con estas técnicas tienen un alto coste computacional, los diseñadores suelen optar por emplear herramientas software especializadas en las estructuras que diseñan. Por tanto, el desarrollo de nuevas herramientas más precisas y eficientes ayudará a reducir el tiempo de diseño de estos productos, y con ello los costes asociados. Además, permitirá abrir nuevas líneas de investigación para responder a los retos que plantean geometrías cada vez más complejas. Esta tesis se centra en el desarrollo de una herramienta de análisis EM para un tipo concreto de estructuras: cavidades bidimensionales de sección arbitraria. Es habitual encontrar este tipo de estructuras en la mayoría de componentes implementados en guía rectangular. Por tanto, el rango de aplicación de la teoría desarrollada en esta tesis es muy amplio. En concreto, se ha desarrollado una nueva formulación basada en métodos modales que permite realizar una caracterización de onda completa de estas estructuras de forma eficiente y precisa. Al aprovechar su simetría geométrica y electromagnética, la herramienta desarrollada puede minimizar los cálculos a realizar, consiguiendo grandes velocidades de computación pero manteniendo una alta precisión. Gracias a la integración de esta formulación dentro de una herramienta CAE basada en métodos modales, se ofrece la posibilidad a los diseñadores de resolver sistemas muy complejos que combinan este tipo de cavidades con otros componentes de geometrías distintas. Esta formulación se aplica, en primer lugar, al análisis y diseño de componentes pasivos comunes, tales como filtros, multiplexores y OMTs. Estos ejemplo validan la herramienta desarrollada, y demuestran la significativa mejora que supone el uso de esta nueva técnica con respecto a otros paquetes software de análisis electromagnético. Asimismo, al combinar esta formulación con la herramienta SPARK3D se abre la posibilidad de predecir la aparición de fenómenos de descarga de alta potencia en determinadas estructuras bidimensionales. A continuación, se proponen nuevas formas de implementar filtros cuasi-elípticos basados en la interconexión de cavidades bi-dimensionales. Se hace especial hincapié en la realización de múltiples ceros de transmisión mediante estructuras compactas que no requieran sintonía. Por una parte se estudian los filtros hybrid-folded rectangular waveguide. Este trabajo incluye una discusión en profundidad sobre distintas implementaciones de este tipo de filtros. En ella se consideran aspectos prácticos relacionados con su uso e implementación física, que ofrecen al diseñador unos criterios claros para elegir la estructura que más se ajuste a sus especificaciones. Por otra parte se presenta un nuevo obstáculo de naturaleza capacitiva muy compacto, que permite la realización de múltiples ceros de transmisión incluso en estructuras en línea. En ambos casos se incluyen ejemplos de aplicación y se describe la metodología seguida para su diseño. Finalmente, se expone un procedimiento sistemático para diseñar multiplexores de banda ancha. Para prevenir la generación de resonancias indeseadas se evitan, en la medida de lo posible, las interconexiones mediante tramos cortos de guía. Siguiendo una metodología simple se consigue un excelente punto inicial para su optimización. La te[CA] Els actuals sistemes de comunicacions sense fils imposen uns requisits molt estrictes sobre l'equipament de la banda de microones. El disseny d'aquests components està supeditat, frequentment, a la disponibilitat de ferramentes de modelatge electromagèntic (EM) que siguen capaços de gestionar geometries complexes. Tot i l'ampli ús de ferramentes CAE (computer-aided engineering) de propòsit general per a la verificació final de prototips, la seua aplicació durant el procés de disseny és limitada. Els dissenys òptims exigeixen realitzar una gran quantitat de simulacions. Les simulacions amb aquestes tècniques tenen un alt cost computacional, per tant els dissenyadors solen optar per utilitzar ferramentes software especialitzades en les estructures que dissenyen. Per tant, el desenvolupament de noves tècniques d'anàlisi més precises i eficients ajudarà a reduir el temps de desenvolupament d'aquests productes, i dels seus costos associats. A més permetrà obrir noves línies d'investigació per respondre els reptes que plantegen geometries cada vegada més complexes. Aquesta tesi es centra en el desenvolupament d'una ferramenta d'anàlisi EM per a un tipus concret d'estructures: cavitats bidimensionals de forma arbitraria. És habitual trobar aquestes estructures en la majoria de components implementats en guia rectangular. Per tant, l'àmbit d'aplicació de la teoria presentada en esta tesi és molt ampli. En concret, s'ha desenvolupat una nova formulació basada en mètodes modals que permet realitzar una caracterització d'ona completa d'aquestes estructures de forma eficient i precisa. Aprofitant la seua simetria geomètrica i electromagnètica, la ferramenta desenvolupada pot minimitzar els càlculs a realitzar, aconseguint grans velocitats de càlcul mantenint una alta precisió. Gràcies a la integració d'aquesta formulació dins d'una ferramenta CAE basada en mètodes modals, s'ofereix la possibilitat als dissenyadors de resoldre sistemes molt complexos que combinen aquest tipus de cavitats amb altres components de diferent geometria. Aquesta formulació s'aplica, en primer lloc, a l'anàlisi i disseny de components passius comuns: filtres, multiplexors i OMTs. Aquests exemples serveixen per a validar la ferramenta desenvolupada, així com demostrar la significativa millora que suposa l'ús d'aquesta nova tècnica respecte d'altres paquets software d'anàlisi electromagnètic. Així mateix, mitjançant la combinació d'aquesta formulació amb la ferramenta SPARK3D s'obri la possibilitat de predir l'aparició de fenòmens de descàrrega d'alta potència en estructures bidimensionals. A continuació, es proposen noves formes d'implementar filtres quasi el-líptics en guia d'ona basats en la interconnexió de cavitats bidimensionals. Es fa especial èmfasi en la realització de múltiples zeros de transmissió mitjançant estructures compactes que no requereixen de sintonia. D'una banda s'estudien els filtres hybrid folded rectangular waveguide. Aquest treball inclou una discussió en profunditat sobre diferents implementacions d'aquest tipus de filtres. S'hi consideren aspectes pràctics relacionats amb el seu ús i implementació física, que ofereixen al dissenyador uns criteris clars per triar l'estructura que més s'ajuste a les seues especificacions. D'altra banda es presenta un nou obstacle de naturalesa capacitiva extremadament compacte, que permet la realització de múltiples zeros de transmissió fins i tot en estructures en línia. En els dos casos s'inclouen exemples d'aplicació i es descriu la metodologia seguida per al seu disseny. Finalment, s'exposa un procediment sistemàtic per dissenyar multiplexors de banda ampla. Per prevenir la generació de ressonàncies no desitjades s'eviten les interconnexions amb trams de guia curts. Seguint una metodologia simple, basada en fórmules analítiques i simulacions electromagnètiques, s'aconsegueix un excel-lent punt inicial per a l'optimització.Carceller Candau, C. (2016). Full-wave characterization of bi-dimensional cavities and its application to the design of waveguide filters and multiplexers [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/64089TESI

Miniaturized full‐metal bandpass filter and multiplexer using circular spiral resonator

This article proposes a new class of miniaturized full-metal bandpass filters (BPFs) and multiplexers using circular spiral resonators (CSRs). The proposed metal CSR is supported on the metal cavity's wall, which serves as a short-end resonator. This CSR has obvious size reduction compared to traditional cavity resonators and owns low insertion loss, high power capacity and high selectivity. Then, three BPFs using two, three and four CSRs are designed and analysed. All the proposed filters have transmission zeroes (TZs) produced by the source-load coupling without introducing additional coupling structure. The proposed CSR is further used to design diplexer and quadruplexer. All the proposed filters have ultra-compact size, especially, the size of quadruplexer is only 0.23λ 0 × 0.081λ 0 × 0.067λ 0. Finally, the fourth-order filter and quadruplexer are fabricated and measured, the good agreement between the measured results and the simulated results validates the proposed design concepts

Design and fabrication of a compact microstrip triplexer for wimax and wireless applications

A novel structure to design a microstrip triplexer for wireless and WiMAX applications is presented. To obtain a compact microstrip layout, step impedance resonators and coupled lines are used. The introduced triplexer has a size of 0.35λg×0.26λg, where λg is calculated at 2.3 GHz. Also, the obtained insertion losses are 0.78 dB, 1.1 dB and 0.62 dB at 2.3 GHz, 3.2 GHz and 3.6 GHz, respectively. The LC model of the presented resonator is investigated to tune three resonance frequencies by calculating numerical values of inductors and capacitors. Finally, the designed triplexer is simulated and measured

Advanced Compact Setups for Passive Intermodulation Measurements of Satellite Hardware

(c) 2018 IEEE. Personal use of this material is permitted. Permission from IEEE must be obtained for all other users, including reprinting/ republishing this[EN] This paper provides the guidelines for the practical development of novel advanced test beds for passive intermodulation(PIM) measurements. The proposed test beds show high performance and are flexible, allowing for the measurement of several PIM signals of different orders, with two or more input carriers. In contrast to classic test beds for satellite hardware, based on the cascaded connection of several elements, an integrated solution involving the minimum number of hardware pieces is proposed. The result is a lower number of flanged interconnections, thus reducing residual PIM level and insertion losses. In addition, return loss degradation and harmful spurious generation in the interconnections are also avoided. Measurement test beds for conducted and radiated PIM, in both transmitted and reflected directions, are discussed, highlighting the benefits and drawbacks of each configuration. Design guidelines for the key components are fully discussed. Illustrative application examples are also reported. Finally, excellent experimental results obtained from low-PIM measurement setups, working from C-band to Ka-band, are shown, thus fully confirming the validity of the proposed configurations.This work was supported in part by the European Space Agency through several research and development contracts, in part by the Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad (Spanish Government) under Project TEC2016-75934-C4-1-R, and in part by the ESA-VSC High Power RF Space Laboratory.Smacchia, D.; Soto Pacheco, P.; Boria Esbert, VE.; Guglielmi, M.; Carceller Candau, C.; Ruiz-Garnica, J.; Galdeano, J.... (2018). Advanced Compact Setups for Passive Intermodulation Measurements of Satellite Hardware. IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques. 66(2):700-710. https://doi.org/10.1109/TMTT.2017.2783383S70071066

Microwave Filters in Planar and Hybrid Technologies with Advanced Responses

[ES] La presente tesis doctoral tiene como principal objetivo el estudio, diseño, desarrollo y fabricación de nuevos dispositivos pasivos de microondas, tales como filtros y multiplexores con respuestas avanzadas para aplicaciones de alto valor añadido (i.e. comerciales, militares, espacio); orientados a distintos servicios, actuales y futuros, en sistemas inalámbricos de comunicación. Además, esta investigación se centrará en el desarrollo de filtros encapsulados de montaje superficial y con un elevado grado de miniaturización. Para ello, se propone investigar distintas técnicas que consigan respuestas muy selectivas o con unas características exigentes en rechazo (mediante la flexible introducción de ceros de transmisión), así como una excelente planaridad en banda (aplicando técnicas tales como la mejora del Q o el diseño de filtros con pérdidas, lossy filters), obteniendo de este modo respuestas mejoradas, con respecto a soluciones conocidas, en los componentes de microondas desarrollados. De forma general, la metodología seguida se iniciará con una búsqueda y conocimiento del estado del arte sobre cada uno de los temas que se acometerán en esta tesis. Tras ello, se establecerá un procedimiento de síntesis que permitirá acometer de forma teórica los objetivos y especificaciones a conseguir en cada caso. Con ello, se establecerán las bases para iniciar el proceso de diseño, incluyendo co-simulación circuital/electromagnética y optimización que permitirán, en última instancia, implementar la solución planteada en cada caso de aplicación concreto. Finalmente, la demostración y validez de todas las investigaciones realizadas se llevará a cabo mediante la fabricación y caracterización experimental de distintos prototipos.[CA] La present tesi doctoral té com a principal objectiu l'estudi, disseny, desenvolupament I fabricació de nous dispositius passius de microones, com ara filtres i multiplexors amb respostes avançades per a aplicacions d'alt valor afegit, (comercials, militars, espai); orientats a oferir diferents serveis, actuals i futurs, en els diferents sistemes sense fils de comunicació. A més, aquesta investigació es centrarà en el desenvolupament de filtres encapsulats de muntatge superficial i amb un elevat grau de miniaturització. Per a això, es proposa investigar diferents tècniques que aconsegueixin respostes molt selectives o amb unes característiques exigents en rebuig (mitjançant la flexible introducció de zeros de transmissió), així com una excel·lent planaritat en banda (aplicant tècniques com ara la millora de l'Q o el disseny de filtres amb perdues, lossy filters), obtenint d'aquesta manera respostes millorades, respecte solucions conegudes, en els components de micrones desenvolupats. De forma general, la metodologia seguida s'iniciarà amb una recerca i coneixement de l'estat de l'art sobre cadascun dels temes que s'escometran en aquesta tesi. Després d'això, s'establirà un procediment de síntesi que permetrà escometre de forma teòrica els objectiusi especificacions a aconseguir en cada cas. Amb això, s'establiran les bases per iniciar el procés de disseny, amb co-simulació circuital / electromagnètica i optimització que permetran, en última instància, implementar la solució plantejada en cada cas d'aplicació concret. Finalment, la demostració i validesa de totes les investigacions realitzades es durà a terme mitjançant la fabricació i caracterització experimental de diferents prototips.[EN] The main objective of this doctoral thesis is the study, design, development and manufacture of new passive microwave components, such as filters and multiplexers with advanced responses for commercials, military and space applications; oriented to other different services, in current and future wireless communication systems. In addition, this research will focus on the development of surface-mounted encapsulated filters with a high degree of miniaturization. With this purpose, it is proposed to investigate different techniques that achieve highly selective responses or with demanding characteristics in rejection (through the flexible introduction of transmission zeros), as well as an excellent in-band planarity (applying techniques such as the Q enhancement or lossy filters), thus obtaining improved responses, with respect to known solutions, in the developed microwave components. In general, the followed methodology will begin with a search and knowledge of the state of the art on each of the topics addressed in this thesis. After that, a synthesis procedure will be established, which will allow the achievement of the objectives and specifications in a theoretical way, for each case. With this, the bases will be established to start the design process, with circuital and electromagnetic co-simulations and optimizations that will allow, ultimately, to implement the proposed solution, in every application case, specifically. Finally, the demonstration and validity of all the investigations will be carried out through the manufacture and experimental characterization of different prototypes.Marín Martínez, S. (2022). Microwave Filters in Planar and Hybrid Technologies with Advanced Responses [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/18894

Design of filter integrated SPDT switch using capacitor loaded ring resonator with high isolation

A reconfigurable filter integrated single-pole double-throw (SPDT) switch (FIS) based on capacitor loaded ring resonators is presented in this paper. The design incorporates two PIN diodes between two symmetric square ring resonators. The ring resonators can be switched between all stop and bandpass responses, by adjusting the state of the PIN diodes, allowing the corresponding signal path to be in OFF-state with high isolation or ON-state with bandpass filter response. For demonstration, filtering switch was fabricated and measured for 2.4 GHz applications. The measurement results featured an ON-state low insertion loss of −2.1 dB and port-to-port isolation of −52 dB at the band of interest, and good consistency is achieved between simulated and measured result

Analysis and Design of a Substrate Integrated Waveguide Multi-Coupled Resonator Diplexer

A microwave diplexer achieved by coupling a section of a dual-band bandpass filter onto a section of two single-bands (i.e. transmit and receive) bandpass filters is presented. This design eliminates the need for employing external non-resonant junctions in diplexer design, as opposed to the conventional design approach which requires separate non-resonant junctions for energy distribution. The use of separate non-resonant junctions in diplexer design increases the design complexity, as well as gives rise to bulky diplexer devices. The proposed design also removes the too much reliance on the evaluation of suitable characteristic polynomials to achieve a diplexer. Though the evaluation of complex polynomials to achieve a diplexer is seen as a viable option, the technique is hugely dependent on optimisations which come with loads of uncertainties. This thesis relies on well-established design formulations to increase design reliability, as well as simplicity. A 10-pole (10ᵗʰ order) microwave diplexer circuit has been successfully designed, simulated, manufactured and measured. The measured results have been used to validate the circuit model and the electromagnetic (EM) simulated results. The diplexer is composed of 2 poles from a dual-band bandpass filter, 4 poles from a transmit bandpass filter and the remaining 4 poles from a receive bandpass filter. The design was initially implemented using asynchronously tuned microstrip square open-loop resonators. The EM simulation and the measurement results of the microstrip diplexer were presented and show good agreement with the proposed design theory. The design was also implemented using the substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) technique and results presented and discussed. In comparison to the results achieved with the microstrip diplexer, the EM simulation and the measurement results realised with the SIW diplexer, show that a slightly better insertion loss was attained across both the transmit and the receive channels, respectively

Microwave Interference Cancellation System

A microwave interference cancellation system is presented in this thesis. The technique achieves high Tx/Rx isolation with relatively low degree filters. A four-port diplexer consists of two back-to-back three-port diplexers combined with a 180° phase shift in one branch. High signal isolation between Tx and Rx module is achievable by only using second-order filter topology and the design technique is based on amplitude and phase cancellation between two diplexer branches of the four-port diplexer. Three and four-port networks are intensively analysed and synthesised for solving S-parameter equations. The four-port diplexer exploits the microstrip open-loop structure. A four-port microstrip diplexer for RF interference rejection is presented in IMT-2000 applications whereas device miniaturisation and low infrastructure cost are required. The microstrip-open loop structure with coupled-feed and tapped-feed are designed for alternative techniques and cost reduction. A 180° phase shift in one branch can be achieved by delayed transmission line. The simulated microstrip four-port network is designed at the centre frequency of Tx/Rx at 1.95 GHz and 2.14 GHz, respectively. An alternative technology to reduce overall signal losses and increase power handling with the same or better isolation compared to the four-port microstrip technology is four-port combline coaxial resonator structures. To achieve filter design with a 180° different phase shift, the positive (90° inverter) and negative (-90° inverter) coupled filters are required. The design frequencies of the four-port combline diplexer are 1.73 GHz and 2.13 GHz for Rx and Tx modules, respectively. Two different designs of four-port diplexer prototypes, based on filter designs with similar and dissimilar Q-factors, are fabricated and measured to verify the new design technique. Finally, microwave interference cancellation techniques can be used in wireless communication systems where small size, low losses and low complexity are required