Design of Compact Parallel-Connected Chained Function Filters

The design of compact parallel-connected chained function filters is presented in this paper. The proposed filters will offer reduced sensitivity to manufacturing tolerance within the specified bandwidth in comparison to conventional Chebyshev filters for C-band applications. A new filtering function according to a chained configuration is derived for fourth-order filters, and the synthesis procedures are presented. To demonstrate the feasibility of this approach, the circuit simulation based on parallel-connected topology is performed in an advanced design system, while the design and simulation of a fourth-order filter in dielectric technology are carried out in high-frequency simulation software. The prototype of fourth-order microstrip topology is fabricated using open-loop resonators. The overall circuit size of the filter is 2.5 cm × 4 cm. The achieved simulation and measured insertion/return loss are 0.409 dB/20 dB and 2.674 dB/18.074 dB, respectively. Extensive sensitivity analysis is conducted to prove the fabrication tolerance of the filter. The reduced sensitivity of the proposed filter to manufacturing tolerance is fully demonstrated using an open-loop microstrip technology, and its reliability is proven by theoretical analysis. The prototype results in this research are validated and agree with the theoretical results. In terms of implementation, this design technique will be a very useful mathematical tool for any filter design engineer

Triple-Band Reconfigurable Monopole Antenna for Long-Range IoT Applications

In this study, a novel reconfigurable triple-band monopole antenna for LoRa IoT applications is fabricated on an FR-4 substrate. The proposed antenna is designed to function at three distinct LoRa frequency bands: 433 MHz, 868 MHz, and 915 MHz covering the LoRa bands in Europe, America, and Asia. The antenna is reconfigurable by using a PIN diode switching mechanism, which allows for the selection of the desired operating frequency band based on the state of the diodes. The antenna is designed using CST MWS® software 2019 and optimized for maximum gain, good radiation pattern and efficiency. The antenna with a total dimension of 80 mm × 50 mm × 0.6 mm (0.12λ0×0.07λ0 × 0.001λ0 at 433 MHz) has a gain of 2 dBi, 1.9 dBi, and 1.9 dBi at 433 MHz, 868 MHz, and 915 MHz, respectively, with an omnidirectional H-plane radiation pattern and a radiation efficiency above 90% across the three frequency bands. The fabrication and measurement of the antenna have been carried out, and the results of simulation and measurements are compared. The agreement among the simulation and measurement results confirms the design’s accuracy and the antenna’s suitability for LoRa IoT applications, particularly in providing a compact, flexible, and energy efficient communication solution for different LoRa frequency bands