Compact Tunable Balanced Bandpass Filter With Constant Bandwidth Based on Magnetically Coupled Resonators

Abstract

In this letter, a compact high-selectivity and common-mode (CM) suppression tunable balanced microstrip bandpass filter (BPF) with constant bandwidth is designed by adopting the magnetically coupled resonators with step-impedance parallel coupling feedline (SIPCF) structure. The desired coupling coefficient $K_{12}$ and external quality factor $Q_{e}$ can be obtained by the mixed coupling between the two resonators and SIPCF structure, respectively. Two differential-mode (DM) transmission zeros (TZs) near the lower and upper passband edges are created by the mixed coupling and source–load coupling, respectively. Furthermore, intrinsic high CM suppression in the DM tunable operating passband can be maintained because of the magnetically coupled resonator structure. Finally, a compact tunable balanced BPF prototype with constant fractional bandwidth of 6.5% is implemented and fabricated. The measured results agree well with the simulated ones.