Improved TM Dual-Mode Filters With Reduced Fabrication Complexity

Abstract

This work presents an alternate and improved approach for the design of dual-mode filters that utilize transverse magnetic (TM) and nonresonating modes. The method that is proposed in this work allows for an improvement of the typical TM dual-mode filter design through the reformation of the coupling irises that connect the TM dual-mode cavity to the source/load waveguide ports, where the new interconnection means takes the form of resonate slot-irises. In this manner, a fourth-order quasi-elliptic response can be achieved within a very limited physical geometry and able to cover more than double the usable fractional bandwidth than previously reported. Furthermore, the selectivity and insertion loss of the filter response is significantly improved when compared to the typical single-cavity TM dual-mode filter response that uses coupling irises, while on the comparison of equal-order structures, a reduction in fabrication complexity and improved insertion loss is achieved. A characterization of the dimensional variations and effects of altering one of the source/load port positions in the proposed filter design is investigated in order to demonstrate notable effects on the rejection characteristics and positions of transmission zeros. A presentation on the design theory is given and formulations of various filter responses are examined. The fabrication of an experimental prototype with approximately 7.3% fractional bandwidth (FBW), centered at 90 GHz is conducted using high-precision computer numerical control (CNC) milling in order to demonstrate that the unique simplicity and overall compaction of this method can be easily applied at millimetre-wave frequencies without the need of tuning means. The results which are presented demonstrate highly accurate measurements throughout the W-band range, while an additional Q-factor analysis is provided in order to compare the improved filter scheme with other known design methodologies.