Switchless Tunable Bandstop-to-All-Pass Reconfigurable Filter

Abstract

The theory of a new type of bandstop-to-all-pass reconfigurable filter is developed in this work. A bandstop filter structure with both source-to-load and inter-resonator coupling is implemented. The synthesis equations are manipulated such that the signals in the filter's resonators and source-to-load transmission line can be made to constructively or destructively interfere at the output port through tuning of the resonant frequency of the filter's resonators. The relationship between resonator quality factor, filter bandwidth, and the all-pass response state is shown for the first time. The theory is proven through fabrication of a bandstop-to-all-pass filter with resonator unloaded quality factors greater than 500. Measured results show that the filter can continuously tune from insertion loss of 2.1 dB in the all-pass state to insertion loss of 69 dB in the bandstop state at the center frequency of the filter. Analog tuning of the attenuation level is also shown. The capability to switch from an all-pass to a variable-attenuation bandstop response enables a spectrally aware system to operate over wide bandwidths when interference levels are low and to dynamically add bandstop responses when interference affects its performance or signal equalization is required.