Design and Simulation of Band Pass Filter for X Band Receiver 2016-2017

ABSTRACT

This project mainly focuses on the study of X-band receiver and design and simulation of band
pass filter for use in track RADAR project. A receiver-power-level table and BLOCK diagram were
constructed. The output of the receiver, which has to be fed to the input of an analogue-to-digital
converter (ADC), is limited by the ADC’s maximum operating input power. Amplifiers, fixed
attenuators pads, couplers, filters and mixers were chosen to implement a single-stage down
conversion from a radio frequency (RF) of 9-10 GHz to an IF of 1630MHz. The receiver was
designed to have enough gain to boost the maximum power received to within the operating range of
the ADC, without saturating any components in the receiver. Finally through this project a RADAR
receiver design where the corresponding message has been encapsulated in the frequency band of
9GHz to 10GHz is being implemented.

Keywords- X-band, RADAR receiver, 9GHz to 12GHz band pass filter.

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Design and Simulation of Band Pass Filter for X Band Receiver 2016-2017

CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION

Monitoring the status and condition of the earth's terrain, such as vegetation fields, forests and soil
surfaces is of primary importance to the understanding and the protection of the environment, as
well as for natural resource management. It has been recognized that the use of microwaves in
remote sensing is a suitable approach as microwave signals are able to penetrate cloud and
vegetation cover and can operate independent of solar illumination. Moreover, microwaves have the
ability to penetrate more deeply into vegetation compared to optical signals. In general, longer
wavelengths penetrate vegetation much better than shorter wavelengths. Higher frequencies such as
X-band (10 GHz) are used for radar systems where the size of the antenna constitutes a physical
limitation; this becomes especially important when considering an airborne platform. The fact that
the system operates in the X-band microwave range will allow for smaller RF (radio frequency)
components and antennas, relative to C-band and L-band, making ideal for airborne operations. The
system design is one which is easy to maintain and operate, and capable of quick turn-around in
data acquisition.

The RADAR receiver system is going to work in the X-band region of frequencies. The X-band is
the range of frequencies which includes the EM waves of 8GHz to 12 GHz frequency. The main idea
in designing such a receiver system is that the frequency range is large, where we have a bandwidth
of 1000MHz. Since, the bandwidth is large the resolution of the object detected by the RADAR is
more accurate. While testing the system it is necessary to add noise and interference which can be
rarely much stronger than the desired signal. The threshold is set by noise and MDS distortion to
detect the minimum signal power and the maximum signal power level respectively. The third order
input intercept (IIP3) is a figure of merit that is directly related to the inter-modulation distortion
produced by a particular design.

The present telecommunication systems demands for a compact and effective RF filters. Hence we
implement the microstrip line as a base material for the filter [9]. Major required apparatus in the
microwave system are filters. The implementation of the microstrip line in the design of the filter will
reduce the size, cost and load in the circuit [8]. The Band pass filter for X-band receiver is designed
using microstrip line.

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CHAPTER 2
LITERATURE SURVEY

As proposed by Lukasz Maslikowski et.al[1] the center frequency of the message signal is important
but the IF must be chosen. In the case of the proposed system, the center frequency was set to
1.63GHz. This will allow very reasonable low cable losses and lies within the range supported by
the RFSA. The bandwidth of the receiving system must be as big as possible band losses are
considerable even for high quality low loss cables.

The The author explains [2] to maintain linearity the amplifiersignificant improvements in noise
figure and band-width have been obtained in down conversion from frequencies in 8 to 12GHz range
to frequencies of several hundred megacycles. In microwave systems the receiver thermal noise is
one of the main contributors to the total noise of the radio line which is one of the fundamental
limitations on many important system parameters, such as the number of voice circuits per radio
frequency channel, repeater spacing, and system length. Since in heterodyne systems the receiver
noise is essentially the noise of the receiving down-converter, the noise figure of the down converter
is one of the most important factors in setting the entire system performance.

According to the author [4] Low-noise amplifier (LNA) is key microwave components in electronic
system such as radar, satellite communications electronic warfare, Remote Control and Telemetry
System ithas extensive application value.

As the writer says [5] a wideband down conversion requires a broadband matching network both at
the RF and LO inputs, which also helps to improve the noise performance.

As per the author [6] Band Pass filter is one of the necessary devices in radio frequency system,
transmitter or receiver. It is used to permit the desire frequency on certain bandwidth. For example,
in communication system, the filter selects the frequency that is used by transmitter on the system.
So the interference with the other system can be avoided. In receiver, to prevent the undesired
frequency, the filteris needed. Therefore only signal in certain frequency is processed. In this
research we design the band pass filter with centre frequency 1.63 GHz for application that using X-
band frequency.

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CHAPTER 3
OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this proposal work are:

1]. To study the existing work carried out in this field.

2]. To understand the basic characteristics of the devices used in order to perform the work.

3]. To study a receiver system that detects the message signal which is being reflected from the
object.

4].To design a Band pass filter to remove the unwanted signal and improve the quality of signal.

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CHAPTER 4
X Band Receiver

4.1 Block diagram

The electronic circuitry shown in the fig 4.1includes a 10dB directional coupler through which the
radio signals are coupled. There is a 9GHz to 10GHz BPF followed by a doubly balanced mixer.
Then will be one more BPF and an amplifier, and low pass filter. The output of the LPF is again
given to a coupler followed by an analog to digital convertor. The output IF signal will be further
processed in a DSP (digital signal processing) system to completely recover the image of the
detected target object.

Figure 4.1: Block Diagram of X-band Receiver System

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Generally, the radio signal collected by the antenna is fed to the RF tuned stage. Here, the strong out
Of pass band signals are prevented which might saturate the amplifier. The LO provides mixing fre-
quency; it is usually a variable frequency oscillator used to tune the receiver. The frequency mixer
does the actual heterodyning; it varies the received frequency signal to a higher or lower, fixed, inte-
rmediate frequency (IF). The IF band pass filter and amplifier, supply most of the gain and the narr-
owband filtering for the receiver. The demodulator extracts the image from the IF frequency. Extrac-
ted signal is then processed and the target image is identified.

The main components that are implemented in the construction of the receiver are:

1]. Coupler: This is a 10db directional coupler which has 20W power handling capacity. It operates
both in the frequencies ranging from 7000MHz to 13000MHz and8000MHz to 12000MHz. Its
minimum directivity 15dB with power handling capacity of 10W and 20W for 7GHz to 13GHz
and 8GHz to 12GHz respectively.

2]. Mixer: A mixer is used to shift the signals from one frequency to another. These mixers are able
to provide very high levels of performance.
Three ports for the connections are:

a) RF input: This port on the mixer is connected to the 9GHz to 10GHz band pass filter. This signal
is frequency converted.
b) Local Oscillator input: This port takes in the internal local oscillator signal that is used to convert
the RF signal to the new frequency. This frequency is same as the transmitter LO frequency. In
this case it is 7.37GHz to 8.37GHz.
c) Intermediate frequency output: The signal at the output of the mixer will contain only the mixer
products, i.e. the sum and difference frequencies of the two input signals. The other image
frequencies are eliminated using a filter.
The mixer implemented in this system can be used for up and down converting applications between
6GHz to 14GHz. It has a very isolation to both the RF and IF ports. It can operate with an LO drive
level as low as +9dBm. This mixer can easily be configured as an image reject mixer or single
sideband modulator with external hybrids and power splitters.

3]. Band Pass Filters: In the implementation of the block diagram of the receiver, we use two band

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pass filters. Band pass filter is a device that passes frequencies within a certain range and rejects
frequencies outside that range. In a receiver, a band pass filter allows signals within a selected range
of frequencies to be heard or decoded, while preventing signals at unwanted frequencies from
getting through. It optimizes the signal to noise ratio and sensitivity of a receiver. There is a 9GHzto
10GHz filter which is placed initially right before the mixer and a 1630MHz filter to which the
output of the mixer is being fed. These filters are responsible for the defining of the band of
allowable frequencies.

4]. LNA: The output of the coupler is being fed into the LNA. Low noise amplifier is an electronic
amplifier that amplifies a very low power signal without significantly degrading its signal to noi-
se ratio.An amplifier increases the power of both signal and the noise. LNAs are designed to mini-
mize additional noise. LNAs are found in radio communications systems,medical instruments and
electronic equipment.

5]. Low pass filter: Finally at the end of the receiver system we use a low pass filter that passes sig-
nals with a frequency lower than a certain cut off frequency and attenuates signals with frequenc-
ies higher than the cut off frequency for further processing.

Amongst all the components listed above, we are concentrating on the design and development of the
band pass filters. It is important to note that as the frequency range involved here is in GHz, in designing
the band pass filters we have made use of the microstrip lines.
The design of the band pass filter is discussed in the next chapter.

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CHAPTER 5

METHODOLOGY

A band pass filter is an important component must be found in the transmitter or receiver. Band
pass filter is a passive component which is able to select signals inside a specific bandwidth at a
certain center frequency and reject signals in another frequency region, especially in frequency
regions, which have the potential to interfere the information signals.Microwave filters since a long
time have been an integral part of the radar and the telecommunication systems. Designing better
and more accurate filters is the major requirement for various possible communication techniques
[10].Microstrip band pass filters for parallel-edge coupled line filter is designed. The design of the
filter is done according to the specifications listed in the table below.

Table 5.1: Filter specifications

Band-width: 1000MHz

Ripple: Less than 1dB

Insertion loss: Less than 3dB

Return loss: Better than 15dB

Attenuation: 7.5GHz > 60dB

10.5GHz > 60dB

Power handling capacity: 1W

Temperature: -45 to +85deg Celsius

To design the filter microstrip lines are used.

5.1 Microstrip Line

Microstrip is a type of electrical transmission line which can be fabricated using printed circuit
board technology, and is used to convey microwave-frequency signals. It consists of a conducting
strip separated from a ground plane by a dielectric layer known as the substrate. Microwave

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Design and Simulation of Band Pass Filter for X Band Receiver 2016-2017

components such as antennas, couplers, filters, power dividers etc. can be formed from microstrip,
with the entire device existing as the pattern of metallization on the substrate. Microstrip is thus
much less expensive than traditional waveguide technology, as well as being far lighter and more
compact.
Microstrip line filters take part in an important function in various radio frequency communication
systems. Edge coupled microstrip line fields are quasi-TEM mode. Hence the preferred structure is
basically coupled line filters. A parallel coupled band pass filter gives low insertion loss for the
whole filter. A band pass filter is especially characterized by its frequency response, which
represents its power gain in terms of frequency. The microstrip lines are widely used all planar
transmission lines application. This type of technology is used in ease and the ability of realization,
and integration of microwave active and passive devices [7].

Figure 5.1: Microstrip line

The W is width of the metal strip, which is control of its characteristics impedance as shown in fig
5.1. The thickness of dielectric substrate was taken as h, εr the relative permittivity of substrate and t
is the thickness of strip.

Microstrip line uses are

 Easy to manufacture.
 Consumes very less space.

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 The wavelength will be considerably small when compared to the size of the components. This
avoids parasitic noises.

There are different types of filter topologies among which the edge coupled and hairpin line coupled
topologies are compared and appropriate design is implemented in the project work.

5.2 The End Coupled Microstrip Line Topology:

An effective way to understand a microwave band pass filter is to consider it as a number of resonant
elements, connected with impedance or admittance inverters, which are often referred to as the filter
couplings.
The design equations used are

𝐹𝐵𝑊
𝑗0,1 𝑍0 = √𝜋 (1)
2𝑔0 𝑔1

𝐹𝐵𝑊 1
𝑗𝑖,𝑖+1 𝑍0 = 𝜋 (2)
2 √𝑔𝑖 𝑔𝑖,𝑖+1

𝐹𝐵𝑊
𝑗𝑛.𝑛+1 𝑍0 = √𝜋 (3)
2𝑔𝑛 𝑔𝑛+1

2
𝑍0𝑂 |𝑖,𝑖+1 = 𝑍01 [1 − 𝑍0 𝑗𝑖,𝑖+1 + (𝑍0 𝑗𝑖,𝑖+1 ) ] (4)

2
Z0e |i,i+1 = Z01 [1 + Z0 ji,i+1 + (Z0 ji,i+1 ) ] (5)

Where n is a number of order of the filter, and g0, g1…..gn are the coefficients of the Butterworth
filter as in table 4.2 and FBW is the Fractional bandwidth of a band pass filter.ji,i+1 are the
characteristic impedance of a J-inverters and ZOis the characteristic impedance of the terminating
transmission lines and is equal to 50Ω.
FBW=(upper frequency-lower frequency)/center frequency

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FBW=( 10GHz-9GHz)/9.5GHz = 0.1052

Using the above equations we determine the J-inverters, odd and even impedances. These
values obtained are used in the Linecalc tool of ADS (Advanced Design System) software. ADS is
the software used for system simulation.

In particular, the configuration that represents coupled λ/2 open lines is the easiest to construct in
microstrip and stripline. The implementation of the filter is done by using the microstrip line as the
base material with a rogers 5880 substrate.

Figure 5.2: Schematic of End Coupled Line Microstrip Band Pass Filter

The figure 5.2 shows a representation of an end coupled microstrip line bandpass filter. This
schematic is generated using simulation software ADS (advanced design system).

The below represented filter was developed using five stage chebyshev coefficients which had a
ripple of 0.5dB. The required parameters like odd impedance and even impedance were calculated.
These values were updated in the linecalc tool of ADS software. Through an iterative process
computer generated schematic is being depicted in the above figure.

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A corresponding graph to show the insertion loss is also developed in the software. The graph is
represented below in figures 5.3 This graph is an important evidence for the accuracy of the forward
flow of the voltage in the device. The part of the input signal flowing through the component can be
clearly obtained through this graph.

Figure 5.3: Insertion Loss Graph

In the above figure we can observe that the amount of ripples is more. This symbolizes the instability
of the system. We try to have a smooth curve of pass band with fewer amounts of variations. To get
this particular realization we have developed the system using a different topology of the filter.

5.3 The Hairpin Line Filter Topology

In this particular topology the microstrip line is being bent to have an electrical length of 𝜆⁄4.
The schematic of this filter is generated and represented in the figure 5.4.

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Figure 5.4: Schematic of Hairpin Line Filter

This filter is also developed with a 5 stage chebyshev filter coefficients with 0.5dB ripple. One of the
stages is reduced using taping. This is done to reduce the size of the component. The output
characteristics of this filter is given the figure 5.5

The figure 5.5 gives the insertion loss graph of the filter. This graph is generated using the ADS
simulation software. The range of frequencies passing through this filter is clearly visible in the
graph. Pass band curve obtained through this topology has a 1GHz bandwidth.

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Figure 5.5 Insertion loss graph

The 6thorder coupled line configuration and the following specifications are considered. The center
frequency of 9.5GHz, bandwidth of 1GHz, dielectric constant of 2.2 and thickness of the Rogers
5880 is respectively.

Considering the design parameters of the 6th order Butterworth band pass filter i.e.

Centre frequency=9.5GHz,
Lower cutoff frequency= 9GHZ,
Higher cutoff frequency=10GHz,
Relative permittivity εr =2.2
Thickness=20mil.

In the design of the filter, initially we use an edge coupled line topology. We use Butterworth filter.
The filter co-efficient table is given in table 5.2 below

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Table 5.2: Filter coefficients for Butterworth filter for 0.5dB ripple band

N g1 g2 g3 g4 g5 g6 g7
1 2.0000 1.0000
2 1.4142 1.4142 1.0000
3 1.0000 2.0000 1.0000 1.0000
4 0.7654 1.8478 1.8478 0.7654 1.0000
5 0.6180 1.6180 2.0000 1.6180 0.6180 1.0000
6 0.5176 1.4142 1.9318 1.9318 1.4142 0.5176 1

The table 5.3 shows the odd and even impedance values calculated for N=6 i.e., N is the numbers of
stages of the filter.
Table 5.3: Calculated odd and even impedance values for N=6

I Ji,i+1Z0 𝐙𝟎𝐎 |𝐢,𝐢+𝟏 𝐙𝟎𝐞 |𝐢,𝐢+𝟏

0 0.31134 39.28142 70.4059

1 0.23932 44.9459 56.3559

2 0.13346 45.76251 55.11151

3 0.13346 45.76251 55.11151

4 0.23932 44.9459 56.3559

5 0.31134 39.28148 70.4059

Advanced Design System (ADS) is the world’s leading electronic design automation software for
RF, microwave, and high speed digital applications. In a powerful and easy-to-use interface, ADS
pioneers the most innovative and commercially successful technologies, such as X-parameters* and
3D EM simulators, used by leading companies in the wireless communication & networking and
aerospace & defense industries. For LTE, multi-gigabit per second data links, radar, & satellite
applications, ADS provides full, standards-based design and verification with Wireless Libraries and
circuit-system-EM co-simulation in an integrated platform.

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One useful tool within ADS is Linecalc. Given the physical dimensions and material properties,
Linecalc will accurately compute Zo and Ԑr,e for microstrip as well as for a large number of other
planar waveguides. Conversely , it can synthesize a band width given the other parameters such as
Zo, d, t.

Using the design equations we determine the J-inverters, odd and even impedances. These values
obtained are used in the Linecalc tool of ADS (Advanced Design System) software.In the figure 5.6
a screenshot of Linecalc in the ADS software where the substrate details are entered is given below.

Figure 5.6: Linecalc tool

The dimensions of the transmission lines obtained in the Linecalc are given in the table 5.4

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Table 5.4 Obtained dimensions of transmission line section

Stages Width,(mil) Space(mil) Length(mil)

1 73.5425 2.26101 346.999

2 64.4814 11.5011 122.406

3 89.7957 14.4049 340.971

4 89.7957 14.4059 340.971

5 64.4814 11.501 122.406

6 73.5425 2.26101 346.999

Figure 5.7 Schematic of the edge coupled microstrip line filter

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The optimized W,L,S values of the MCLIN are given in the table 5.5

Table 5.5: Optimized dimensions.

Stages Width, W(mil) Spacing, S(mil) Length, L(mil)

1 20.07175 8.4686 225.344

2 40.0142 9.99 219

3 62.0 12.9138 217

4 62.0 12.9138 217

5 40.0142 9.99 219

6 20.07175 8.4686 225.344

The two parameters (insertion loss and return loss) are crucial to analyze to obtain a good
performance of filter. A good filter will be high return loss and small insertion loss ripple in passband.
Return loss (S11) is a ratio of reflected power to incident power at the test port of a filter and is
expressed in decibels (dB).

The ratio of the reflected wave to the incident wave is known as the reflection coefficient and is
simply a measure of the quality of the match between the transmission line and the terminating
impedances.

The simulation provides a response between scattering parameters and the frequency of the filter
which is shown below in 5.8 and 5.9. The fig 5.10 represents a combination of the insertion loss and
return loss graphs.The fig. 5.8 represents insertion loss in the filter. This is a very important parameter
as in signifies the amount of power loss in the signal passing through the component. Therefore in the
fig 5.8 all the signal at the frequency band from 9GHz to 10GHz is passing with a minimum loss and
the other frequencies are being attenuated.The return loss tells how much of the input signal is being
reflected. In the fig.5.9 it can be observed that the return loss is below -15 dB which is acceptable
according to the filter specifications.

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Figure 5.8: Insertion loss graph

Figure 5.9: Return loss graph

The final layout of the microstrip line band pass filter is given in the fig 5.11. This is a outlook of the
designed filter generated by the ADS software layout tool.

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Figure 5.10: S-parameter of Band pass filter

Figure5.11: Layout of the edge coupled microstrip line filter

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CHAPTER 6
CONCLUSION

In this work we have design of Band pass filter will extremely help the new researchers to
understand the methodology and various steps in the design process. X-band Band pass filter
designed with centre frequency 9.5Ghz using ADS software to implement in a track RADAR
receiver system has been presented in this work.. The receiver can be designed by implementing the
band pass filter, which is designed in this project and implemented into the required system. As we
have designed it for the frequencies in the X-band region, the resolution of the target object is
increased.

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REFERENCES

[1]. Lukasz Maslikowski, Piotr Samczynski and Marcin K. Baczyk, “X-Band Receiver for Passive
Imaging Based on TerraSAR-X Illuminator”IEEE,2013.

[2]. T.L.Osborne, L. U. Kibler, and W. W. Snell, “Low Noise Receiving Down-converter”, IEEE,
December 19, 1968.

[3]. ChengYan Ping, yuan tong li, zhangyunchuan, yaowu sheng “Design of X-BAND Receiver on
airborne SAR/GMTI Multi-Model Reconnaissance radar” No.38Research Institute of CETC.

[4]. Faisal Ahmed, Muhammad Furqan, Bernd Heinemann and Andreas Stelzer“A SiGe-Based
Broadband 140 -170-GHz Downconverter for High Resolution FMCW Radar Applications”

[5]. Fajri Darwis, Arie Setiawan, Pamungkas Daud “Performance of Narrow Band Hairpin Band
pass Filter Square Resonator with Folded Coupled Line”Research center for Electronics and
Telecommunication-Indonesian Institute of Science, 2016.

[6]. Buhadeb Maity and Ipsa Pradhan, “Design of a microstrip band pass filter using half
wavelength parallel-edge coupled line for improvement of pass band characteristics”,
IEEE,2015.

[7]. A. O Lindo, Anju P.Mathews, M. Gopikrikshna, “Parallel and end coupled microstrip band
pass filters at W band”, IEEE, December 2009.

[8]. Jen-Tsai Kuo, Ming-JyhMaa and Ping-Han Lu “A Microstrip Elliptic Function Filter with
Compact Miniaturized Hairpin Resonators” IEEE Microwave and Guided Wave Letters, Vol
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[9]. Jimmy Gautam, Shiv Taneja, Jahnavee Sharma, “Design and performance analysis of 2.5 GHz
Microstrip Bandpass Filter for LTE” IEEE,2016.

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