Proceedings of the 36th European Microwave Conference
Liquid Crystal Tunable Filter Based On DBR Topology
J.F. Bernigaud, N. Martin, P. Laurent, C. Quendo, G. Tanne, B. Della, F. Huret, Ph. Gelin
LEST - UMR CNRS 6165, 6 avenue Le Gorgeu, 29238 BREST Cedex 3, France
Tel. +33(0)298 01 73 59, e-mail: jean-francois.bernigaud@univ-brest.fr
Abstract - The use of liquid crystals for tunable devices
has already been investigated for phase-shifters and
antennas in planar technology. Here, the focus is, first, on a
half-wavelength open-circuited stub resonator, then on a
second-order dual behavior resonator filter. To have the
benefit of liquid crystal anisotropy and thus obtain agility, a
bias voltage is applied to the device under study. In order to
avoid the shift observed between simulated and measured
results of the half-wavelength open-circuited stub for the
first structure, the technological process has been improved
for the second one in the aim to reduce mismatching and LC
leaking.
Index Terms - Liquid crystal, tunable filter, dual
behavior resonator.
I. INTRODUCTION
The last years have seen the constant development of
wireless telecommunication systems brought by the
multiplication of standards and proposed services. Among
them, a given application requires a system adapted to the
standard of concern. The device complexity is increased
by the difficulty experienced in working with these
different standards. Various solutions are possible such as
the introduction of a data processing sequence for each
standard; but this process induces the parallel operation of
several systems and complicates the management of the
unit. Another solution consists in the use of a single
system enabling a selection of either one or the other
among the involved standards; indeed, the future
communication systems will have to be multi-norms for
adaptation to the selected standard and to avoid the
multiplication of systems. For the front-end radio,
different electronic functions such as antennas, filters or
phase shifters need to be tunable. This agility in
frequency can be obtained thanks to several types of
elements such as active components (PIN diodes, varactor
diodes or FET transistors) [1]. The recent technological
advances have highlighted other means liable to reach the
same objectives. Among them, let us mention
components like Micro-Electro Mechanical Systems
(MEMS) [2, 3] whose electrical characteristics are
changed by application of a continuous voltage. We can
also cite the tunable materials, whose properties depend
on the magnetic or electric nature of the command; but,
one should keep in mind that the insertion of an electric
command in portable devices will be easier than that of a
magnetic one. Among the dielectric materials,
ferroelectrics and liquid crystals (LCs) are widely used.
Reports are available in the literature about investigations
carried out on the use of LCs to achieve planar phase
shifters [4]-[6]. Recently, LCs have been implemented in
2-9600551-6-0 (D 2006 EuMA
other planar electronic functions such as antennas [7],
delay line [8], or waveguide [9].
This study focuses on tunable filters using LC and will
be split into three main parts preceded by a brief
description of LC dielectric properties (Section II). Thus,
Section III will briefly describe the former structure under
study together with its drawbacks. Section IV will detail
the new structure, and Section V will propose a new
design approach based on a dual-behavior resonator
(DBR) topology. Section VI will report on the simulation
and measurement results.
II. LC IN MICROWAVES
The main property of LCs in the microwave range is
the dielectric anisotropy obtained by application of a
static field, either electric or magnetic. These materials
are used in their nematic phase, where the dielectric
anisotropy is higher than in any other phase. This phase
appears at room temperature for the LCs employed in this
study, i.e. K15 and BL037 (Merck). A frequency
characterization of both LCs from 1 to 26 GHz was
reported in [7]. Table 1 gives the dielectric constant and
losses at 5 GHz.
Table 1: Dielectric properties of K15 and BL037 LC (8'reffL
and C'reff// are relative dielectric permittivities respectively
obtained by application of a perpendicular or parallel magnetic
field; AE'eff iS the dielectric anisotropy, and tg6 defines the
losses)
III. TEST CIRCUIT: STUB FILTER
Fig. l.a shows a half-wavelength open-circuited stub
deliberately designed from a quite simple technology.
One should note that this technology was previously used
in other circuits such as phase-shifters and antennas [7]
and led to promising results. It consists of three elements:
a copper-made ground plane, a cavity containing the LC
and a substrate with the designed filter. These three
elements were assembled by hand, and the unit is
maintained by screws. A prerequisite to assembly is the
deposition of polyvinylalcohol (PVA) on the ground
plane and on the copper-printed surface of the filter to
give an initial orientation to the LC molecules without
application of a bias voltage. The Fig l.b shows the
layout of the open-circuited stub issued from simulations.
368 September 2006, Manchester UK
The characteristic impedance of the transmission lines is
50Q
and the theoretical resonant frequency is fixed at
10 GHz.
Liquid crystal Ground plane
9.79 mm
Transmission line Substrate
(a)
Fig. 1. Filter structure and layout of the stub filter
Simulations carried out under ADS "momentum",
predicted a shift of the resonant frequency equal to
240 MHz induced by the change of dielectric permittivity
from 2.7 to 2.9 further to the application of a static
electric field. Fig. 2 depicts the results of measurements
and highlights a slighter variation of the resonance
frequency (100 MHz) due to a wrong alignment of the LC
molecules with no DC voltage. This frequency shift
observed between simulated and measured data likely
results from a badly mastered PVA deposition. Moreover,
LC leaking due to a bad sealing of the structure has been
observed.
Fig. 2. Reflection parameter measurement of the double stub
filter without and with DC voltage applied
Nevertheless, this first study was very promising. The
technological problems are now identified and must be
taken into account in future designs. Thus, we investigate
on a new technological process.
IV. NEW TECHNOLOGICAL PROCESS
In order to avoid the previous drawbacks issued from
the former device, let us now propose a new technological
process.
Fig. 3 depicts this new structure; the bottom part, made
of alumina, is composed of a cavity, where the liquid
crystal is housed, and of a ground plane stuck below it.
The upper side of the ground plane in physical contact
with BLO37 is beforehand covered with PVA and
brushed with abrasive material to give an initial
orientation to the LC molecules with no applied bias
voltage in order to increase dielectric anisotropy.
The upper part of the structure is made of
Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). We chose this kind of
material to take benefits of its properties; indeed, its
rigidity is helpful to hold the circuit, and its low
permittivity allows the concentration of field lines within
the LC. Once stuck under this part, the filter is covered
19.7 1 mm
with PVA and brushed before being sandwiched between
the upper and lower parts of the structure. The final
assembly of the structure is made with a glued dielectric
termed ink and placed so that it does not disturb the
electrical response of the filter.
(b)
- PTFE
Acces
lines
Circuit
Acces Alumina
lines
t a Cavity filled
Dielectic up with LC
Glue
Ground Plane
Fig. 3. Structure design.
After its insertion in the cavity, LC is considered by the
microstrip line as the main substrate; thus, its properties
are modified by application of an external static electric
field.
Before comparing this structure with the former one, it
is worth noting that the proposed device took benefits
from improvement in term of conception. Indeed, the
different parts are now glued with a dielectric ink instead
of being screwed as previously; the assembly being, thus,
more accurate and more precise, the positioning problems
at the origin of impedance breaking are avoided.
Moreover, the LC-housing cavity is now drilled in the
substrate, which prevents LC from leaking. As the
technological process is set, we have to choose a topology
filter that presents a narrow bandpass to clearly show the
shift of the function. Nevertheless, we have to implement
simple structure like stubs with inductive feeding to avoid
the use of an anisotropic substrate model and to facilitate
the bias voltage. In this way, DBR filter appears as a very
good compromise. Indeed the central frequency and the
bandwidth can be tuned by only modifying lengths [10],
so it can be easily controlled by permittivity variation
V. SYNTHESIS OF THE DBR FILTER
DBRs are particular structures [ 1] whose operation is
based on the use of two different parallel stop-band
elements. Each of them brings its own transmission zero,
whereas their association in parallel includes a
constructive recombination. Thus, a DBR structure allows
one to independently control 1 pole in the bandpass, 1
transmission zero in the lower stop band and another one
in the upper stop band. Among the numerous DBR
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topologies available, one of the simplest ones is based on
the parallel association of two open-circuited stubs of 0v -T
different lengths. Its easy implementation drove us to
I
-10-
choose this topology for the design of our circuits. -20-
The inherent specifications of the filter are entered in 44 -30-
t t
equations called synthesis equations [12]. Their resolution t t
E E -40-
allows one to get the electrical parameters of the lines Z!11
f:).. f:)..
Z!11 -50-
(length, characteristic impedance). Then, these parameters C/. C/. -60-
are input in models available with the ADS software. The -7(0- I. .... ...i
I I
I I
device is then simulated by taking into account 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
discontinuities and ends effects. After modifications and Frequency (GHz)
optimization of the circuit, an electromagnetic simulation
of the global structure is carried out with Ansoft-HFSS Fig. 6. Wide band electromagnetic response of the filter for
software. This 3-D simulator permits one to consider all an effective permittivity of the LC equal to 2.35.
of the structure elements, i.e. alumina, dielectric ink,
liquid crystal and PTFE. Fig. 7 shows the measurement results. Agility is
The DBR under study is a second-order bandpass filter obtained by application of a DC voltage. One should also
with a central frequency at 5 GHz. The standard for the note the 300-MHz bandwidth shift. Comparing with
access line size is 50 Q. But, as the electromagnetic field frequency shift obtained with the first structure, it induces
goes successively through media of different permittivity an assessment of the efficiencies of the novel structure
(Fig. 4), it induces differences in line widths responsible and new design.
for discontinuities. Thus, being always matched is
paramount. Simulations and measurements results are in agreement
and the central frequency shift achieved is around
Circuit PTFE 300 MHz.
Access Line Dielectric Ink
Liquid Crystal
2--- Alumina
Ground Plane
1 2131 4 5
Section 1 Alumina Section 4. Alumina + PTFE
Section 2: Alumina + Air + PTFE Section 5. LC + PTFE
Section 3: Alumina + Dielectric Ink PTFE

Fig. 4. Transversal cut of the structure.

The photo below (Fig. 5) shows the two different parts I

of the structure before assembly. On the left, we can see 1 2 3 4 5 6
Frequency ( GHz)
7 8 9 10

the second order filter stuck on the PTFE. On the right,
we can recognize the alumina substrate glued to the
ground plane. The LC cavity is drilled in alumina.
Circuit
PTFE
Fig. 5. The two different parts of the structure.
VI. DBR FILTER SIMULATION AND
MEASUREMENTS
An electromagnetic simulation of the structure has been
realised for a permittivity of the LC equal to 2.35, we
obtained the following results:
Fig. 7 Measurement of the filter with and without DC
voltage applied.
VII. CONCLUSION
Ground Plane
Access Lines We realized a first structure to evidence technological
Cavity limits. It led us to propose a novel structure and a new
Alumina design; their association considerably enhanced the circuit
performances. In the filtering domain, the use of liquid
crystals sounds to be very promising for future
researches. Thus, in the short term, the millimetric
domain, where LC losses are lower, will be among the
frequency range seasily reached. Moreover, the study of a
filter which presents a higher frequency shift will be a
promising work.
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