FA4-5

A design of tunable UWB filters

Hitoshi Ishida Kiyomichi Araki

Dep. Electrical & Electronics Engineering Dept. Electrical & Electronics Engineering,

Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo, Japan Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo, Japan
e-mail ishida@,mobile.ee.titech.ac.iu e-mail araki@mobile.ee.titech.ac.jp

Abstract - A novel design method is proposed for

UWB[l,Z] filters using a ring resonator structure with
a stub. A five stage UWB filter with 86.6% relative 11. RING FILTER
bandwidth is fabricated based on the design method
which shows a n excellent performance, i.e. low Fig.1 shows Schematic diagram of a microstrip Ring Filter.
insertion loss of 0.58dB and flat group delay of 1.6nsec.
.. ~-
We also extend the design method to the one for a wide I
~

symmetry plane 1
range tunable filter. Simulated results show that more
than 40% tunable range can be obtained with single
capacitor for each ring resonator.
Port I
I. INTRODUCTION
Design techniques for single mode microstrip filters
such as broad side edge coupled filters have already been
established. The high performance requirements for
communication satellite frequency multiplexers typically
are satisfied by the use of dual mode cavity or dielectric
resonator filters. Cavity and dielectric resonator filters
Fig.1. Schematic diagram of a microstrip Ring Filter
have the drawbacks of relatively large size and high cost
[3-41. Use of dual mode resonators allows the realization
The feeding lines are directly coupled to a ring. The
of a compact high-qualily microwave BPF whose
circumference of the ring is one wavelength & long at the
attenuation poles play a role in improving the skirt
center frequency. An electrical length 0 is defmed :as
characteristics [S-9].
ZrrfxVv, where f, I and v are a frequency, a length of one
nlere have been many studies on dual mode ring
section and a velocity, respectively.
resonator BPFs because such resonators have very simple
The ring has characteristic impedances of Z, and Z, and
stmctures. However, few papers have been published
a length of h8/2. The open stub pemtrbation having a
regarding the attenuation pole frequency control of a dual
characteristic impedance and length of 23 and &/4,
mode BPF. In [7], experimental data are presented for
respectively, is placed in the symmetry plane.
attenuation pole frequency control over a wide range
The structure in Fig.1 can be analyzed by adopting
using various combinations of stub perturbation.
even-odd mode analysis. For even-mode excitation, the
This article extends the transmission line model to our
symmetry plane will act as an open end, i.e., as a perfect
ring resonator and stub. We will present the conditions for
magnetic wall. For odd-mode excitation, the symmetry
achieving attenuation poles for such a Ring Filter.
plane will be short circuited, i.e., a perfect electric plane.
]In addition, we employ a tuning capacitor shunted to
the ground at the stub end, the interaction between the
Ring and stub lines creates a stopband frequency which 111. ATTENUATION
POLES
can be varied by changing the tuning capacitor, C .
Attenuation poles appearing in the Ring Filter me
easy to find. The condition for producing attenuation
poles is given by setting the to zero.

0-7803-8373-7/04/$20.0002004 IEEE - 424 -

 Fig. 3 l h e attenuation pole 0, as a function of degree.
Hence, the attenuation pole frequencies can be
calculated using tan28,=0.S51, which leads to the results
where
in case of 2GHz center frequency below:
A = {Z,Z2jtan8+Zo(Z,+Z,)k-Z,Z22jtan3e-2,2,2taii28 36.6"~2GHd90"=0.813GHz
+Z,(Z,Z, +2Z,(Z, +Z,))j tan0 +2Z,Z,Z,) 143.4"x2GHd90"=3. I9GHz

Setting S2, to zero gives the following characteristics Table 1 Experimental and theoretical Ring BSF
equation for attenuation frequencies, fy=epv/( 2 4 :

0.813
3.19 3.19

IV. RING BAND-STOP FILTER
Fig.2 shows the response of the fabricated Ring Filter
with Z0=Z,=50n, Z2=132n, Z3=24.6R and I=Ag14. The
thickness and relative dielectric constant of the substrate
are 1.6mm and 3.5, respectively.
A s shown in Fig.2, the attenuation poles were observed
at 0.81GHz and 3.I9GHz. The total insertion loss
including feeding line loss is about 0.18dB and the group
delay is about 0.7nsec at the center frequency of 2GHz.
,
; ~ , . l ~ , u r ~ 3 ~ -. [ ~ - - ' - :
The experimental and theoretical attenuation pole
positions are shown in Table 1, and are in good agreement
with each other. To obtain high rejection, we have tried
various values of the tuning stub characteristic impedance
Ring Filter cascaded connection.
V. DESIGNOF 5-STAGE
UWB BPF
Fig.4 shows the fabricated UWB BPF. The thickness
and relative dielectric constant of the substrate are
I ''-''i-------
, , . t 0.38mm and 2.2, respectively.
.-

.40 \.+.eG"i_~;
..... ~ .
+&..i
~: ~ ~ .I
0.5 2 3.5
Frequency (GHr)
Fig.4. Photograph o f a IO-pole UWB BPF.
Fig. 2 Measured results of the Ring Filter.
To produce' the necessary I O poles we have tried
By using Equation (2), we can obtain the following various values of stub characteristics impedance,
relationship for the Ring BSF: Z3=21.6n, 15.6n, 11.7C2, 9 . I n and 7.6Q in case of
6.5GHz center frequency.
Fig.5 shows ther response , ~of
~ i , x ,,,.... ,* the fabricated
. .-... - -
UWB BPF.
5 ' " ' ;- :'...,
(ii ...... -. ..~-
, .._.,_ C r . ~ - ~ _
r.-.
.

. .
-. ~ ... . ~ ~.... .. .
65 11
Frequcnoi PHI)

(a) Transmission and Reflection characteristics

- A35 -
 The equation describes the scattering matrix of the
reduced two-port network.
0
Setting S2,, to zero gives the following load of
-20
reflection coefficient r, for attenuation frequencies:
-40

-60
Power conservation is true for reciprocal as well as for
-80
nonreciprocal network. Therefore, the normalized
2 65 11 scattering matrix of any reciprocal or nonreciprocal
Frequency (GHz) lossless network is unitary. The [SI matrix satisfies the
(b) Group delay characteristics
unitary matrix. The unitary properties of the [SI matrix
Fig3 Measured results ofthe 10-pole UWB BPF lead to the following relationship:
Ir,l=1 (6)
The UWB BPF has an insertion loss better than 0.53dB
The Ring Filter is made to control the attenuation pole
and return loss greater than lOdB in the passband from
frequency by adjusting both the ring and stub impedance.
3.8GHz to 9.2GHz. The group delay of the filter is below
O.6nsec within the UWB passband.
We extend the design method to and r, phase
relationship. Fig.7 shows a simulated result of and r,
phase characteristics of a microstrip Ring Filter.
VI. ATTENUATION
POLECOND~T~ON
Let the scattering matrix of the lossless three-port

[::::j
network shown in Fig.6 be given by

[SI= s21 s22 (3)

s32

0 6.5 13
I I
Frequency (GHz)

rl
(a)Simulated results of r, and r phase characteristics

U
Fig.6 A three-port network with its port #3 terminated -20
in an arbitrary load. s
E -40
If port 3 of the network is terminated in a load of v)-

reflection coefficient r,
, we find that the scattering v)
E -60
matrix 1gfilofthe reduced two-port network is given by -80

s22
’23‘32‘
1- s3,r
f-

I (4)
0 6.5
Frequency (GHz)
(b) Transmission and Reflection characteristics
Fig.7 Simulated results of r,,
and I- characteristics
13

- 426 -
 The Simulated results of and r, phase
characteristics are shown in Fig.7 (a), and attenuation pole
positions are in good agreement with each other.

VII. DESIGN
OF TUNABLE R " C FILTER

The Ring Filter is made to control the attenuation pole

frequency by adjusting both the ring and stub impedance.
However, to produce the 2GHz and 1 lGHz attenuation
pole positions, we have to produce the very small value of
stub Characteristics impedance, Z3=7.6C2.
We extend the design method to a wide range tunable
-40

0.05
j
:
~;
!
........
......"._~
:
~ }
; .............
!
.....................
.

6.5
I .
.......
........
: 1
............
-""..
...
~
~!
1-40
12.95
filter. Fig.8 shows a schematic diagram of a microstrip
tunable Ring Filter. Frequency (GHz)
(b) Measured results of
Transmission and Reflection characteristics

Fig.9 Simulated and Measured results of Z3=5On and

C=lOpF, in case of 6.5GHz center 6equency.

As shown in Fig.9, the attenuation poles were observed

jjL3
'\TU"
: 50R
i ng
F i g 3 Schematic diagram of microstrip
tunable Ring Filter.
In the microstrip tunable Ring Filter, we employ a
tuning capacitor shunted to the ground at the stub end. A
transmission line with IOW characteristic impedance needs
a large distributed Capacitance and an electric field is
dominant at an open end.
Fig.9 shows the simulated result of Zi=62.3n, Z2=90n,
Z3=50C2 and C=lOpF, in case of 6.5GHz center frequency.
0 function oftuning capacitance are sown in Fig.10.
capac t tor
at 0.84GHz and IOSGHz. To produce the attenuation pole
at 0.84GHz, we must choose the value of stub
characteristics impedance, & = l . l n , in case of Ring Filter
with Z1=62.3n, Z ~ = 9 0 nofthe 6.5GHz center 6equency.
Introducing a lumped capacitance at the stub end, low
characteristic impedance becomes unnecessary. The
tuning capacitor means a change in the characteristic
impedance without capacitor loading.
A microstrip tunable Ring Filter was fabricated on
Duroid 5880 substrate with the thickness and relative
dielectric constant of the substrate are 0.38mm and 2.2,
respectively. The Ring Filter is chosen to be Zl=62.3n,
Z2=90n, Z3=50n and, in case of 6.5GHz center frequency.
The theoretical and experimental tuning curves as a
1 0 . ; ..................

-20
9.- -40
-
v

v)

'
)v -60

-80
*
........... . .
.
... . .~. : . . . . .
0 6.5 13 U. .-A:_. .......... :. .:...... ~ ......
0.0 0.5 14 1,s 2.0 2,s
Frequency (GHz) Capacitance lpn
(a) Simulated results of Fig.10 The relationship between resonant frequencies and
Transmission and Reflection characteristics tuning capacitance.

- 427 -
 The chip capacitor used here is from SUMITOMO
METALS (Model 1608) with a capacitance varied from
0.1 to 1.1pF. The experimental tuning range agrees very
well with the simulated prediction.
The resonant frequency was tuned from 2.3 to 3.65GHz
and from 6.8 to 8.SGHz. These are approximately 45%
and 22% tuning bandwidth.
VII. CONCLUSION
We have successfully controlled two sharp stopband of
a microstrip Ring Filter. We can control the attenuation
pole frequency of the Ring Filter over a wide range using
combinations ofZl/Zz and Z3/Z2.
The filter has a constant group delay within the
passband. The practical ability to exert a wide range of
control over attenuation pole frequency using this method
is expected to be extremely useful in Ultra Wideband
System.
We extend the design method to a tunable filter. In the
microstrip tunable Ring Filter, the resonator has a tuning
capacitor shunted to the ground at the stub end.
Resonance occurs when the capacitive reactance matches
the inductive reactance of the resonator line. The
interaction between the Ring and stub lines creates a
stopband frequency which can be varied by changing the
tuning capacitance, C.
REFERENCES
[I] Federal Communication Commission, First
Report and Order, FCC02, V48, Apr.2002.
[2] J.R.Foerster, “The Performance of Direct-
Sequence Spread Ultra-wideband System in the
Presence of Multipath, Narrowband Interference, and
Multiuser Interference,” Proc. IEEE Conf. on Ultra
Wideband System and Technologies, pp87-91, May
2002.
[3] Y.Kobayashi and K.Kubo, “Canonical band pass
filters using dual-mode dielectric resonators,” IEEE
MTT-S Digest, D-3, pp.137-140, June 1987.
[4] R.R.Bonetti and A.E.Williams, “Application of
Dual TM modes to Triple- and Quadrupole-Mode
Filters, ” IEEE Trans. Microwave Theory
Tech.,vol.MTT-35, pp. 1143-1149,Dec.1987.
[SI LWolf, “Microstrip Bandpass Filter using
degenerate modes of a microstrip ring resonator,”
Electron.Lett., vo1.8,Nu.12, pp.302-303, 1972.
[6] M.Matsuo, H.Yabuki and M.Makimoto, “Dual-
mode Stepped-Impedance Ring Resonator for
Bandpass Filter Applications,” IEEE Trans.
- 428
Microwave Theory Tech., MTT-49, pp. 1235-1240,
July.200 1.
[7] l.Awai, “General Theory of a Circular Dual-Mode
Resonator and Filter,” IEICE Trans. Electron., vol.
E81-C, No.11, pp.1757-1763, 1998.
[8] A.C.Kundu and I.Awai, “Control of Attenuation
Pole Frequency of a Dual-mode Microstrip Ring
Resonator Bandpass Filter,” IEEE Trans. Microwave
Theory Tech., MTT-49, pp. 11 13-1 117, June.2001.
[9] L-H.Hsieh and KChang, “Compact, Low
Insertion-Loss, Sharp-Rejection, and Wide-Band
Microstrip Bandpass Filters,” IEEE Trans.
Microwave Theory Tech, MTT-51, pp.1241-1246,
Apri1.2003.
[IO] Hee-Ran Ahn,Ingo Wolff and Noh-Hoon Myung,
“Small-Sized Wideband CVT- and CCT-Ring
Filters,” IEEE MTT-S Digest, THlB-4, pp1607-1610,
June 2003.
Boon Tiong Tan, Siou Teck Chew, Mook Seng
[ 1 I]
Leong and Ban Leong Ooi, “A Dual-Mode Bandpass
Filter With Enhanced Capacitive Perturbation,” IEEE
Trans. Microwave Theory Tech., MTT-51, pp.1906-
1910, August. 2003.
[12] 1.C.Hunter and J.D.Rhodes, “Electronically
Tunable Microwave Bandstop Filters,” IEEE Trans.
Microwave Theory Tech., MTT-30, pp.1361-1367,
September. 1982.
[I31 K.Chang, T.S.Manin, F.Wang and J.Klein, “On
the study of Microstrip Ring and Varactor-Tuned
Ring Circuits,” IEEE Trans. Microwave Theory Tech.,
MTT-35, pp.1288-1295, December. 1987.
[ 141 T.S.Martin, F.Wang and K.Chang, “Theoretical
and Experimental Investigation of Novel Varactor-
Tuned Switchable Microstrip Ring resonator
Circuits ,” IEEE Trans. Microwave Theory Tech.,
MTT-36, pp.1733-17395, December. 1988.
[15] H.Trabelsi and C.Cruchon, “A Varactor-Tuned
Active Microwave Bandpass Filter ,” IEEE
Microwave Guided Wave Lett., v01.2, pp.231-232,
June. 1992.
[I61 H.Ishida and K.Araki, “Design and Analysis of
UWB Band Pass Filter,” 2003 IEEE TCWC, Waikiki,
Hawaii, 2003.
[17] H.Ishida and K.Araki, “Design and Analysis of
Band Pass Filter with Ring Resonator,” 2003 Asia-
Pacific Microwave Conference, pp96-99,2003.
-