Chapter 54

Design of a 5.8 GHz Bandstop Filter Using

Split Ring Resonator Array

Nor Muzlifah Mahyuddin and Nur Farah Syazwani Ab. Kadir

Abstract Nowadays, ISM band has been widely used by communication, mili-
tary, medical and scientific department. The frequencies for this band are 2.4 GHz
and 5.8 GHz. Heavy traffic has occurred in this frequency range due to high usage
which makes noise easily to occur. Thus, in this work a 5.8 GHz bandstop filter
has been designed to filter the noise that present at this frequency band using SRR
array. It is designed using CST Microwave Studio software. Designing this filter
also requires optimization process i.e. varying the different length of split gap and
number of array used. Subsequently, the design is fabricated using Rogers 4003 as
the substrate and is measured using Agilent PNA-X network analyzer. The result
obtained satisfies a bandstop filter parameters such as insertion loss, return loss,
and bandwidth. A 5.8 GHz SRR bandstop filter is successfully designed with
390 MHz bandwidth, insertion loss and return loss of -26.68 and -2.91 dB
respectively.

Keywords Split-ring resonator  Bandstop filter  ISM band

54.1 Introduction

Nowadays, microwave filters are widely used in many RF and microwave design
application. According to the filter specification, the filter will allow only partic-
ular band of frequencies. Subsequently, filter performs some functions which allow

N. M. Mahyuddin (&)  N. F. S. Ab. Kadir

School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Engineering Campus, Universiti Sains
Malaysia, 14300 Nibong Tebal, Penang, Malaysia
e-mail: ee.mnmuzlifah@eng.usm.my
N. F. S. Ab. Kadir
e-mail: farahwaney@gmail.com

H. A. Mat Sakim and M. T. Mustaffa (eds.), The 8th International Conference 473
on Robotic, Vision, Signal Processing & Power Applications,
Lecture Notes in Electrical Engineering 291, DOI: 10.1007/978-981-4585-42-2_54,
 Springer Science+Business Media Singapore 2014
474 N. M. Mahyuddin and N. F. S. Ab. Kadir

certain electrical frequencies to pass through, blocking certain frequencies from

passing through the filter and completely blocking direct current electrical energy.
For this work, a band-stop filter is required to block any signal coming from the
ISM band, specifically at 5.8 GHz. The ISM band is Industrial, Scientific and
Medical radio bands, where the frequency bands of 2.4 and 5.8 GHz are consid-
ered unlicensed. As time goes by, there are more commercial products or devices
operating within this band. More problems occur as more unwanted signals dis-
rupting operation of other devices within this frequency band, thus the reason why
band-stop filter is required for this purpose.
For low frequencies, lumped elements such as inductors and capacitors are used
in filter design while transmission line sections and waveguide elements is used in
filter design for microwave frequencies [1]. Additionally, microstrip filters also
have been useful in new technology application such as military application,
satellite application and mobile communication.
Recently, there have been high demands on designing microstrip filter using
Split Ring Resonator (SRR) compared to other resonator. Using SRR in designing
filter carries biggest advantage as it is smaller in size that lead to compact size
filter. In addition, SRRs also provide easy fabrication, low radiation loss, high
frequency stability and sharp selectivity in desired resonant frequency [2].
Therefore, in this paper, a square SRR array is designed for a 5.8 GHz band-
stop filter which includes two optimization processes, i.e. varying the different
length of split gap and number of array used. The design metric of interests are the
centre frequency as well as the bandwidth, the insertion loss and the return loss.
Several SRR designs are simulated using CST Microwave Studio and fabricated
and measured using Agilent’s PNA-X N5245 Network Analyzer.

54.2 SRR Band-Stop Filter Design

Essentially, SRR behave as a negative index metamaterial structure or also known

as left handed materials (LHM). LHM is a material that has negative permittivity
and permeability over a band of frequency. An example of metamaterial that
carries LHM characteristic is SRR and metallic rods [3]. Characteristics of a
negative index metamaterial structure are permittivity, e \ 0, permeability, l \ 0
and index of refraction, n \ 0. LFM was first proposed by Veselago [4]. His
research was continued by Pendry after three decades. Pendry had successfully
designed the SRR structures and his work was fabricated by Smith et al. in the year
2000 [5].
According to Mustafa K. Taher Al-Nuaimi and William G. Whittow [6], a
microstrip line which is loaded with the SRR is a single negative medium that
leads to exhibit a stop band characteristic. The resonance frequency obtained from
designing a bandstop filter using SRR is much smaller compared to other reso-
nators. This is due to the large distributed capacitance between the two rings. In
designing the microstrip of the bandstop filter, SRR can only be etched at the upper
54 Design of a 5.8 GHz Bandstop Filter Using Split Ring Resonator Array 475

substrate side near the transmission line [6]. To improve the coupling process, the
distance between the transmission line and the ring should be as small as possible.
Magnetic field is generated when the microstrip transmission line is placed
close together. As for example, if two arrays of SRR are placed at both side of the
transmission line, a magnetic field line is induced by the transmission line across
the SRR [7]. Electric Field, E is perpendicular the SRR plane which is at
z-direction while magnetic field, H is perpendicular to the split gap of the SRR
which is in y-direction.

54.2.1 Split-Ring Resonator Modeling

SRRs commonly known as metamaterial structure are resonators that have split in
the opposite ends of each concentric annular ring. Usually the ring is designed in a
pair which have small gap between them. Usually, it is made up of copper or gold
[6]. Figure 54.1 shows the schematic diagram of a single split-ring resonator with
its parameters. These parameters are tabulated in Table 54.1 indicating the
equations used to calculate these parameters, which was derived by Saha, Siddiqui
and Antar [8].
The resonant frequency and the bandwidth of the SRR can be determined by its
total length and its physical width [9]. Other than that, according to Markos et al.
the resonance frequency also depends on the thickness of the ring, inner diameter,
and the split gap as well as the electrical permittivity of the board itself [10].
Additionally, the gaps of the inner and the outer rings are the main features in
designing the SRR. It represents the capacitance of the rings while the inductance
is represented by the area of both inner and outer rings.
Referring to Volkan Oznazl and Vakur B. Erturk [11], the microstrip line will
have higher Q factor and act as a bandstop filters when it is loaded with the SRR.
This also indicates that better performance will be realized when SRR is in array
coupling to the microstrip transmission line, as shown in Fig. 54.2. Width of the
transmission line is represented by w, b represent the gap between transmission
line and SRR, a represent the gap between ring of SRR, g represent the split gap,
c represent width of ring of SRR and lastly, d represent length of SRR. Values for
the gap between transmission line and SRR, gap between ring of SRR, width of
SRR ring and length of SRR are fixed (Table 54.2). The only parameters that are
varied are the split gap as well as number of arrays.
The SRR array is modeled together with the RO4003C substrate and a 50 X
microstrip line. The substrate has a thickness of 0.813 mm and a dielectric con-
stant of 3.38. Figure 54.3 shows the side view of SRR modeling in CST MWS, as
well as the dimension of a 50 X transmission line with a width of 1.8653 mm and
length of 30 mm. For substrate in this design, it has been laminated with copper
layer at both sides. The copper layer has an electrical conductivity of 5.9E ? 007
S/M and a height of 0.035 mm.
476 N. M. Mahyuddin and N. F. S. Ab. Kadir

Fig. 54.1 Schematic view of a a square SRR formed with metallic strips of width, w, outer
length, aext, and inner length, aavg with inter ring spacing, d and split gap, g, b with thickness of
metallic strip, t, printed on dielectric substrate having thickness, h

Table 54.1 SRR dimension and parameters [8]

Parameter Definition
fo Resonant frequency
p1ffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
2P LT Ceq
LT Total equivalent inductance for a wire of rectangular cross section of a single SRR
having finite length, l and width, w
 
0:0002l 2:303 log10 4lw  c lH
l ¼  8aext  g
c Constant for a wire loop of square qeometry, 2.853
Ceq Total equivalent capacitance with series capacitance, Co and gap capacitance, Cg
ðCo þCg Þ
 2 
Co 4aavg  g Cpul
aavg aext  w  d=2
Cpul Capacitance per unit length
pffiffiffiffi
er =co Zo
Zo Characteristic impedance, 50 X
co Velocity of light in free space, 3 9 108
eo wt
Cg g
54 Design of a 5.8 GHz Bandstop Filter Using Split Ring Resonator Array 477

Fig. 54.2 Schematic view of a square SRR coupled to a microstrip line with its dimension
parameters

Table 54.2 Dimension of Parameter Dimension (mm)

SRR
Gap between transmission line and SRR, b 0.3
Gap between ring of SRR, a 0.3
Width of ring of SRR, c 0.5
Length of SRR, d 4.8

54.2.2 Optimization Process of SRR Band-Stop Filter Design

Optimization process is needed to make sure the design fulfill the requirement of
the bandstop filter specification. In this work, the number of SRR array and the
length of split gap are optimized. Firstly, one SRR array is designed with fixed
split gap length at 0.5 mm to observe the simulation result for design with different
number of array. After the simulated result is obtained, the result is analyzed to
choose the best number of SRR array that satisfy the SRR bandstop filter
specification.
The number of array is increased up to 5 arrays, starting with a single array
SRR filter (Fig. 54.4a). The distance between the SRR arrays has been set as in
Fig. 54.4, where 2 SRRs have been added on each side of the transmission line.
According to Prof. Tzong-Lin Wu from Department of Electrical Engineering
National Taiwan University in his lecture on Microwave Filter Design, the dis-
tance between each resonator is kg/4. The wavelength, kg can be obtained by using
Eq. (54.1) [12]. In order to acquire the best SRR array performance whilst still
478 N. M. Mahyuddin and N. F. S. Ab. Kadir

Fig. 54.3 Side view of SRR modeling with its parameters and dimension

Fig. 54.4 Design of 2 SRR array at both side of the transmission line

maintaining the small and compact size, five different types of SRR array are
designed.
c
kg ¼ pffiffiffiffiffiffi : ð54:1Þ
er f
where
c speed of light, 3 9 108 m/s
er dielectric constant of a substance, 3.38
f resonant frequency, 5.8 GHz

Finally, the best SRR bandstop filter design is obtained with optimized split-gap
length and number of array. The final design is then fabricated and measured using
Agilent PNA-X network analyzer, where its S-parameter results are analyzed.
54 Design of a 5.8 GHz Bandstop Filter Using Split Ring Resonator Array 479

54.3 Result and Discussion

The previous design process begins by a single SRR array using CST software to
observe the behavior of the bandstop filter, and then increased gradually up to 5
array, taking account all the parameters that can influenced the performance such
as the split gap length.

54.3.1 Optimization Results of SRR Band-Stop Filter Design

SRR Band-Stop Filter with Different Number of Array. The design of SRR
bandstop filter is implemented by using different number of SRR array. The S11
parameter and S21 parameter results are tabulated in Table 54.3 to summarize the
finding. From Table 54.3 below, the centre frequency is measured between 5.7 and
5.8 GHz for all different number of arrays. However, the most nearest to 5.8 GHz
is the filter design with 5 SRR array and a single SRR array. Subsequently, the
filter with 5 SRR array design has higher return loss and lower insertion loss
compared to other array types. Therefore, for this first set of optimization, the 5
SRR array design is chosen.
SRR Band-Stop Filter with Different Split Gap Length. The split gap of
SRR is the main feature in designing the SRR bandstop filter. Thus, to make sure
the design fulfils the specification limit; the split gap is varied for three different
lengths which are 0.5, 0.6 and 0.7 mm. This helps in analyzing which length of
split gap satisfy the specification of the SRR bandstop filter for 5 array of SRR. In
terms of centre frequency, the most nearest to 5.8 GHz is the filter design with split
gap length of 0.7 mm. In addition, this design also has the best return loss per-
formance, which is near to 0 dB. Even though the design with the split gap length
of 0.7 mm has the worst insertion loss performance compared to the other designs,
it is still acceptable as it still resides below -20 dB. Therefore, for this set of
optimization, the SRR filter design with split gap length of 0.7 mm is chosen
(Table 54.4).

54.3.2 Final Result of Optimized SRR Band-Stop

Filter Design

The final design that successfully satisfies the bandstop filter design is the bandstop
filter with 5 SRR array with split gap length of 0.7 mm. Figure 54.5 shows the
layout and fabricated design of bandstop filter with 5 SRR array. The final design
is simulated using CST Microwave Studio and measured using network analyzer
where both simulated and measured results are compared as shown in Figs. 54.6
480 N. M. Mahyuddin and N. F. S. Ab. Kadir

Table 54.3 Specification of SRR bandstop filter for different SRR array
Number of SRR array Centre frequency (GHz) S11 parameter (dB) S21 parameter (dB)
1 5.8 -3.26 -9.36
2 5.69 -2.78 -30.7
3 5.67 -3.17 -18.97
4 5.68 -3.18 -26.33
5 5.7 -1.89 -60.91

Table 54.4 S-parameter results for different split gap length of SRR
Gap length, Cp (mm) Centre frequency (GHz) Return loss, S11 (dB) Insertion loss, S21 (dB)
0.5 5.7 -3.48 -60.91
0.6 5.76 -2.71 -51.2
0.7 5.81 -1.89 -29.59

Fig. 54.5 a The layout and b fabricated design of 5 SRR array bandstop filter

and 54.7 indicating the centre frequency, insertion loss and return loss from both
results.
The filter performance is simulated and measured at 4–7 GHz frequency range.
The centre frequency is measured at 5.78 GHz where there is only 0.8 %
54 Design of a 5.8 GHz Bandstop Filter Using Split Ring Resonator Array 481

Fig. 54.6 The return loss of

5 SRR array bandstop filter

Fig. 54.7 The insertion loss

of 5 SRR array bandstop filter
Magnitude (dB)

Frequency (GHz)

difference with the simulated one. In terms of bandwidth, the simulated result
produces a bandwidth of 220 MHz whilst there is 44 % increase of bandwidth
when measured, resulting in 390 MHz of bandwidth. However, both results show
that the bandwidth for this filter design is slightly wider than the expected band-
width of 5.8 GHz ISM band, which is at 150 MHz.
From previous simulated analysis, the insertion loss and return loss are mea-
sured at -29.59 and -1.89 dB respectively. However, when measured, the
insertion loss decreases to -26.68 dB whilst the return loss is at -2.91 dB, with
10.9 and 35 % differences respectively. These differences may occur due to the
losses that may present during fabrication process, soldering process, temperature
of surrounding, the SMA connector used and testing apparatus which are cable and
connector.

54.4 Conclusion

A bandstop filter incorporating SRR array is successfully designed at 5.8 GHz

with a bandwidth of 390 MHz. The insertion loss obtained is more than -20 dB,
which is at -26.68 dB and the return loss obtained is close to 0 dB, at -2.91 dB.
This is acquired through two optimization processes, i.e. the length of split gap, g,
and the number of SRR array are varied to find the best bandstop filter perfor-
mance. From the results obtained, it can be concluded that the bandstop filter
design with 5 SRR array with split gap of 0.7 mm meet the bandstop filter
requirements at 5.8 GHz.
482 N. M. Mahyuddin and N. F. S. Ab. Kadir

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