Tunable bandpass filter design based on external quality factor tuning and multiple mode resonators for wideband applications

In this paper, a tunable bandpass filter using cross-shaped multiple mode resonators (MMRs) and N : 1 transformer based external quality factor tuning structures is proposed. The use of a cross-shaped MMR simplifies inter-resonators control while two tuning structures are investigated and incorporated with the MMR to implement simultaneous center frequency agility and narrow and wide bandwidth tuning. Compared with traditional tunable filters, the proposed architecture requires less tuning elements and is easier to realize wideband and high-order tunable filters. Two examples (Filter I and II) are presented to validate the design. Both filters use a single MMR and six tuning elements to achieve a third-order wideband tunable filter. Filter I reports 58% center frequency tuning with constant bandwidth and 14%-64.4% fractional bandwidth (FBW) tuning when center frequency locates at 1 GHz. Filter II achieves larger frequency agility and wider FBW tuning of 82.9% and 95%, respectively, for the same bandwidth and center frequency of Filter I. © 2013 IEEE.