Microwave Filter Element Removal for Sharp Rejection in Less Space
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional microwave filter designs face challenges in achieving a balance between low insertion loss, steep rejection slope, and compact size due to the requirement for low internal resistance in resonators, which often results in increased size and cost, and existing optimization methods fail to reduce the number of circuit elements or change their types effectively.
Innovation Solution
The Element Removal Design (ERD) technique optimizes acoustic wave microwave filters by reducing the number of circuit elements through computer-aided methods, such as Agilent ADS, by identifying and removing insignificant elements and transforming them into static capacitances, thereby improving frequency response and reducing the filter's footprint and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional microwave filter designs use resonators with low internal resistance to achieve low insertion loss, then insertion loss is reduced, but the size and cost of the filter increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes insignificant circuit elements (such as certain resonators or coupling elements) from the filter design. By identifying elements that contribute minimally to the overall filter performance, the design eliminates these components to reduce size and cost while maintaining acceptable insertion loss through optimization of the remaining elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms insignificant circuit elements into static capacitances with optimized values. By changing the type and parameters of remaining circuit elements, the design achieves the required filter performance with fewer components, thereby reducing filter size while maintaining energy efficiency.
2Reliability
If conventional optimization methods are used to improve filter performance, then frequency response is enhanced, but the number of circuit elements remains unchanged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent systematically identifies and removes insignificant circuit elements from the filter design. Through computer-aided analysis, elements that have minimal impact on the overall frequency response are eliminated, reducing the number of circuit elements while preserving the essential filter characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms remaining circuit elements into optimized configurations, such as converting insignificant resonators into static capacitances with carefully selected values. This parameter optimization ensures that the reduced circuit topology maintains the desired frequency response and filter performance.
3Reliability
If more circuit elements are used to achieve steeper rejection slopes, then rejection performance is improved, but the filter size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the parameters of remaining circuit elements, such as adjusting the values of static capacitances and the characteristics of essential resonators, to achieve steeper rejection slopes. By carefully selecting and tuning these parameters, the design attains improved rejection performance without adding more circuit elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses computer-aided modeling and simulation to predict and optimize the frequency response of the reduced circuit topology. Through virtual prototyping and iterative optimization, the design achieves the desired rejection characteristics before manufacturing, ensuring performance targets are met with fewer physical components.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach results in a smaller, more cost-effective microwave filter with improved frequency response, including lower insertion loss and steeper rejection slopes, while maintaining compatibility with traditional manufacturing processes.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of resonators, which store energy very efficiently at a resonant frequency
Implementation Method 2
couplings, which couple electromagnetic energy between the resonators to form multiple reflection zeros
Data Source
AI summary
A method of designing a microwave filter using a computerized filter optimizer, comprises generating a filter circuit design in process (DIP) comprising a plurality of circuit elements having a plurality of resonant elements and one or more non-resonant elements, optimizing the DIP by inputting the DIP into the computerized filter optimizer, determining that one of the plurality of circuit elements in the DIP is insignificant, removing the one insignificant circuit element from the DIP, deriving a final filter circuit design from the DIP, and manufacturing the microwave filter based on the final filter circuit design.