T-Shaped Planar Filter for Ultra-Wideband Signal Processing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current broadband microwave filters face challenges in achieving high performance, compact size, and flexibility in design, especially in ultra-wideband applications, with existing technologies often requiring tuning screws and being bulky or difficult to integrate with other circuitry.

Innovation Solution

A filter unit design utilizing a T-shaped planar structure with a shunt connection that defines the center frequency, comprising multiple transmission lines with characteristic impedances less than the system impedance, allowing for a compact, flexible, and cost-effective implementation of ultra-wideband filters with broad bandwidth and steep cut-off frequencies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional broadband microwave filter designs are used, then filter performance can be achieved, but the filters become bulky and difficult to integrate with other circuitry

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilter performanceVSAvoidfilter size
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from traditional three-dimensional bulky filter structures to a two-dimensional planar configuration using transmission lines on a substrate. This dimensional reduction enables compact integration while maintaining filter performance through careful design of transmission line characteristics and coupling mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical tuning screws and adjustable components with fixed transmission line structures whose filtering characteristics are determined by their geometric dimensions and electrical properties. This substitution eliminates the need for mechanical adjustment mechanisms while achieving precise filter response through controlled impedance design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If traditional filter designs with tuning screws are used, then frequency adjustment is possible, but the design complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency adjustment capabilityVSAvoiddesign complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent achieves frequency selectivity and filter characteristics by varying transmission line parameters such as characteristic impedance, electrical length, and coupling distance. These parameters are determined during design based on desired filter specifications, eliminating the need for post-manufacturing mechanical tuning while maintaining adaptability to different frequency requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The filter design incorporates pre-calculated transmission line dimensions and coupling configurations that are optimized during the design phase to achieve the desired frequency response. This preliminary optimization eliminates the need for subsequent mechanical adjustments and simplifies both design and manufacturing processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If broadband filtering is achieved through traditional methods, then wide bandwidth can be obtained, but the spatial extension and bulkiness increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovebandwidthVSAvoidspatial extension
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the broadband filter into multiple discrete transmission line sections with different characteristic impedances and electrical lengths. Each segment contributes to the overall frequency response, allowing the synthesis of wide bandwidth characteristics through the combined effect of segmented structures rather than requiring a single large continuous structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent achieves broadband performance in a compact planar format by utilizing transmission lines that extend in two dimensions on a substrate rather than requiring three-dimensional volumetric structures. This allows wide bandwidth filtering to be achieved with minimal spatial extension through careful arrangement of transmission line segments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3516766B1T-shaped broadband bandpass filter
Publication Date: 2024.10.09 SAAB AB
  • EP3516766B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP3516766B1 patent drawingFigure 5a~5b
  • EP3516766B1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

The present invention relates to a filter unit (40), a bandpass filter (50) and a system (60) for detection. The filter unit (40) has a center frequency and comprises a first dielectric substrate (19), a first conducting plane (15), and at least one transmission arrangement (20).The at least one transmission arrangement (20) comprises a shunt node(25)which has a shunt connection (30) to the conducting plane (15). The electrical length of the shunt connection(30)defines the center frequency of the filter unit (40). The transmission arrangement(20)further comprises a plurality of transmission lines (23-1, …, 23-n, 24-1, …, 24-m) connected in series between an input port (21) and an output port (22), where in each port is connectable to auxiliary systems (31,32) with a system impedance. Moreover, each transmission line (23-1, …, 23-n, 24-1, …, 24-m) has a characteristic impedance (Za-1, …, Za-n, Zb1, …, Zb-m) and wherein the characteristic impedance(Za-1, …, Za-n, Zb1, …, Zb-m) of each transmission line (23-1, …, 23-n, 24-1, …, 24-m) is less than the system impedance.