Waveguide Band-Pass Filter Layout for Broadband Spurious Rejection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing waveguide band-pass filters are unable to provide continuous broadband rejection of unwanted frequencies for all waveguide modes, often requiring cascaded filters, which increases size, weight, and cost, while also having high in-band insertion loss and low power handling.

Innovation Solution

A waveguide band-pass filter design using a sequence of rectangular resonators with the same fundamental resonance frequency but different spurious frequency responses, where spurious frequencies are scattered across the stopband, allowing for high power handling, reduced size, and mass, and improved manufacturing efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of stationary object

If evanescent-mode operation is used to provide compact and light filters, then size and mass are reduced, but in-band insertion loss increases and power handling decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilter massVSAvoidin-band insertion loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of stationary objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from evanescent-mode operation to resonant-mode operation by changing the operational parameters of the waveguide filter. This involves designing resonators that operate at their fundamental resonant frequency rather than relying on evanescent wave decay, thereby reducing insertion loss while maintaining compact dimensions through optimized resonator geometry and coupling mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If cascaded filters are used to provide broadband rejection, then frequency rejection performance is improved, but size, weight, and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency rejection performanceVSAvoidfilter assembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple filter functions into a single integrated waveguide filter structure. By designing resonators with specific quality factors and coupling them through optimized irises, the filter achieves broadband frequency rejection (stopband) and passband characteristics simultaneously within one compact assembly, eliminating the need for cascaded filter configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The waveguide filter is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides bandpass filtering, broadband stopband rejection, and maintains low insertion loss all within a single device. The resonator design and coupling scheme enable the filter to handle multiple frequency ranges effectively without requiring separate filter stages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If resonators with the same fundamental resonance frequency are used, then frequency selection is improved, but spurious frequency responses create interference

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency selection accuracyVSAvoidspurious frequency responses
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by introducing variations in resonator geometry and coupling characteristics at specific locations within the filter. Each resonator is designed with slight dimensional differences or different coupling iris configurations, which causes spurious frequency responses to be scattered across different frequency points in the stopband rather than appearing as concentrated interference near the passband.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces asymmetry in the resonator designs by varying the dimensions and coupling configurations of individual resonators. This asymmetric design ensures that while all resonators share the same fundamental resonant frequency for the passband, their spurious mode frequencies are distributed differently, scattering harmful spurious responses across the stopband spectrum.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

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

The design achieves broadband rejection of unwanted frequencies, high power handling, and reduced size and mass, while maintaining low insertion loss and cost, making it suitable for wide-band applications such as satellite communication.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of rectangular waveguide cavities defining waveguide resonators, each resonant cavity configured to define the same fundamental resonant frequency

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Implementation Method 2

each resonant cavity includes a capacitive iris positioned coupling the cavity sections to one another

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitive coupling: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentEP3742545B1Waveguide band-pass filter
Publication Date: 2024.11.06 HONEYWELL LTD(CA)
  • EP3742545B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3742545B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3742545B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A bandpass filter has a plurality of resonant cavities. The plurality of resonant cavities are arranged into a sequence of adjacent resonant cavities. Each resonant cavity is configured to define the same fundamental resonant frequency. The filter includes a plurality of coupling irises, with one of the coupling irises positioned between each pair of adjacent resonant cavities. Each resonant cavity includes a plurality of cavity sections. Each resonant cavity includes a capacitive iris positioned coupling the cavity sections to one another. The frequency of secondary resonance modes varies amongst the resonant cavities in the plurality of resonant cavities.