Design of Microwave Dual -Band Filters with

Bandwidth Control Using Stepped Impedance

Technique

An interim project report submitted in partial fulfillment of the

requirement for the degree of

Masters of Technology in

Electronics and Communication Engineering

By

Pankaj Kumar Jain

(12EC61C02)

Under the supervision of

Prof. Arijit De

To the

DEPT. OF ELECTRONICS AND ELECTRICAL COMMUNICATION ENGINEERING

INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY KHARAGPUR

2016
TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION 4-11
1.1 Distributed Element
1.2 Microstrip Line
1.3 Filter Technologies
1.4 Microwave Filter
1.5 Literature Review
1.6 Problem Statement:
1.7 Proposed Work
1.8 Objectives
1.9 Motivation
1.10 Thesis Organization
2. FILTER DESIGN USING QUARTER WAVE RESONATOR 12-15
3. IMPLEMENTATION OF DUAL BAND FILTERS 16-20

3.1 Unit cell response

3.2 Third order dual band filter implementation

3.3 Simulation and Frequency response

4. STEPPED IMPEDANCE TECHNIQUE AND ITS APPLICATION IN
DUAL BAND FILTER DESIGN 21-32
4.1 Stepped impedance technique
4.2 Unit cell schematic and response
4.3 Dual band filter implementation
4.4 Circuit simulation and Full wave simulation
4.5 Bandwidth control in dual band filter
5. CONCLUSION 33
6. APPENDICES 34-35
7. REFERENCES 36-37
 List of Figures
Figure1 Schematic of Microstrip line.
Figure1 Schematic of Microstrip line.
Figure 2 Maximally Flat and equal ripple low pass filter response for N=3.
Figure 3 Bandstop filter using quarter wave transmission line resonators.

Figure 4 Lumped elements Bandstop filter

Figure 5 Bandpass filter using quarter wave transmission line resonators.

Figure 6 Proposed Dual band equivalent circuit of

(a) shorted transmission line- T-shape equivalent.
(b) J-inverter - π- shape equivalent.

Figure 7 Frequency response of the Unit cell dual band transform of 50 Ω transmission line.

Figure 8 Proposed 3rd order Dual Band Filter

(a) Quarter wave transmission line filter.
(b) Equivalent Microstrip line dual band filter.

Figure 9 3rd order dual band filter frequency response for 40% fractional bandwidth and 0.5dB
equal ripple.

Figure 10 Representation of 50 Ω transmission line (left) into Unit cell of the proposed dual band
filter (right) using SIR.

Figure 11 Stepped impedance section in even mode analysis.

Figure 12 Stepped impedance section in odd mode analysis.

Figure 13 Design graph to determine optimum R and θ1. Intersection point of Y21 (f1) and Y21
(nf1) in (b) for θ2 = 10o is Y21 =1.715 at this point R = 2 and θ1 = 15.0.

Figure 14 Frequency and phase response of the unit cell of the proposed 3rd order filter.

Figure 15 (a) Single band λ/4 transmission line resonator (b) Proposed 3rd order dual band band-
pass stepped impedance filter schematic.

Figure 16 Frequency response of (a) Filter 2 (b) Filter 3 (c) Filter 4 (d) Filter 5.

Figure 17 Comparison of Full wave simulation and circuit simulation.(a) filter 2 (b) Filter 3

Figure 18 (a) Frequency response of Circuit simulation of filter 2-5 and effect of varying
impedance ratio R (a) S11 (b) S21.
Figure 19 Effect of variation of step length θ2 while keeping θ1 constant for (a) R= 2.5 (b) R= 2
 List of Tables

Table 1. Filter 1 3rd order filter dimension for f0 = 2GHz, Δ = 40%, 0.5 dB ripple, εr = 4.4, H =
0.8 mm.
Table 2. Filter 2: Device dimensions for filter 1 0.1 dB, R=2.5, εr = 4.4, f1 = 1GHz, f2 = 2GHz, H=
0.8 mm fractional bandwidth = 60%, θ1 = 13.1o, θ2 = 10o, θS = 67.11o.

Table 3. Filter 3: Device dimensions for filter 2 0.1 dB, R=2, εr = 4.4, f1 = 1GHz, f2 = 2GHz, H=
0.8 mm fractional bandwidth = 60%, θ1 = 15.1o, θ2 = 10o, θS = 65.58o.

Table 4. Filter 4: Device dimensions for filter 3 0.1 dB, R= 0.75, εr = 4.4, f1 = 1GHz, f2 = 2GHz,
H= 0.8 mm fractional bandwidth = 60%, θ1 = 21.45o, θ2 = 10o, θS = 57.47o.

Table 5. Filter 5: Device dimensions for filter 4: 0.1 dB, R= 0.5, εr = 4.4, f1 = 1GHz, f2 = 2GHz,
H= 0.8 mm fractional bandwidth = 60%, θ1 = 22.86o, θ2 = 10o , θS = 53.68o.
Table 6. Absolute bandwidth ratio and slop ratio in the designed filters.
Table A.1 Element Values for Maximally flat Low Pass filter prototypes (g0 = 1, wc = 1, N= 1
to 5 (3 dB ripple).

Table A.2 Elements Values for Equal ripple Low Pass filter prototypes (g0 = 1, wc = 1, N= 1 to
5 (0.5 dB ripple).

Table A.3 Elements Values for Equal ripple Low Pass filter prototypes (g0 = 1, wc = 1, N= 1 to
5 (3 dB ripple).

Table A.4 Elements Values for Equal ripple Low Pass filter prototypes (g0 = 1, wc = 1, N= 1 to
5 (0.1dB ripple).
CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION

Distributed Elements

Microwave components are usually distributed elements. Distributed elements are used
in the circuits where the wavelengths of the signals have become comparable to the physical
dimensions of the components. The Distributed elements model is more accurate as compared
to lumped model [1]. These models find application where accuracy overcomes the complexity
of the circuit. It is customarily to use engineering rule of thumb that parts larger than one tenth
of a wavelength are usually needed to be analyzed as distributed elements.

Microstrip Line

Microstrip line is one of the most useful types of the transmission line. It has many
advantages like it can be fabricated using photolithographic process, can be applied to other
passive and active microwave devices [1]. These transmission lines are compact, low in cost
having planner structure which allows it to be integrate with other devices like diode, trwansistor
etc. Monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC), are the example of such integrated circuit
[2]. Figure 1 below shows a microstrip line

Fig. 1. Schematic of Microstrip line.

where,
w = width of the microstrip line.
l = length of the microstrip line.
h = height of di-electric material of εr permittivity.
t = thickness of the conductor.
 The fields in the microstrip extend within two media-air above and dielectric below-
so that the structure is inhomogeneous. Due to this inhomogeneous nature, the microstrip does
not support a pure TEM wave. This is why a pure TEM wave has only transverse components,
and its propagation velocity depends only on the two material properties, permittivity ε and the
permeability μ. However, with the presence of the two guided-wave media (the dielectric
substrate and the air), the waves in a microstrip line will have no vanished longitudinal
components of electric and magnetic fields, and their propagation velocities will depend not only
on the material properties, but also on the physical dimensions of the microstrip[2].
Microwave Filters
RF and microwave engineering employs the range of the AC signal frequency ranging
from 100 MHz to 1000 GHz [2]. At these frequencies the wavelengths becomes comparable to
the device dimensions. Hence the standard circuit theory concepts are no longer valid and
distributed model is forced to exist. The distributed model or transmission line model says that
the elements of the circuits (Resistance, inductance and capacitances) are distributed throughout
the material of the circuit.
A Microwave filter is a distributed element filter in which the circuit attributes like
R,L,C are not present unlike conventional filters or lumped element filters. As the frequency of
the signal increases lumped element filters becomes unreliable due to incomparable device
dimensions with the signal wavelength. Distributed element filters are made up of short lengths
of transmission line. These transmission lines [1] can be viewed as lumped elements circuits
when these lumped parameter are defined as per unit length quantities.
A perfect filter should have following characteristics [1]
(1) Zero insertion loss in the passband
(2) Infinite attenuation in the stopband
(3) Linear phase response in the passband (to avoid signal distortion)

However such filters don’t exist in practice. In the subsequent topics we will see some of the
Definitions related to the distributed element filter.
Problem Statement

The goal of this thesis is to design microwave filter which is works as a bandpass filter
for a specified value of two frequencies band over a range of two frequencies band. Also there
should be control over the frequencies at the two bands.

Literature review:

Ching-Luh Hsu et.al. 2007: The authors designed a dual band microstrip rat race ring coupler [3]
using the popular stepped impedance technique. The design element of the rat race ring coupler
consists of a stepped impedance section along with the two open stubs at both the ends to create
90o phase at two designated frequencies 2.45/5.2 GHz. Circuit miniaturization up to 79% is
obtained if the impedance ration is chosen R = 4 at the cost of reduced bandwidth. Extra power
loss is also incurred in the design up to 1%.

Kuo-Sheng Chin et. al. 2010: A different design concept of the dual band operation is introduced
in the present paper to design the branch line coupler [4]. Circuit miniaturization is the main goal
of the design. A size reduction of 21.7% is obtained using the design at 2.4/5.8 GHz frequencies.
A unique design equation relating the impedance rations R and electrical length ration U is
devised in the paper. Effect of variation of R with U is studied by plotting various curves. More
design flexibilities are obtained in the present study because the synthesis equations have two
degree of freedom. A wide range of frequency ratio and more realizable characteristic
impedances can be obtained using the appropriate (R, U) pair.

Jungie ha et.al. 2012: The authors presented the stepped impedance technique as design concept
of the dual band filter [5] in a unique way. The proposed design is able to control the bandwidth
at the two designated bands which are 2.45/5.2 GHz which is unique in the literature. Simply by
controlling the impedance ratio Rz the bandwidth of the transmission line filter and coupled line
filters can be controlled. In this work conventional filter design elements are replaced by the
proposed basic elements of the stepped impedance technique. The proposed filter method
imposes a restriction on the bandwidth up to 3.5%. For a 0.1 dB Chebyshev filter with absolute
bandwidth ratio (RABW) of 0.5 and 1.5 the and 10% and 30 % bandwidth in the first band have
bandwidth error of 0.4% and 3.2% respectively for centre frequency ratio m = 2. However error
decreases when m increases.
K-K. M. Cheng 2012: The authors propose a dual band branch line coupler with unequal
bandwidth [6]. For designing branch line coupler a dual band transformer is proposed which
consists of a pi-network [7]. The pi-network has different phase slope over the two specified
band by having different design parameters. Electrical lengths of the branch line coupler are θ0
and ϕ0. When θ0 =90o the above pi-structure have equal phase slope over the two bands, however
when the θ0 ≠ 90o slope at the two frequencies are different. Which conclude that the bandwidth
at the two bands is different. The design step includes first designing the single band coupler
with bisymmetric structure (vertical and horizontal). Response of the single band structure is s
determined. Secondly each section of the single band coupler is transformed into pi-section
described above, converting the single band coupler into dual-band coupler.

Some of the definitions are taken from the literature

D.M.Pozer “Microwave engineering”:

Power Loss ratio: The filter response is defined by its insertion loss or power loss defined as [1]

-----------------(1.1)

If both source and load are matched

IL = 10 log PLR -----------------(1.2)

-----------------(1.3)

Where both M and N are polynomials in ω2

From equation (3) and (1)

----------------(1.4)
Maximally Flat: Also called “ Binomial” or “Butterworth response” and is optimum in the
sense that its provides the flattest possible pass band response for given filter order[1]. For a
LPF.

PLR = 1 + K2 (ω/ ωc ) 2N --------------(1.5)

Where, N = order of the filter

ωc = cut of frequency

Passband ω = 0 to ω = ωc

At the band edge

PLR = 1 + K2 ---------------(1.6)
If it is -3dB point ω/ωc = 1

PLR = K2 (ω/ ωc) 2N for ω > ωc

Means it increases at the rate of 20N dB/decade

Fig. 2. Maximally Flat and equal ripple low pass filter response for N=3 [1].

Equal Ripple: Chebyshev polynomial [1] gives IL of an Nth order LPF as

PLR = 1 + K2 TN 2N (ω/ ωc ) ---------------(1.7)

It has following characteristics

 (1) Sharper cut off
(2) Ripple of amplitude 1+K2
(3) TN(x) oscillates between ±1 for |x|2

For large x TN (x) ≈ 0.5 (2x) N for ω >> ωC

PLR }2N -------------(1.8)

IL increases 20N dB/decade

IL of Equal Ripple response is (22N)/4 times greater than that of maximally flat at ω>>ωC.
Figure 2 shows the curves of the maximally flat and equal ripple response [1].

Proposed Work

We propose a design of a microwave filter for dual band frequency. Microwave filters
are one of the most commonly used passive component in microwave system. It is a distributed
network that consists of periodic structures to exhibit passband and stopband characteristics in
various frequency bands. A design method should be able to determine the physical dimensions
of the filter structure having the desired frequency characteristics.

The proposed method depends on an accurate analysis based on advanced numerical

methods. The original structure of the filter is given in literature as single band prototype filter.
The physical dimensions of the filter structures corresponding to the parameters of the prototypes
filters are devised by numerical analysis. Tuning and optimization procedures are usually
involved in microwave filter designs for desired filter response.

Numerical analysis methods allow filter responses to be predicted very close to the
desired results, so that experimental adjustments of the manufactured components can be
reduced or eliminated. If any filter structures cannot be efficiently optimized by numerical
methods due to the structure complexity or the lengthy simulation speed, experimental tuning is
performed as a necessary step to optimize the results. The tuning process can be performed by
the computer programs that enable parameter extractions. Here we are using the MATLAB
2013b® for numerical solution of the prototype filter and Agilent’s Advanced Design System
(ADS) simulation software for simulation of the dual band filter.
Objectives

The objectives of the projected work is to design microwave filter based on three basics
aims-

 To determine the filter coefficients of the proposed filter using MATLAB environment.
 Design a microwave dual band filter for proposed method to reduce a complexity of
circuit.
 Designing of the Layout using optimized dimension in the proposed material
 Circuit Simulation, Full wave simulation of the designed circuit of above filter using
Agilent’s ADS simulation software.
 Applying the stepped impedance technique in the above dual band filter to achieve the
miniaturization in planner area.
 Verify the effect of bandwidth control in the dual band filter using stepped impedance
technique.
 Validation of the output using reflection coefficient and transfer coefficient by
using ADS.
 Validation of the material and design so that it can be utilized in the industry.
Motivation

Today Microwave filters are mostly used at frequencies above the VHF (Very High
Frequency) band (300MHz to 1000 GHz) [1,2]. At these frequencies, the physical length of
passive components is a significant fraction of the wavelength of the operating frequency, and it
becomes difficult to use the conventional lumped element model. The point at which distributed
element modeling becomes absolute necessary depends on the particular design under
consideration. When component dimensions are larger than 0.25λ it becomes necessary to apply
distributed element modeling. The circuit designs are becoming smaller compared to λ which
means increasing miniaturization of electronic gadgets.

Thus to achieve the desired standard of the industry a compact dual-band band-pass filter
with two controllable pass bands is presented and experimentally validated in the present work.
The proposed filter uses two open stub and a stepped-impedance resonators to achieve dual-band
band pass capability and to minimum size. Design curves are given for the filter design. It is
found that the frequency ratio of the second to first band has a dynamic range which offers a
wide variety in the design. An experimental circuit is fabricated and evaluated to validate the
design concept. The measurement results correlated well with the simulation results.

Thesis Organization

Chapter 1 describes the overview of project work provides a literature review on

transmission line, two port network, distributed elements, microstrip line, knowledge of design
and simulation of filters. Chapter 2 describes the design of the band pass and band stop filter
using quarter wave resonator. Chapter 3 describe a design and simulation techniques of
microwave dual band filter and gives a suitable method for implementation of dual band filter.
Chapter 4 analyses and describe the proposed design and simulation techniques of microwave
dual band filter using stepped impedance technique and give a suitable method for
implementation of dual band filter. In this Agilent’s ADS tool and MATLAB software is used to
simulate the filter components implementation. Finally Chapter 5 gives a concluding remark that
is specified. Possible extensions and improvements are discussed.
CHAPTER 2. FILTER DESIGN USING QUARTER WAVE
RESONATORS
Quarter wavelength Transmission line is one of the simplest forms of the inverter [2]. An
ideal quarter wave resonator is a two port network which has a unique property that if it is
terminated with a line impedance of ZL than the impedance looking at the input port is Zin = Z0/
ZL. Where Z0 is characteristic impedance of quarter wave resonator. It has a phase shift of π/2 or
odd multiple of π/2. Impedance inverter has a wider bandwidth. An ideal impedance inverter has
ABCD parameter like

---------(2.1)

Also a very useful application of the quarter wave transmission line is as an admittance inverter
although it has a narrower bandwidth. An ideal admittance inverter has ABCD parameter like

----------(2.2)

Bandpass and Bandstop filters are constructed using above quarter wave transmission line.

Bandstop and Bandpass filters using Quarter wave Resonators:

Bandstop filter using N Open circuited stubs is shown in figure below (see Fig. 3). The
design equation for the required stub characteristic impedance Z0N is derived in terms of the
element values of a low pass prototype through the use of an equivalent circuit

Fig. 3. Bandstop filter using Quarter wave transmission line resonators [1].
 The input impedance of an open circuited transmission line of characteristic impedance Z0N is

given as

Z = - j Zon cotθ -------------(2.3)

Where θ = π/2 for ω = ω0 .

Now let ω = ω0 + Δ ω where Δ ω << ω0 then θ = π/2( 1+ Δ ω/ ω0 )

The impedance can be approximated as

π ω
Z = j Zon tan ( – ----------(2.4)
ω

The impedance of a series LC circuit is

ω ω ω ω
Z=j Ln + =j - 2j 2jLn (ω ω ----------(2.5)
ω ω ω

Where LnCn = 1/ ω02

Equating equation (2.2) and (2.3) we get the characteristic impedance of the stub

ω
Zon = ----------(2.6)
π

Y = + ( + )-1
ω ω ω ω

=
ω ω – ω ω

+ + ----------(2.7)
–

And the admittance at the same point in Figure 4

Y = + + Z0-1
ω ω ω ω
 =
ω ω – ω ω

-1
+ + Z0 ---------(2.8)
–

The two result will be equal if

---------(2.9)

Since LnCn = 1/ ω02 = L’nC’n the result can be solved for Ln

L1 = ω

L2 = L`2 -----------(2.10)

Thus using equation (2.6) the general result for characteristic impedance of a Bandstop filter is

Zon = -------------(2.11)
π

For a band pass filter using short circuited stub resonators (see Fig. 5) the corresponding result is

Zon = ----------(2.12)
 Fig. 4 Lumped elements Bandstop filter [1]

Fig.5 Band pass filter using quarter wave transmission line resonators [1].
 CHAPTER 3: IMPLEMENTATION OF DUAL BAND FILTERS

Dual band response has increasing demand over the past decade. Many structures and
methods have been proposed in the literature by various authors [8-11]. A dual band Bandstop
configuration of transmission line resonator is presented [8] in which direct coupling is done
between the resonators. Demand of dual band technique is not limited to the filter technology its
application is extended to aid the design of antenna system. A dual band power divider circuit is
fabricated on 25 mils CER10 substrate which is designed to operate in dual band WLAN
frequency [9].

Another new design was proposed for dual-band circular polarization (CP) radiation of a
single-feed square microstrip antenna. A good amount of the size reduction (36%) is also
achieved in the presented design[10]. A branch line coupler with left handed transmission line is
also proposed using the dual band technique [11]. Basic design concept of the dual band filter is
proposed in [7,12] using the impedance and admittance inverter.

Dual band Hypothesis:

Figure 6 shows the basic elements of the unit cell of the dual band filter. The proposed
Dual band filter structure can be obtained by replacing each of the microstrip line by its
equivalent T or Pi section [6][7][12].The equivalent dual band unit cell consists of 3 transmission
line arranged either in T or Pi section. When all the electrical lengths are same the impedance of
the T section will be represented by figure 6 (a) and equation (3.5) and (3.6). also the impedance
of the Pi section will be represented by figure 6 (b) and equation (3.5) and (3.6).

These equations are used to form a 3rd order Dual band bandpass filter structure using
Figure 5.

The following is the simulation of 3rd order dual band filter using stub resonators

Z0 = 50 Ω , θ = π/(R+1) here R = 2 = f2 / f1
 ZA

ZO ,θ= 90o

ZB

(a)

ZB

ZO = 1/J, θ= 90o
ZA ZA
(b)

Fig. 6 Proposed Dual band equivalent circuit of (a) shorted transmission line- T-shape equivalent
(b) J-inverter - π- shape equivalent [12]

ZA = ZB tan2θ ------------(3.5)

ZB = ZO / sinθ ------------(3.6)

Unit cell response

For a 50 Ω transmission line values of the dual band transformed structure parameters
are like, electrical length will be θ = 60o for frequency ratio f2/ f1 = R = 2. Thus the values of the
shunt open impedances will be ZA = 173.22 Ω and main line impedance is ZB = 57.74 Ω. By
cascading the shunt impedances and the main line impedance we get the equivalent structure of
the 50 Ω, 90o transmission line. For dual band operation the structure must resonate at both the
frequencies lower and upper band frequencies.
 Frequency response of dual band transformed structure of a 50Ω transmission line is
shown in the Figure 7. At resonance frequency f1 = 1GHz and f2 = 2 GHz the response is better
than 80 dB.

Fig.7 Frequency response of the Unit cell dual band transform of 50 Ω transmission line

Third order dual band filter implementation

As earlier stated in objective, interest is to make a third order dual band filter. Thus
using equation (3.5) and (3.6) the characteristic impedance of the main line and stub line of the
3rd order quarter wave transmission line filter can be obtained for 0.5 dB Equal ripple
(Chebyshev Response) ( see Table A.1 for filter coefficients for 0.5 dB ripple). [1][2][13]

For each of the characteristic impedance to convert into its dual band equivalent a
MATLAB® program is used for accurate and fast calculation. Now each of the transmission lines
and stub lines with their characteristic impedances in conventional single band quarter wave
resonator are transformed into its dual band equivalent circuit using the equation (3.4) and (3.5).
Figure 8 below shows 3rd order quarter wave transmission line filter and its equivalent (pi-
Transformed) dual band structure. The frequency response is shown in Figure 9.
 Z0 Z0

Z01 Z02 Z03

(a)

Z01S Z02S Z03S

Z0m Z0m

Z1 Z2 Z3

(b)

Fig. 8 Proposed 3rd order Dual Band Filter (a) Quarter wave transmission line filter (b)
Equivalent Microstrip line dual band filter

Simulation and Frequency response

Table 1 below shows the values of the characteristic impedances of the main line and stub
line of the pi-Transformed dual band 3rd order filter shown in Figure 8 (b). The value of
fractional bandwidth is chosen randomly to optimize the filter dimension. This is obtained by
various experiments performed over different values of the other parameters like filter
coefficients for different ripple factor taken from Table A.1. Simulation is performed in
MATLAB 2013b [14] and Agilent’s ADS 2011[15] simulation software. Circuit simulation is
showing reflection coefficient value better than 10 dB (see Fig. 9).
 Fig. 9 3rd order dual band filter frequency response for 40% fractional bandwidth and 0.5dB
equal ripple.

Table 1. Filter 1 3rd order filter dimension for f0 = 1GHz, Δ = 40%, 0.5 dB ripple, εr = 4.4, H =
0.8 mm
Z0m Z01S Z1 Z02S Z2 Z03S Z3
Impedance(Ohm) 57.74 28.48 11.36 31.54 16.54 28.48 11.36
Length (mm) 27.67 26.42 25.20 26.59 25.64 26.42 25.20
Width (mm) 1.19 3.52 10.84 3.07 7.00 3.52 10.84
 CHAPTER 4. STEPPED IMPEDANCE TECHNIQUE AND ITS
APPLICATION IN DUAL BAND FILTER DESIGN

Stepped impedance technique

Stepped impedance technique now-a-days is widely used technique to design dual

band filter by properly selecting the impedance ratio. The impedances can be arranged in
High-Z, low-Z configuration [1][2] or vice versa to achieve the desired impedance ratio (R),
which is a major design factor for the dual band configuration. Very good size reduction in
the planner area is achieved through this technique however the complexity of the design is
increased. Earlier stepped impedance technique is used to be considered as the technique of
the size reduction, but in this approach of designing the 3rd order microstrip filter the
technique is used to control the bandwidth as well, at the two resonating frequencies.
Figure 10 below shows the schematic of the 50Ω transmission line transformed into
unit cell of the dual band filter configuration using stepped impedance technique.

Fig.10. Representation of 50 Ω transmission line (left) into Unit cell of the proposed dual band
filter (right) using SIR.

An accurate relation between the impedance ratio and the characteristic impedance
[6] Z0, Z1 (high Z section), Z2 (low Z section) is given as
The unit cell of the proposed filter consists of two shunt open impedances at both of the ends.
The circuit is symmetric about its centre.

Even Mode analysis:

Fig. 11 Stepped impedance section in even mode analysis.

for stepped impedance structure, using the equation [1]

----------(4.1)

here, Z0 = Z1, ZL = -jZ2 cotθ2 (open circuit transmission line) and θ = θ1 ,

R = Z1 / Z2 is Impedance ratio

so

Re-arranging the terms in above equation

----------(4.2)

finding Y parameter
so ----------(4.3)

Odd Mode analysis:

Fig. 12 Stepped impedance section in odd mode analysis.

here, Z0 = Z1, ZL = jZ2 tanθ2 (short circuited transmission line) and θ = θ1

----------(4.4)

Re-arranging the terms in above equation

----------(4.5)

finding Y parameter

so ----------(4.6)
Therefore from even and odd mode analysis at the bisection plane we get

Ye = Y11 + Y21 ----------(4.7)

and Yo = Y11 - Y21 ----------(4.8)

The Y parameter matrix of a λ /4transmission line is given as

Yλ/4 = -----------(4.9)

By solving the equation (4.7) and (4.8) we obtain (Ye - Yo) = Y21 which are shown in
equation (4.11) and (Ye +Yo) = Y11 which is shown in equation (4.13).

Z1 = Y21 * Z0 ----------(4.10)

where Y21 is given as

-----------(4.11)

-----------(4.12)

θs can be found by using the equations

B(f1) = tan θS / ZS -----------(4.13)

B(nf1) = tan (nθS) / ZS -----------(4.14)

-----------(4.15)
 -----------(4.16)

Equation (4.11) is solved by the numerical methods, and a design graph [6] is drawn
between the Y21(f1) and θ1 for various optimum values of the impedance ratio R and constant
value of θ2. Similarly for the second resonance frequency value f2 = nf1 similar numerical method
is applied on equation (4.12) and different curve is drawn between Y21(nf1) and θ1 for same
values of R and θ2.

(a) (b)

Fig.13. Design graph to determine optimum R and θ1. Intersection point of Y21 (f1) and Y21(nf1)
in (b) for θ2 = 10o is Y21 =1.715 at this point R = 2 and θ1 = 15.0.

Figure 13 is obtained for R = 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4 for θ1 = 5o (see Fig. 13(a)) and θ1 = 10o (see Fig.
13(b)). Solid line represents values of Y21 for first resonance frequency and the dashed line
represents the same for second resonance frequency f2 = nf1. The intersection point of both curve
is the optimum value of the θ1 and R. As can be seen from the graph as R is increasing θ1 is
holding decreasing value, thus miniaturization can be achieved for higher impedance ratio value.
In the subsequent sections we will see the other aspects of the impedance ratio R.
Unit cell schematic and response

Figure below shows the frequency and phase response of the unit cell of the proposed
dual band stepped impedance resonator (see Fig.10) for various values of impedance ratio R, and
frequency ratio n = 2, Z0 = 50 Ω. Excellent return loss is shown in the response at both the
resonant frequencies (see Fig. 14(a)). Solid lines represent S11 parameter while dashed lines
represent S21 parameter in dB. In the phase response we can see that slope at resonant frequency
f1 is greater than that at f2 so the bandwidth ratio is different at both resonant frequencies (see
Fig. 14(b)). All the curves cross each other at 900 at both resonant frequencies which means unit
cell has a phase shift of e however slopes at second resonant frequency f2 have negative sign
which means phase is odd multiple of 900.

(a) (b)
Fig.14. (a) Frequency and (b) phase response of the unit cell of the proposed filter.

Dual band filter implementation using SIR

 Coming to the goal of the thesis a dual band filter can be designed using the unit cell
representation of each of the λ /4 transmission lines. Figure 15 (a) and (b) shows a quarter wave
transmission line 3rd order filter and a dual band microstrip line filter using stepped impedance
resonator. A dual band microstrip line SIR filter can be designed by cascading the unit cells of
the Figure 10. As shown in Figure 15(b) a dual band SIR filter consists of a main line impedance
which is in steps of the impedances Z0a_m and Z0b_m .Thus total line impedance of first main line
is 2*Z0a_m+ 2*Z0a_m .There are two main line impedance which are of same value as per filter
symmetry. Three shorted stub lines are there which are also in steps of Z01a_m and Z01b_m , Z02a_m
and Z02b_m and Z03a_m and Z03b_m . Three open stubs Za1, Za2 and Za3 complete the filter structure.

(a)

Za1, θS Za2, θS Za3, θS

Z0a_m Z0a_m Z0a_m Z0a_m

2*Z0b_m 2*Z0b_m Z 03a_m

Z01a_m
Z02a_m

2*Z01b_m 2*Z02b_m 2*Z 03b_m

Z01a_m Z02a_m Z 03a_m

(b)
 Fig.15. (a) Single band λ/4 transmission line resonator (b) Proposed 3rd order dual band band-
pass stepped impedance filter schematic.

Table 2. Filter 2: Device dimensions for filter 1 0.1 dB, R=2.5, εr = 4.4, f1 = 1GHz, f2 = 2GHz, H=
0.8 mm fractional bandwidth = 60%, θ1 = 13.1o, θ2 = 10o, θS = 67.11o

Z0a_m Z0b_m Z01a_m Z01b_m Z02a_m Z02b_m Z03a_m Z03b_m Za1 Za2 Za3
Z (Ohm) 99.86 39.94 45.62 18.25 41.01 16.40 45.62 18.25 59.48 42.77 59.48
L (mm) 6.28 9.00 5.94 8.59 5.90 8.54 5.94 8.59 31.01 30.32 31.01
W (mm) 0.36 2.18 1.78 6.21 2.10 7.07 1.78 6.21 1.13 1.97 1.13

Table 3. Filter 3: Device dimensions for filter 2 0.1 dB, R=2, εr = 4.4, f1 = 1GHz, f2 = 2GHz, H=
0.8 mm fractional bandwidth = 60%, θ1 = 15.1o, θ2 = 10o, θS = 65.58o

Z0a_m Z0b_m Z01a_m Z01b_m Z02a_m Z02b_m Z03a_m Z03b_m Za1 Za2 Za3
Z (Ohm) 85.72 42.86 39.16 19.58 35.20 17.60 39.16 19.58 57.51 41.35 57.51
L (mm) 7.11 9.04 6.73 8.62 6.69 8.57 6.73 8.62 30.23 29.57 30.23
W (mm) 0.53 1.96 2.25 5.70 2.63 6.49 2.25 5.70 1.20 2.07 1.20

Table 4. Filter 4: Device dimensions for filter 3 0.1 dB, R= 0.75, εr = 4.4, f1 = 1GHz, f2 = 2GHz,
H= 0.8 mm fractional bandwidth = 60%, θ1 = 21.45o, θ2 = 10o, θS = 57.47o.

Z0a_m Z0b_m Z01a_m Z01b_m Z02a_m Z02b_m Z03a_m Z03b_m Za1 Za2 Za3
Z (Ohm) 49.98 66.64 22.83 30.44 20.53 27.37 22.83 30.44 55.13 39.65 55.13
L (mm) 9.80 9.32 9.33 8.84 9.27 8.79 9.33 8.84 26.42 25.84 26.42
W (mm) 1.53 0.91 4.70 3.22 5.38 3.72 4.70 3.22 1.30 2.21 1.30

Table 5. Filter 5: Device dimensions for filter 4: 0.1 dB, R= 0.5, εr = 4.4, f1 = 1GHz, f2 = 2GHz,
H= 0.8 mm fractional bandwidth = 60%, θ1 = 22.86o, θ2 = 10o , θS = 53.68o.
Z0a_m Z0b_m Z01a_m Z01b_m Z02a_m Z02b_m Z03a_m Z03b_m Za1 Za2 Za3
Z (Ohm) 40.72 81.45 18.60 37.21 16.73 33.45 18.60 37.21 60.95 43.83 60.95
L (mm) 10.30 9.45 9.83 8.96 9.77 8.90 9.83 8.96 24.85 24.30 24.85
W (mm) 2.12 0.60 6.07 2.42 6.90 2.82 6.07 2.42 1.08 1.89 1.08

Table 2-5 shows nothing but the dimensions of the designed filter for various values of
impedance ratio R. The reason of determining the filter dimension for filter 2-5 is explained in
the subsequent section. Nomenclature of the impedances of the stub lines and the main lines of
the filter is shown in the Figure 15(b) and corresponding values of the impedances are shown
against their name in the above tables. All the filters are designed for resonant frequencies f1 =
1GHz and f2 = 2GHz, substrate dielectric constant εr = 4.4, substrate thickness H= 0.8 mm and
the fractional bandwidth 60%. Ripple factor value 0.1 dB is chosen from the Table A.3. Length
of the steps of main lines and shorted stub lines depend upon two factors θ 1, and θ2 whereas θS is
the length of the open stub line. Filter 2 and 3 are in High-Z, Low-Z configuration of the stepped
impedance technique whereas filter 4 and 5 are in Low-Z High-Z configuration. All the variables
along with the constants of the filters are optimized by a MATLAB program. Figure 16 (a-d)
below shows the frequency response of the filter 2-5. The blue line represents S11 whereas red
line in the figures represents S21 parameter.

Fig.16. Frequency response of (a) Filter 2 (b) Filter 3 (c) Filter 4 (d) Filter 5
Figure below shows the full wave response of the above circuits. Full wave responses are
generated using the ADS simulator which is more close to the measurement results. The figure
compares the circuit simulation results with the full wave simulation results and we can observe
that the both S11 curves resemble each other (see Fig. 17). Values of reflection coefficient at first
and second resonant frequencies of filter 2 are -24.8 dB and -28.1 dB from full wave simulation
results.

(a) (b)

Fig.17. Comparison of Full wave simulation and circuit simulation.(a) filter 2 (b) Filter 3

Same as filter2 for filter 3 also have reflection coefficients at both resonant frequencies are very
good values which are -29.4 dB and -36.3 dB (see Table A.5)

(a) (b)
 Fig. 18 (a) Frequency response of Circuit simulation of filter 2-5 and effect of varying
impedance ratio R (a) S11 (b) S21

Bandwidth control in dual band filter

Main aspects of the proposed work are presented in this section. As stated above the
designed filter parameters are determined for different values of impedance ratio R. Benefit of
choosing different values of impedance ration is in bandwidth control of the filter at the two
resonant frequencies. Earlier works have shown importance of the stepped impedance technique
in size reduction of the devices, which is also a major aspect of this work. Arranging the
impedances in High-Z, low-Z configuration and vice versa produces a great effect on bandwidth
control of the designed filter.
Table 6 below shows values of the impedance ratio of the filters and the absolute
bandwidth at the two resonant frequencies f1 and f2 shown as ABW1 and ABW2. From the phase
response of the filters, slope of the phase at resonant frequency f1 and f2 is determined and shown
as slop1 and slop2. Ratio of absolute bandwidths and slops are also shown in the table. It is
interesting to note here that the ratio of the slopes slop2/slop1 is same as absolute bandwidth ratio
ABW1/ABW2.
For filters 2 and 3 where High –Z, low –Z configuration is used value of impedance ratio
R > 1. In these filters absolute bandwidth at first resonant frequency f1 is lower than that at
second resonant frequency f2 (see Fig. 18). However slop at first resonant frequency is greater
than that at second resonant frequency (see Table 6). In figure 16 (a) and (b) red and black lines
represent curves for S11 and S21 for R = 2.5 and 2 respectively.
For filters 4 and 5 Low-Z, High-Z configuration is used and R < 1. In these filters
absolute bandwidth at first resonant frequency f1 is greater than that at second resonant frequency
f2 (see Fig. 18). Reverse is happening in these filters, slop at first resonant frequency is lower
than that at second resonant frequency (see Table 6). In figure 16 (a) and (b) green and blue
lines represent curves for S11 and S21 for R = 0.75 and 0.5 respectively.
 Table 6: Absolute bandwidth ratio and slop ratio in the designed filters.
Sr.
No
R ABW1 ABW2 ABW1/ABW2 Slop1 Slop2 Slop2/Slop1
1 2.5 168 288 0.58 180.0879 103.3427 0.58
2 2 177 275 0.64 168.8647 108.2000 0.64
3 0.75 230 180 1.28 128.7607 164.1491 1.28
4 0.5 252 126 2 117.2332 234.3028 2

(a) (b)

Fig.19 Effect of variation of step length θ2 while keeping θ1 constant for (a) R= 2.5 (b) R= 2

Effect of step length variation

A very important observation in this study is to check the effect of step length variation
while keeping the impedance ratio constant. In the above work all the way one of the step lengths
θ2 is kept constant while R is varying. Now in this section we have kept θ2 as variable and R is
constant to check whether there is any effects of varying any of the length say θ2. It is clear from
above figure that there is no effect if we change the step length θ2 variable while keeping the
impedance ratio R constant (see Fig. 19).
CHAPTER 5 CONCLUSION

Applying dual band structure provides compactness to the filter. The proposed model of
the filter utilizes stepped impedance technique which is earlier assumed to be the method of size
reduction. However the results of the proposed filter structure is well suited to the bandwidth
control at both of the resonant frequencies. The frequency response at both resonant frequencies
is at 900 out of phase. From the designed filter structure response we can see that the values of
reflection coefficients are better than 20dB at both resonant frequencies for circuit simulation
and full wave simulation. Thus the return loss is as very low as -28 dB in filter 2 and -36 dB
filter 3.

Good reflection coefficient value (near to zero as possible) means all the power which is
fed to the filter is not reflected back to the source. The proposed structure has good resonance
capability; sharp cutoffs are obtained at both resonant frequencies. Earlier designs of the unit cell
were utilized in design of other types of circuits [6][7][12]. It is also observed that there can be
enormous designs of the unit cell of the filters circuit. With the provision of the shunt circuit in
the unit cell the design can be applied to any of the other kind of the circuit. Proposed design of
unit cell of stepped impedance technique for the filter design can also be utilized in design of
other types of circuits like branch line coupler etc.

Significant amount of transmission coefficient and reflection coefficient is found in the

above structure that means the proposed structure can be utilized in the industry.
 Appendices A
Table A.1 Element Values for Maximally flat Low Pass filter prototypes (g0 = 1, wc = 1, N= 1 to
5 ( 3 dB ripple).

N g1 g2 g3 g4 g5 g6
1 2.0000 1.0000
2 1.4142 1.4142 1.0000
3 1.0000 2.0000 1.0000 1.0000
4 0.7654 1.8478 1.8478 0.7654 1.0000
5 0.6180 1.6180 2.0000 1.6180 0.6180 1.0000

Table A.2 Elements Values for Equal ripple Low Pass filter prototypes (g0 = 1, wc = 1, N= 1 to 5
(0.5 dB ripple).

N g1 g2 g3 g4 g5 g6
1 0.6986 1.0000
2 1.4029 0.7071 1.9841
3 1.5963 1.0967 1.5963 1.0000
4 1.6703 1.1926 2.3661 0.8419 1.9841
5 1.7058 1.2296 2.5408 1.2296 1.7058 1.0000

Table A.3 Elements Values for Equal ripple Low Pass filter prototypes (g0 = 1, wc = 1, N= 1 to 5
( 3 dB ripple).

N g1 g2 g3 g4 g5 g6
1 1.9953 1.0000
2 3.1013 0.5339 5.8095
3 3.3487 0.7117 3.3487 1.0000
4 3.4389 0.7483 4.3471 0.5920 5.8095
5 3.4817 0.7618 4.5381 0.7618 3.4817 1.0000
Table A.4 Elements Values for Equal ripple Low Pass filter prototypes (g0 = 1, wc = 1, N= 1 to 5
0.1dB ripple).

Order g1 g2 g3 g4 g5 g6 g7 g8 g9 RLoad
2 0.8431 0.622 0.7378
3 1.0316 1.1474 1.0316 1
4 1.1088 1.3062 1.7704 0.8181 0.7378
5 1.1468 1.3712 1.975 1.3712 1.1468 1
6 1.1681 1.404 2.0562 1.5171 1.9029 0.8618 0.07378
7 1.1812 1.4228 2.0967 1.5734 2.0967 1.4228 1.1812 1
8 1.1898 1.4346 2.1199 1.601 2.17 1.5641 1.9445 0.8778 0.7378
9 1.1957 1.4426 2.1346 1.6167 2.2054 1.6167 2.1346 1.4426 1.1957 1

Table A.5 Reflection coefficient (S11) values at different frequencies for filter 2 and filter 3

Filter 2 Filter 3
freq dB(calculated) freq dB(calculated)
0.00E+00 0.00E+00 0.00E+00 0.00E+00
2.50E+08 -8.81E-03 6.25E+07 -2.27E-04
3.75E+08 -2.90E-02 1.67E+08 -2.76E-03
5.00E+08 -7.43E-02 3.75E+08 -2.86E-02
6.74E+08 -3.38E-01 5.00E+08 -7.32E-02
8.47E+08 -1.17E+01 5.63E+08 -1.17E-01
9.17E+08 -1.69E+01 7.50E+08 -1.05E+00
1.00E+09 -2.48E+01 8.75E+08 -2.73E+01
1.01E+09 -2.02E+01 9.62E+08 -1.99E+01
1.04E+09 -2.01E+01 1.00E+09 -2.94E+01
1.11E+09 -2.28E+00 1.05E+09 -2.12E+01
1.25E+09 -3.46E-01 1.08E+09 -1.22E+01
1.50E+09 -3.74E-01 1.11E+09 -4.34E+00
1.62E+09 -4.84E-01 1.22E+09 -3.91E-01
1.64E+09 -5.30E-01 1.50E+09 -3.66E-01
1.71E+09 -8.83E-01 1.73E+09 -8.58E-01
1.81E+09 -7.27E+00 1.85E+09 -9.62E+00
1.85E+09 -1.60E+01 1.93E+09 -2.74E+01
1.92E+09 -3.17E+01 2.00E+09 -3.63E+01
2.00E+09 -2.81E+01 2.02E+09 -3.08E+01
2.07E+09 -2.16E+01 2.13E+09 -1.38E+01
2.15E+09 -5.83E+00 2.25E+09 -1.91E+00
2.22E+09 -1.79E+00 2.31E+09 -1.02E+00
2.52E+09 -4.54E-01 2.63E+09 -4.31E-01
2.67E+09 -4.21E-01 2.88E+09 -4.44E-01
2.74E+09 -4.36E-01 3.00E+09 -4.71E-01
2.79E+09 -5.89E-01
2.89E+09 -4.46E-01
3.00E+09 -4.80E-01
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