Metamaterial Structure Inspired Miniature RF/Microwave Filters

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Abstract

Novel feedback signal interference concept for bandpass filter (BPF) design is proposed in this thesis. This new concept was utilized to design wide stopband BPF with superior performance for WLAN applications. The proposed filtering structure consists of two simple coupled-line couplers. The first coupler was employed within the main signal path and the second coupler which is open circuited at the opposite ends was used for the feedback circuit. This new filtering structure was fabricated using low temperature co-fired ceramic technology. The fabricated BPF exhibits an insertion loss (IL) of -1.3 dB with a 3dB fractional bandwidth of 13% at a centre frequency of 2.4 GHz. Furthermore, an attenuation level of -15 dB is achieved up to 4.7fo. Using stepped impedance coupled-lines in the feedback; the stopband performance of the proposed structure can be significantly improved while keeping passband performance intact. Furthermore, the feedback signal interference concept proved to be versatile and can be used to design high selectivity microstrip BPF using composite right/left handed transmission line unit cell in the feedback circuit. The measured results show that roll-up/down rate of more than 300 dB/GHz can be achieved with low IL.The spectrum based quality factor for CRLH TL based BPF is explored and thoroughly studied in this thesis to design a low phase noise oscillator. The proposed metamaterial BPF has higher spectrum based quality factor within the left-handed region due to the slow-wave propagation. This intriguing feature enables the design of a free-running oscillator with excellent phase noise performance operating at a frequency of 2.05 GHz. The fabricated oscillator demonstrates a phase noise of -126.7 dBc/Hz at 100 kHz frequency offset and a FOM of -207.2 dBc/Hz at a 1 MHz frequency offset, being one of the very best reported so far.Many microstrip multi-band BPF design techniques are presented in the literature that offers superior performance in terms of IL, 3dB FBW, and high selectivity. These methods mainly lack the ability to obtain high performance with compact size. Coupled slotted open stubs are used to design a miniaturized dual-wideband BPF. Interdigital capacitor and inner open stubs are used to improve rejection level within the stopbands and increase selectivity. The measurement results reveal that the fabricated dual-wideband BPF has two passbands with a 3dB FBW of 117% and 36%, at respective centre frequencies of 1 GHz and 6.65 GHz. The filter has a super compact size (0.09 λg × 0.05 λg) where λg denotes the guided wavelength at the centre frequency of the first passband and exhibits an attenuation level greater than 20 dB up to 12 GHz.

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Metamaterials; Microwave Filters

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