Design methods for microwave filters and multiplexers

This thesis is concerned with developing synthesis and design procedures for microwave filters and multiplexers. The core of this thesis presents the following topics. 1) New classes of lumped lowpass prototype filters satisfying generalized Chebyshev characteristics have been investigated. Exact synthesis procedures are given using a relatively new technique termed the alternating pole synthesis technique to solve the accuracy problem. The properties of these filters and their practical advantages have been discussed. Tables of element values for commonly used specifications are included. 2) A new design procedure has been developed for bandpass channel multiplexers connected at a common junction. This procedure is for multiplexers having any number of Chebyshev channel filters, with arbitrary degrees, bandwidths and inter-channel spacings. The procedure has been modified to allow the design of multi-octave bandwidth combline channel filter multiplexers. It is shown that this procedure gives very good results for a wide variety of specifications, as demonstrated by the computer analysis of several multiplexers examples and by the experimental results. 3) A compact exact synthesis method is presented for a lumped bandpass prototype filter up to degree 30 and satisfies a generalized Chebyshev response. This prototype has been particularly utilized in designing microwave broadband combline filters. 4) Different forms of realization have been discussed and used in design and construction of different devices. This includes a new technique to realize TEM networks in coaxial structure form having equal diameter coupled circular cylindrical rods between parallel ground planes. Other forms of realization have been discussed ranging from equal diameter posts, direct coupled cavity waveguide filters to microwave integrated circuits using suspended substrate stripline structure. The experimental results are also given. In addition, the fundamentals of lumped circuits and distributed circuits have been briefly reviewed. The approximation problem was also discussed.