Aintzane Lujambio

Design of Transmission-Type

In this paper, we propose and demonstrate a new technique for the design of arbitrary-order differentiators, intended for ultra-wideband (UWB) applications in microwave coupled-line technology. The technique employs an exact analytical series solution for the synthesis problem derived by the authors from the coupled-mode theory. This solution allows for the synthesis of microwave devices with arbitrary frequency responses, only limited by the principles of causality, passivity, and stability. The method has been successfully applied in the past to the design of two-port waveguide and transmission-line components operating in a reflection-type configuration. Here, the synthesis technique is extended to coupled-line structures, where the input port is matched at all frequencies and the reflected signal is redirected to the coupled port, enabling an effective transmission-type operation for the device. First-, second-, third-, and fourth-order UWB differentiators have been successfully designed, fabricated, and measured, validating the general design technique proposed.

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A simple strategy is proposed to design differential-mode bandpass filters with good common-mode (CM) rejection using simple resonators. Specifically, the CM rejection is enhanced by using conventional open-loop resonators as well as folded stepped-impedance resonators without the addition of printed or lumped elements along the symmetry plane of the filter or the use of defected ground solutions. The novelty of the present proposal is that a good CM rejection is achieved by the use of magnetic coupling instead of the more commonly employed electrical coupling. Magnetic coupling inherently yields poorer CM transmission as requested by good differential filters. The resonators, due to their geometrical simplicity, can easily be cascaded to implement high-order filters. The use of simple geometries also simplifies the design methodology and makes final tuning based on electromagnetic simulation simpler or unnecessary.

th-Order Differentiators in Planar Microwave Technology

In this paper, a method to design high-power low-pass harmonic filters in rectangular waveguide technology is proposed. The new filters consist of a collection of smooth E-plane bandstop elements along the propagation direction and a smooth variation of the filter width. This yields to a broad rejected band for the fundamental TE10 mode, together with higher-order ( TEn0 and non- TEn0) mode suppression. Two different examples with stringent requirements of the space industry are provided to demonstrate the capabilities of the new methodology. By means of high-power simulations and an extensive measurement campaign, it will be shown that the smoothness of the filter profile guarantees high-power operation even with small minimum mechanical gaps. Moreover, unlike classical techniques, our method is not restricted to filters with small gaps. Hence, filters with larger gaps (always fulfilling the demanding frequency specifications) are fabricated for even higher power-handling performance.

Simple and Compact Balanced Bandpass Filters Based on Magnetically Coupled Resonators

In this paper, a novel technique to synthesize microwave filters by inverse scattering is proposed. It provides an exact solution for the synthesis problem, by means of a closed-form expression, with very low computational cost. The technique is valid when the target frequency response can be expressed as a rational function. The coupled-mode theory is used to model microwave propagation along the filter, and therefore, the synthesis technique is applicable to filters implemented in a wide range of technologies, such as planar and nonplanar transmission lines, and many waveguides. The synthesis method is exact for all the frequency range of interest, preventing the degradation of the frequency response that can be troublesome for wideband applications or to satisfy the out-of-band requirements of the filter. The resulting synthesized filter is, in general, a nonuniform transmission line or waveguide that features a continuously varying smooth profile, avoiding the presence of sharp discontinuities and their detrimental effects. To demonstrate the potential of the proposed synthesis technique, a multiband microwave filter, fulfilling stringent specifications, will be designed in rectangular waveguide technology. The prototype will be fabricated by electroforming and carefully measured with a vector network analyzer, confirming the accuracy of the novel synthesis method reported.

High-Power Low-Pass Harmonic Filters With Higher-Order

Novel synthesized passive components in microstrip technology, rectangular waveguide technology, and microstrip coupled-line technology have been successfully designed, easily fabricated, and accurately tested for very different applications. A palette of novel microwave synthesis techniques has been surveyed and discussed in this article, confirming that they represent a powerful tool set for the design of microwave components for the emerging and demanding needs in the fields of wireless applications, biomedical engineering, and satellite communications.

{\rm TE}_{{\rm n}0}

A new compact balanced dual-band bandpass filter based on coupled-embedded resonators with modified ground plane is presented in this work. Common-mode is rejected within the two differential passbands by symmetrically introducing four coupled U-shaped defected ground structures below the resonators. Common-mode rejection is significantly improved when compared with the standard (solid ground plane) filter with similar geometry thanks to the introduction of four extra transmission zeros. Due to the symmetry, the differential mode is not significantly affected by the presence of the U-shaped resonators. Circuit-model data, full-wave simulations and measurements are provided to verify the benefits of the proposed dual-band filter.

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We briefly review different synthesis techniques for the design of passive microwave components with arbitrary frequency response, developed by our group during the last decade. We provide the theoretical foundations based on inverse scattering and coupled-mode theory as well as several applications where the devices designed following those techniques have been successfully tested. The main characteristics of these synthesis methods are as follows. (a) They are direct, because it is not necessary to use lumped-element circuit models; just the target frequency response is the starting point. (b) They are exact, as there is neither spurious bands nor degradation in the frequency response; hence, there is no bandwidth limitation. (c) They are flexible, because they are valid for any causal, stable, and passive transfer function; only inviolable physical principles must be guaranteed. A myriad of examples has been presented by our group in many different technologies for very relevant applications such as harmonic control of amplifiers, directional coupler with enhanced directivity and coupling, transmission-type dispersive delay lines for phase engineering, compact design of high-power spurious free low-pass waveguide filters for satellite payloads, pulse shapers for advanced UWB radar and communications and for novel breast cancer detection systems, transmission-type th-order differentiators for tunable pulse generation, and a robust filter design tool.

{\rm TE}_{{\rm n}0}

A symmetrical pair of differential microstrip lines implemented in hybrid microstrip/coplanar waveguide (CPW) technology is proposed. Transmission-line models are used to analyze differential- and common-mode responses, allowing efficient design with minimal optimization effort. The structure behaves as a conventional transmission line pair under differential-mode excitation, whereas asymmetrical coupled transmission line theory has to be applied to characterize common-mode operation. The common mode is strongly suppressed thanks to the introduction of a controllable transmission zero. A two-stage version of the structure is used to increase the common-mode rejection bandwidth. All the electrical parameters of the transmission lines have been obtained using an in-house fast quasi-TEM code. The good agreement between transmission-line models, full-wave simulations and measurements confirms the benefits of the structure and the design procedure.

Mode Suppression: Design Method and Multipactor Characterization

From our first proposals of periodic Photonic Bandgap (PBG) structures in microstrip to the complex Inverse Scattering synthesis methods that we use nowadays and that give rise to synthesized structures with smooth profiles in microwave planar or waveguide technology, the UPNA Microwave Components Group (MCG-UPNA) has made significant contributions to the microwave theory (partially related to previous optical developments) and has also made several proposals of applications that will be reviewed in this paper from an historical perspective. Our group is a multidisciplinary group, focused also on the industry needs.

Synthesis of Microwave Filters by Inverse Scattering Using a Closed-Form Expression Valid for Rational Frequency Responses

A new differential periodic transmission line with broad common-mode suppression is presented. The unit cell consists of a hybrid microstrip-coplanar waveguide structure involving two symmetrical edge-coupled microstrip lines coupled to a coplanar waveguide resonator etched in the ground plane. Transmission-line models have been used to analyze the structure response in both the differential and common modes. The device exhibits all-pass characteristics under differential-mode operation and a bandstop response for the common-mode signal. A Bloch-Floquet analysis allows for the prediction of the required common-mode rejection band. Good agreement has been found between measurements, electromagnetic simulations and analytical results.