Multi-mode filter having at least one feed line and a phase array of coupling elements

Abstract

A multi-mode cavity filter includes a dielectric resonator body incorporating a piece of dielectric material, the piece of dielectric material having a shape such that it can support at least two substantially degenerate resonant modes; and a phased array of coupling elements for coupling signals to the piece of dielectric material.

Claims

1. A multi-mode cavity filter comprising: a dielectric resonator body incorporating a piece of dielectric material, the piece of dielectric material having a shape supporting at least two substantially degenerate resonant modes; a substrate, said dielectric resonator body being coupled to said substrate, said substrate including at least one feed line; and a phased array of coupling elements between said substrate and said dielectric resonator body, said phased array of coupling elements including a plurality of input couplings and a plurality of output couplings, said plurality of input couplings being distinct from said plurality of output couplings, said plurality of input couplings being used simultaneously for coupling signals received through said at least one feed line to the piece of dielectric material with a phase preselected for each of said input couplings, wherein the signal received by each of said plurality of input couplings exhibits a specific phase that depends upon a length along said at least one feed line from an input point for the signal.

2. A multi-mode cavity filter according to claim 1, wherein at least some of the phased array of coupling elements are patches formed on a surface of the piece of dielectric material.

3. A multi-mode cavity filter according to claim 2, wherein at least some of the patches are of a regular geometric shape.

4. A multi-mode cavity filter according to claim 1, wherein said at least one feed line includes at least one meander.

5. A multi-mode cavity filter according to claim 1, wherein at least some of said phased array of coupling elements are magnetic field generating elements.

6. A multi-mode cavity filter according to claim 1, wherein at least some of said plurality of input couplings are connected to one another in series.

7. A multi-mode cavity filter according to claim 1, wherein said at least one feed line comprises a primary feed line configured to feed signals to a plurality of secondary feed lines branching off said primary feed line; and wherein each of the plurality of secondary feed lines is configured to transmit a signal to at least one input coupling.

8. A multi-mode cavity filter according to claim 1, wherein each one of the phased array of coupling elements is electrically independent from the others.

9. A multi-mode cavity filter according to claim 1, further comprising an amplitude determination mechanism for determining the amplitude of the signal transmitted along said at least one feed line.

10. A multi-mode cavity filter according to claim 9, wherein the signals transmitted to each one of the phased array of coupling elements exhibit a respective amplitude that is predetermined.

11. A multi-mode cavity filter according to claim 1, wherein the phased array of coupling elements is arranged in a substantially symmetrical array.

12. A multi-mode cavity filter according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of output couplings is arranged to recover signals from the piece of dielectric material.

13. A multi-mode cavity filter according to claim 1, wherein at least some of said phased array of coupling elements are probes arranged to abut a surface of, or at least partially penetrate a surface of, the piece of dielectric material.

14. A multi-mode cavity filter according to claim 13, wherein said probes have a substantially circular cross section.

15. A multi-mode cavity filter according to claim 13, further comprising a shielding element associated with each probe.

16. A method of manufacturing a multi-mode cavity filter, the method comprising: providing a dielectric resonator body of dielectric material having a shape supporting at least two substantially degenerate resonant modes; coupling said dielectric resonator body to a substrate, said substrate including at least one feed line; and providing a phased array of coupling elements between said substrate and said dielectric resonator body, said phased array of coupling elements including a plurality of input couplings and a plurality of output couplings, said plurality of input couplings being distinct from said plurality of output couplings, said plurality of input couplings being used simultaneously for coupling signals received through said at least one feed line to the piece of dielectric material with a phase preselected for each of said input couplings, wherein the signal received by each of said plurality of input couplings exhibits a specific phase that depends upon a length along said at least one feed line from an input point for the signal.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how the invention may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the following drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an example of a multi-mode filter;

(3) FIG. 2 is a schematic underside view of the multi-mode filter of FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of a further example of a multi-mode filter;

(5) FIG. 4 is a schematic underside view of the multi-mode filter of FIG. 3;

(6) FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of a further example of the multi-mode filter of FIG. 3;

(7) FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of a further example of the multi-mode filter of FIG. 5;

(8) FIG. 7 is a schematic underside view of a further example of a multi-mode filter; and

(9) FIGS. 8 to 11 are schematic underside views of further examples of the multi-mode filter of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(10) An example of a multi-mode filter will now be described with reference to the drawings, where like features in different drawings are denoted by the same reference numbers.

(11) FIG. 1 shows a filter 100 having a resonator body 102 which is coupled by a coupling structure 104 (not shown in FIG. 1, but shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, and 7 to 11) to a substrate 106. The coupling structure 104 is located on a surface of the resonator body 102 that is adjacent to the substrate 106. The substrate 106 and the coupling structure 104 will be discussed in further detail below. The resonator body 102 is formed from a piece of dielectric material having suitable dielectric properties. In one example, the resonator body 102 is a ceramic material, although this is not essential and alternative materials can be used. Additionally, the body 102 can be a multilayered body including, for example, layers of materials having different dielectric properties. In one example, the body 102 can include a core of a dielectric material, and one or more outer layers of different dielectric materials.

(12) The coupling structure 104 provides coupling to a plurality of the resonance modes of the resonator body. In use, a radio frequency signal, containing, say, frequencies from within the 1 MHz to 100 GHz range, can be supplied to or received from the coupling structure 104. In a suitable configuration, this allows a signal to be filtered to be supplied to the resonator body 102 for filtering, or can allow a filtered signal to be obtained from the resonator body, as will be described in more detail below.

(13) The use of an electrically conductive coupling structure formed from an array of individual elements electrically independent from one another allows the signal to be coupled to a plurality of resonance modes of the resonator body 102. This allows a more simplified configuration of resonator body 102 and coupling structure 104 to be used as compared to traditional arrangements. For example, this avoids the need to have a resonator body including cut-outs or other complicated shapes, as well as avoiding the need for coupling structures that extend into the resonator body. This, in turn, makes the filter less expensive and simpler to manufacture, and can provide enhanced filtering characteristics. In addition, the filter is small in size, typically of the order of 6000 mm.sup.3 per resonator body, making the filter apparatus suitable for use at the top of antenna towers. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that, while the individual coupling elements are electrically independent from one another, there will inevitably be some degree of mutual coupling between some couplings which will need to be taken into account in the design of the filter. This mutual coupling is, however, incidental, and not an intended part of the operation of the invention.

(14) A number of further features will now be described.

(15) The resonator body 102 usually includes an external coating (FIG. 2; 110) of conductive material, such as silver, although other materials could be used such as gold, copper, or the like. The conductive material may be applied to one or more surfaces of the body. A region of the surface adjacent the coupling structure 104, that is the surface at which the resonator body 102 is coupled to the substrate 106, may be uncoated to allow coupling of signals to the resonator body.

(16) The resonator body 102 can be any shape, but generally defines at least two orthogonal axes. In the current example, the resonator body 102 is a cuboid body, and therefore defines three orthogonal axes substantially aligned with surfaces of the resonator body, as shown by the axes X, Y, Z. As a result, the resonator body 102 has three dominant resonance modes that are substantially orthogonal and substantially aligned with the three orthogonal axes.

(17) Cuboid structures are particularly advantageous as they can be easily and inexpensively manufactured, and can also be easily fitted together, for example by arranging multiple resonator bodies in contact. Cuboid structures typically have clearly defined resonance modes, making configuration of the coupling structure more straightforward. Additionally, the use of a cuboid structure provides a planar surface so that the coupling structure can be arranged in a single plane parallel to the planar surface. This can help maximise coupling between the couplings and resonator body 102, as well as allowing the coupling structure 104 to be more easily manufactured.

(18) For example, the couplings may be provided on the substrate 106. In this instance, the provision of a planar surface 108 (FIG. 2) allows the substrate 106 to be a planar substrate, such as a printed circuit board (PCB) or the like. However, alternative arrangements can be used, such as coating the coupling structure 104 onto the resonator body directly.

(19) In use, resonance modes of the resonator body provide respective energy paths between the input and output. Furthermore, the input coupling and the output coupling can be configured to allow coupling therebetween to provide an energy path separate to energy paths provided by the resonance modes of the resonator body. This can provide four parallel energy paths between the input and the output. These energy paths can be arranged to introduce at least one transmission zero to the frequency response of the filter, as will be described in more detail below. In this regard, the term zero refers to a transmission minimum in the frequency response of the filter, meaning transmission of signals at that frequency will be minimal, as will be understood by persons skilled in the art.

(20) A specific example filter is shown in FIG. 2. In this example, the filter 100 includes a resonator body 102 (FIG. 1) having a surface 108 (FIG. 2) at which the body is coupled to the substrate 106. A coating 110 of conductive material (such as metal) is formed around the periphery of the surface 108. The coating 110 may be formed on at least one of the other faces of the resonator body 102. In some embodiments, all of the other faces of the resonator body 102 are at least partially coated by the coating 110. However, as noted above, the surface 108 of the body adjacent the substrate 106 is left substantially uncoated to allow signals to be coupled to the resonator body 102, with the remainder of the surface, which is coated, being electrically connected to the groundplane located on, or within the substrate.

(21) The coupling structure 104 of this embodiment is formed from an array of pads or patches 112 insulated from each other and through which signals are transmitted to and/or recovered from the resonator body 102. The mutual insulation of each patch keeps the interference of signals between the patches to a minimum. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the coupling structure 104 includes an array of sixteen substantially square patches 112 arranged in a 4 by 4 configuration. The patches 112 are configured to couple to a track or to connectors on the substrate 106. As an alternative to being connected directly to the substrate 106, in other embodiments, the patches 112 may be connected to a printed circuit board (not shown) via which signals are fed to the resonator body 102.

(22) Each of the patches 112 includes at least one connection, or feed point (not shown), to which a feed line (not shown) can be connected for provision of a signal to the patch. In some embodiments, each patch 112 includes two or more feed points. Similarly, in some embodiments, the or each feed point is located centrally within the patch 112 whereas, in other embodiments, the or each feed point is located offset from the centre of the patch.

(23) Although, in this embodiment, each of the patches 112 has a square shape, the patches can be any shape. In some embodiments, the patches 112 are compact shapes such as circles, triangles, squares, pentagons and the like. In other embodiments, the patches 112 are elongated shapes such as rectangles, ellipses and the like. Similarly, while, in this embodiment, all of the patches 112 are the same shape, in other embodiments, a combination of patches of different compact geometric shapes, or a combination of patches of compact and elongated geometric shapes may be used. Patches 112 of compact geometric shapes have greater rotational symmetry than patches of elongated geometric shapes and, consequently, compact geometric shaped patches couple predominantly to the electric field (E-field), with relatively little coupling to the magnetic field (H-field). In contrast, patches having elongated geometric shapes couple to a greater degree to the H-field in addition to the E-field coupling.

(24) In addition to the shape of the patches 112, the size of the patches is also determinative with regard to the strength with which the patches couple to the E-field and to the H-field. Relatively small patches couple primarily to the E-field. Relatively large patches contribute an amount of H-field coupling in addition to the E-field coupling. It will be appreciated that a combination of patches of different sizes may be used to achieve a desired coupling to the E-field and the H-field.

(25) Another factor that determines the amount by which the patches 112 contribute to the E-field and the H-field is the position of the feed point (that is, the signal input point) into each patch. If the point at which a signal is fed into a patch 112 is substantially central in the patch, then the predominant excitation provided by the patch is an E-field excitation. However, if the signal is fed into the patch at a point offset from the centre, then H-field excitation is generated in addition to an E-field excitation.

(26) FIGS. 3 and 4 show a side view and an underside view respectively of an alternative embodiment of the invention in which the coupling structure 104 is formed from an array of probes 114. Each of the probes 114 is an elongate conductor which is configured to couple, at one end, to a track or to connectors on the substrate 106, and at the other end, to the surface 108 of the resonator body 102 (FIG. 3). In this embodiment, the probes 114 are substantially circular in cross section (see FIG. 4). However, probes having other cross sections, such as square or elliptical, may be used in alternative embodiments. A number of connections, such as a connection between the metallic coating 110 and a track or groundplane layer on the substrate 106, have been omitted from FIG. 3 (and FIGS. 5 and 6) for clarity. Those skilled in the art will appreciate, however, that the filter 100 may include further connections and components not essential to the understanding of this invention and which have been omitted from the drawings.

(27) As with the embodiments described above in which the coupling structure 104 includes patches 112, the probes 114 may be arranged in a regular array, for example in a 4 by 4 configuration. Alternatively, a smaller or larger array may be used, and/or the probes may be arranged in an irregular configuration.

(28) In FIG. 5, the resonator body 102 is shown having a coupling structure 104 which includes an array of probes 114 which penetrate the surface 108 of the resonator body 102. Each probe 114 is configured to fit into one of an array of complementary-shaped recesses 116 formed in the resonator body 102. In some embodiments, the probes 114 penetrate a short depth into the resonator body 102. In other embodiments, the probes 114 penetrate a substantial proportion of their length into the resonator body 102. The lengths of the probes 114 has an effect on the degree of coupling afforded from the probe to the resonator body 102. Thus, the lengths of the probes can be chosen according to the coupling required at each probe 114. In some embodiments, some probes 114 in an array can have lengths that differ from other probes in the array, thereby creating a desired field pattern to excite particular modes within the resonator body 102.

(29) FIG. 6 shows an alternative embodiment of the invention in which each of the probes 114 includes a shielding element 118. Each shielding element 118 is a grounded conductor which at least partially surrounds a corresponding probe 114. The shielding elements 118 are configured and positioned such that they are in contact with the metallic coating 110 surrounding the resonator body 102, and may take any known form, such as a wire mesh ring or a solid shield. In some embodiments, where the probes 114 are shorter than a particular length, shielding elements 118 are not required and may, therefore, be omitted.

(30) The degree of coupling of the signal from each probe 114 to a resonance mode of the resonator body 102 is, in part, determined by the length of the probe. The length of each probe 114 also has an effect on the degree of H-field coupling relative to the E-field coupling from the probe. Additionally, the amount by which a probe 114 penetrates into the resonator body 102 affects the degree of coupling from the probe. A relatively long probe which penetrates relatively deeply into the resonator body 102 generates a greater H-field coupling than a relatively shorter probe, or a probe that penetrates a shorter depth into the resonator body 102. A relatively very short probe 114 contributes little or no H-field coupling. What constitutes long and short in terms of probe length depends on the degree of penetration of the probe into the resonator body 102: a short probe is one which has minimal penetration into the body, and a long probe is one which penetrates the body to a significant degree.

(31) So far, two alternatives for the elements of the coupling structure have been describedpatches 112 and probes 114. In an alternative embodiment, the coupling structure 104 includes an array of loop elements (not shown), which may be arranged in a configuration similar to those described above. The loop elements serve to couple substantially to the H-field, with relatively little E-field coupling occurring.

(32) It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that, in alternative embodiments, a combination of patches 112, probes 114 and loop elements might be implemented in order to achieve a desired field pattern and to achieve a desired level of excitation of particular modes within the resonator body 102.

(33) So far, in the above examples, nothing has been said regarding the functions of the individual elements of the coupling structure 104. FIG. 7 shows an embodiment in which the coupling structure 104 includes two types of couplings: input couplings 104a (shown with hatching), and output couplings 104b (shown without hatching). In this instance, a signal supplied via one of the inputs 104a couples to the resonance modes of the resonator body 102, so that a filtered signal is obtained via the outputs 104b. While, in this example, half of the coupling elements are inputs 104a and half of the coupling elements are outputs 104b, it will be appreciated that this arrangement is for the purpose of example only, and fewer or more input and/or output couplings may be used depending on the preferred implementation. Moreover, the arrangement of inputs and outputs on the resonator body 102 may be varied as described below.

(34) In one example, different coupling structures can be provided on different surfaces of the resonator body. A further alternative is for a coupling structure to extend over multiple surfaces of the resonator body, with different coupling elements being provided on different surfaces (for example, an array of input couplings on one surface of the resonator body 102 and an array of output couplings on a different surface of the resonator body), or with coupling elements extending over multiple surfaces. Such arrangements can be used to allow a particular configuration of input and output to be accommodated, for example to meet physical constraints associated with other equipment, or to allow alternative coupling arrangements to be provided. In use, a configuration of the input and output coupling elements, along with the configuration of the resonator body 102 controls a degree of coupling with each of the plurality of resonance modes and hence the properties of the filter, such as the frequency response.

(35) In addition to couplings for feeding signals to and from the resonator body 102, in some examples of the invention, one or more of the inputs are coupled to one or more of the outputs and vice versa.

(36) Signals are fed to each of the patches 112 and probes 114 via one or more transmission or feed lines. The feed lines may take the form, for example, of a track on a PCB. In some examples of the invention, such as in the example shown in FIG. 8, a feed line 120 is connected to a plurality of input couplings 104a in series. In this example, the feed line 120 is coupled only to the input couplings 104a. However, in other embodiments, the feed line may be coupled to more or fewer patches 112 or probes 114. The meandering nature of the feed line 120 allows a designer of the filter 100 to select which coupling elements the feed line is connected to, and the order in which they are connected. Furthermore, as will be discussed further below, the length of the feed line can be selected such that the signal arriving at any particular coupling element has a desired phase.

(37) In the example shown in FIG. 9, the input couplings 104a receive signals via an alternative to a single feed line 120 (FIG. 8). In this example, a primary feed line 120a transmits signals to a plurality of secondary feed lines 120b which, in turn, transmit signals to the input couplings 104a. The structure of the primary and secondary feed lines in this example resemble a star or spider arrangement.

(38) The impedance of the feed lines is another factor that affects the degree of coupling of the signal to the resonance modes in the resonator body 102.

(39) As is mentioned briefly above, the degree of coupling, and the particular resonance mode to which a coupling is made can be determined, in part, by the phase of a signal at a particular coupling element. FIGS. 8 and 9 show alternative arrangements of feed or transmission lines 120 that transmit signals from a signal source (not shown) to one or more of the coupling elements of the coupling structure 104. The length of the feed line along which a signal is transmitted affects the phase of the signal when it arrives at a coupling element. That is to say, a first signal that travels comparatively greater distance along a feed line to a coupling element will be at least partially out of phase with a second signal that travels a comparatively shorter distance along a feed line. Of course, if the extra distance travelled by a first signal is equal to one complete cycle of the that signal, then the first and second signals would be in phase with one another.

(40) The relative phases of signals at the coupling elements can be dictated by configuring the length of the feed line along which the signals are transmitted. By dictating the phase of the signals at each coupling element, it is possible to control higher-order spurious modes and, preferably, reduce their amplitude. By reducing the amplitude of the spurious higher-order modes, filter designers are able to meet demanding filter specifications without the need to make significant, complex and expensive structural modifications to the dielectric material or the need to provide additional filtering stages to attenuate the unwanted responses.

(41) FIG. 10 shows an underside view of the resonator body 102 with a plurality of input couplings 104a and a plurality of output couplings 104b. In this example, a feed line 122 provides a connection between all of the input couplings 104a. In contrast to the examples shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the feed line 122 of FIG. 10 includes a number of junctions 122a which allow the feed line to be directed to desired coupling elements on the resonator body 102. In addition, the feed line 122 includes a number of meanders 122b which serve to increase the length of the feed line between coupling elements on the line. As discussed above, the distance that a signal travels along a feed line dictates, in part, the phase of the signal at a coupling element. Therefore, it is possible to achieve a phase of a signal at a particular coupling element by designing the feed line such that the signal travels an appropriate distance along the feed line to reach the coupling element. Of course, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that, while the feed line is shown to meander in this invention, other mechanisms for increasing the length of the feed line could alternatively be used. Similarly, the feed line may comprise a single continuous feed line with no junctions, and incorporating fewer or more meanders or similar mechanisms for increasing the length of the feed line between coupling elements. Alternatively, the feed line arrangement may be similar to the arrangement shown in FIG. 9, with meanders being incorporated into the secondary feed lines 120b. An example of such an arrangement is shown in FIG. 11. A primary feed line 124a transmits signals to a plurality of secondary feed lines 124b, each of which is coupled to a coupling element. While, in this example, only five secondary feed lines 124b are shown, in practice, any number of secondary feed lines may be incorporated, connecting the primary feed line 124a to any number of coupling elements, as required by the design of the filter.

(42) In practice, the length of the feed line 122 feeding each coupling element is calculated, based on the desired phase at each coupling element, using an electromagnetic simulation tool, such as CST Microwave Studio, manufactured by Computer Simulation Technology AG.

(43) In some examples of the invention, a concept known as amplitude tapering may be used to control and specify the amplitude across the array of coupling elements. In one scenario, the amplitude of the signal transmitted to coupling elements at the centre of the array is greater than the amplitude of the signal or signals transmitted to coupling elements surrounding the central element, and the coupling elements around the periphery of the array. This concept is advantageous in targeting the excitation predominantly to a specific mode, for example, in the case of an array of patches, this mechanism would target a known mode such as the TM110 mode.

(44) In an alternative scenario, the amplitude of the signal transmitted to coupling elements at the centre of the array is lower than the amplitude of the signal or signals transmitted to coupling elements surrounding the central element, and the coupling elements around the periphery of the array. This concept is advantageous as a means to minimise mutual coupling between a group of input elements on one side of the array (and hence resonator body) and output elements on the other side.

(45) An advantage of the above-described examples is that, by controlling particular design aspects of the filter, such as the size, shape and location of the coupling elements, and the length and other aspects of the transmission line feeding signals to the coupling elements, it is possible to accurately control the fields generated as a result of the signal and, thus, the excitation modes of the resonator body that are excited by the signals.

(46) In the examples described above, a cuboid resonator body 102 is used. Such a resonator body enables coupling of up to three resonance modes. However, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, a resonator body of a different three-dimensional shape may provide a different number of degenerate resonance modes. For example, a rectangular cuboid resonator body (that is a 2:2:1 ratio cuboid) has four degenerate resonance modes. Thus, filters can be designed having one or more resonator bodies or the same or different shapes, depending on the required characteristics of the filter.

(47) Moreover, characteristics of a filter may be chosen by applying defects to the resonator body. Such defects may include shaving a particular amount of dielectric material from an edge of the resonator body, or drilling one or more holes of a particular size into the body.

(48) In some scenarios, a single resonator body cannot provide adequate performance (for example, attenuation of out of band signals). In this instance, filter performance can be improved by providing two or more resonator bodies arranged in series, to thereby implement a higher-performance filter.

(49) In one example, this can be achieved by providing two resonator bodies in contact with each other, with one or more apertures provided in the silver coatings of the resonator bodies, where the bodies are in contact. This allows the fields in each cube to enter the adjacent cube, so that a resonator body can receive a signal from or provide a signal to another resonator body. When two resonator bodies are connected, this allows each resonator body to include only a single coupling array, with a coupling array on one resonator body acting as an input and the coupling array on the other resonator body acting as an output. Alternatively, the input of a downstream filter can be coupled to the output of an upstream filter using a suitable connection such as a short transmission line.

(50) The above described examples have focused on coupling to up to four modes. It will be appreciated this allows coupling to be to low order resonance modes of the resonator body. However, this is not essential, and additionally or alternatively coupling could be to higher order resonance modes of the resonator body.

(51) Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that numerous variations and modifications will become apparent. All such variations and modifications which become apparent to persons skilled in the art are considered to fall within the spirit and scope of the invention broadly appearing before described.