TUNABLE DUAL-BAND BAND-PASS FILTER

Abstract

A tunable dual-band resonator and a tunable dual-band band-pass filter using the tunable dual-band resonator. The dual-band resonator is structured such that a stub is added to each half-wavelength resonator provided with half-wavelength resonator protrusions (capacity-component adjust parts). The dual-band resonator is made up of an odd-number mode resonator in a shape including a ground conductor disposed on the back surface of a dielectric body, and a strip conductor disposed on the top surface thereof, and an even-number mode resonator in such a shape as to be formed when the stub is connected to an end face on the opposite side of the open-end of the strip, characterized in that a dielectric rod circular in cross section is provided in the space above the respective stubs, and another dielectric rod circular in cross section is provided in the space above the half-wavelength resonator protrusions.

Claims

1. A tunable dual-band resonator structured such that a stub is added to each half-wavelength resonator, each thereof provided with half-wavelength resonator protrusions (capacity-component adjust parts), symmetric planes of the stubs, functioning as an electrical/magnetic wall, respectively, the dual-band resonator operating in two frequency-bands due to resonance in an odd-number mode and resonance in an even-number mode, and being capable of adjusting a resonator length such that the half-wavelength resonator serves as the resonator in the odd-number mode, while the half-wavelength resonator and the stub serve as the resonator in the even-number mode, thereby causing the odd-number mode to resonate on a low-frequency side, while causing the even-number mode to resonate on a high-frequency side, alternatively, enabling the odd-number mode to resonate on the high-frequency side, while enabling the even-number mode to resonate on the low-frequency side; said dual-band resonator being made up of: an odd-number mode resonator in a shape including a ground conductor in a predetermined thickness disposed on the back surface of a dielectric body, and a strip conductor disposed on the top surface thereof, the relevant strip conductor being one length of a thin strip conductor cut off at an open-end thereof (a location where the strip is not linked), provided with a deeply retreated groove having a width g, one length of the strip conductor in a laterally symmetric shape, having a width d, being provided at the tip of the groove as well as the end face of the strip conductor; and an even-number mode resonator in such a shape as to be formed when the stub having a length l is connected to an end face on the opposite side of the open-end of the strip; wherein the dual-band resonator operating as the odd-number mode resonator, when the electric current flows to the symmetric planes of the stubs, while operating as the even-number mode resonator when the electric current does not flow to the symmetric planes; characterized in that a dielectric rod circular in cross section is provided in the space above the respective stubs, and a dielectric rod circular in cross section is provided in the space above the half-wavelength resonator protrusions (capacity-component adjust parts) of the half-wavelength resonator, thereby enabling resonance frequency in the even-number mode, and resonance frequency in the odd-number mode, to be tuned independently from each other.

2. A tunable dual-band band-pass filter having a structure incorporating a dual-band resonator structured such that each stub is added to each half-wavelength resonator, each thereof provided with half-wavelength resonator protrusions (capacity-component adjust parts), symmetric planes of the stubs, functioning as an electrical/magnetic wall, respectively, the dual-band resonator operating in two frequency-bands due to resonance in an odd-number mode and resonance in an even-number mode, and being capable of adjusting a resonator length such that the half-wavelength resonator serves as the resonator in the odd-number mode, while the half-wavelength resonator and the stub serve as the resonator in the even-number mode, thereby causing the odd-number mode to resonate on a low-frequency side, while causing the even-number mode to resonate on a high-frequency side, alternatively, enabling the odd-number mode to resonate on the high-frequency side, while enabling the even-number mode to resonate on the low-frequency side; said dual-band resonator being made up of: an odd-number mode resonator in a shape including a ground conductor in a predetermined thickness disposed on the back surface of a dielectric body, and a strip conductor disposed on the top surface thereof, the relevant strip conductor being one length of a thin strip conductor cut off at an open-end thereof (a location where the strip is not linked), provided with a deeply retreated groove having a width g, one length of the strip conductor in a laterally symmetric shape, having a width d, being provided at the tip of the groove as well as the end face of the strip conductor, and also including the half-wavelength resonator protrusions (capacity-component adjust parts); and an even-number mode resonator in such a shape as to be formed when the stub having a length 1 is connected to an end face on the opposite side of the open-end of the strip; wherein the dual band resonator operating as the odd-number mode resonator when the electric current flows to the symmetric planes of the stubs, while operating as the even-number mode resonator when the electric current does not flow to the symmetric planes; characterized in that a dielectric rod circular in cross section is provided in the space above the half-wavelength resonator protrusions (capacity-component adjust parts) of the half-wavelength resonator and a dielectric rod circular in cross section is provided in the space above the respective stubs.

3. A multistage-type (two-stage) dual-band band-pass filter having a structure incorporating two units (in total) of the dual-band resonators (first and second ones), each dual-band resonator structured such that a stub is added to each half-wavelength resonator, each thereof provided with half-wavelength resonator protrusions (capacity-component adjust parts), symmetric planes of the stubs, functioning as an electrical/magnetic wall, respectively, the dual-band resonator operating in two frequency-bands due to resonance in an odd-number mode and resonance in an even-number mode, and being capable of adjusting a resonator length such that the half-wavelength resonator serves as the resonator in the odd-number mode, whereas the half-wavelength resonator and the stub serve as the resonator in the even-number mode, thereby causing the odd-number mode to resonate on a low-frequency side, while causing the even-number mode to resonate on a high-frequency side, alternatively, enabling the odd-number mode to resonate on the high-frequency side, while enabling the even-number mode to resonate on the low-frequency side; the first dual-band resonator being made up of: an odd-number mode resonator in a shape including a ground conductor and a strip conductor disposed on the top surface of the dielectric body, the relevant strip conductor being one length of a thin strip conductor cut off at the open-end thereof (the location where the strip is not linked), being provided with a deeply retreated groove having a width g, and one length of the strip conductor in a laterally symmetric shape, having a width d, being provided at the tip of the groove as well as the end face of the strip conductor, and also including the half-wavelength resonator protrusions (capacity-component adjust parts); and an even-number mode resonator in such a shape as to be formed when the stub having a length l is connected to an end face on the opposite side of the open-end of the strip, wherein the dual band resonator operating as the odd-number mode resonator when the electric current flows to the symmetric planes of the stubs, while operating as the even-number mode resonator when the electric current does not flow to the symmetric planes; and the second dual-band resonator identical in configuration to the first dual-band resonator, the orientation thereof being varied by 180 degrees, provided with an H-shaped waveguide, an end face thereof having a length n, and located at a given interval m away from the first dual-band resonator, characterized in that feeder conductor lines are provided along half-wavelength resonator of the first dual-band resonator as well as the second dual-band resonator, the feeder conductor line on one side, functioning as an input side, while the feeder conductor line on the other side, functioning as an output side, whereupon the multistage-type dual-band band-pass filter serves as the two-stage dual-band band-pass filter; characterized in that a dielectric rod circular in cross section is provided in the space above each of the half-wavelength resonator protrusions (capacity-component adjust parts) of the half-wavelength resonator, and a dielectric rod circular in cross section is provided in the space above each of the respective stubs.

4. A method of adjusting shift amount of frequency-tuning so as to adjust band-pass characteristics in the odd-number mode alone in the two-stage dual-band band-pass filter according to claim 3, the method comprising a step of adjusting a distance of only the respective dielectric rods circular in cross section, provided in the space above the half-wavelength resonator protrusions (capacity-component adjust parts) of the half-wavelength resonator, from the tunable dual-band band-pass filter, entirely at the same height.

5. A method of adjusting shift amount of frequency-tuning so as to adjust band-pass characteristics in the odd-number mode alone in the two-stage dual-band band-pass filter according to claim 3, the method comprising a step of adjusting a distance of only the respective dielectric rods circular in cross section, provided in the space above the respective stubs, from the tunable dual-band band-pass filter, entirely at the same height.

6. A method of improving (trimming) degeneration in the band-pass characteristics, occurring after the tuning of the respective center-frequencies so as to improve the band-pass characteristics in the odd-number mode alone in the two-stage tunable dual-band band-pass filter according to claim 3, the method comprising a step of individually adjusting a distance of only the respective dielectric rod circular in cross section, provided in the space above the half-wavelength resonator protrusions (capacity-component adjust parts) of the half-wavelength resonator, from the tunable dual-band band-pass filter.

7. A method of improving (trimming) degeneration in the band-pass characteristics, occurring after the tuning of the respective center-frequencies so as to improve the band-pass characteristics in the odd-number mode alone in the two-stage tunable dual-band band-pass filter according to claim 3, the method comprising a step of individually adjusting a distance of only the respective dielectric rod circular in cross section, provided in the space above the respective stubs, from the tunable dual-band band-pass filter.

8. A multistage-type (three-stage) dual-band band-pass filter having a structure incorporating three units (in total) of the dual-band resonators (first, second and third ones), each dual-band resonator structured such that a stub is added to each half-wavelength resonator, each thereof provided with half-wavelength resonator protrusions (capacity-component adjust parts), symmetric planes of the stubs, functioning as an electrical/magnetic wall, respectively, the dual-band resonator operating in two frequency-bands due to resonance in an odd-number mode and resonance in an even-number mode, and being capable of adjusting a resonator length such that the half-wavelength resonator serves as the resonator in the odd-number mode, whereas the half-wavelength resonator and the stub serve as the resonator in the even-number mode, thereby causing the odd-number mode to resonate on a low-frequency side, while causing the even-number mode to resonate on a high-frequency side, alternatively, enabling the odd-number mode to resonate on the high-frequency side, while enabling the even-number mode to resonate on the low-frequency side; and the first dual-band resonator being made up of: an odd-number mode resonance-waveguide in a shape including a ground conductor in a predetermined thickness disposed on the back surface of a dielectric body, and a strip conductor disposed on the top surface of the dielectric body, the relevant strip conductor being one length of a thin strip conductor cut off at the open-end thereof (the location where the strip is not linked), being provided with a deeply retreated groove provided with a width g, and one length of the strip conductor in a laterally symmetric shape, having a width d, being provided at the tip of the groove as well as the end face of the strip conductor, and also including the half-wavelength resonator protrusions (capacity-component adjust parts); and an even-number mode resonance-waveguide in such a shape as to be formed when the stub having a length 1 is connected to an end face on the opposite side of the open-end of the strip, wherein the first dual band resonator operating as the odd-number mode resonance-waveguide, when the electric current flows to the symmetric planes of the stubs, while operating as the even-number mode resonance-waveguide when the electric current does not flow to the symmetric planes; the second dual-band resonator identical in configuration to the first dual-band resonator, the orientation thereof being varied by 180 degrees, provided with an H-shaped waveguide, an end face thereof having a length n, and located at a given interval m away from the first dual-band resonator, incorporating the half-wavelength resonator protrusions (capacity-component adjust parts); and the third dual-band resonator identical in configuration to the first dual-band resonator, the orientation thereof being varied by 180 degrees, provided with an H-shaped waveguide, an end face thereof having a length n, and located at a given interval m away from the second dual-band resonator, the second dual-band resonator being provided between the first dual-band resonator and the third dual-band resonator, characterized in that feeder conductor lines 13 are provided along half-wavelength resonator of the first dual-band resonator as well as the third dual-band resonator, the feeder conductor line on one side, functioning as an input side, while the feeder conductor line on the other side, functioning as an output side, whereupon the multistage-type dual-band band-pass filter serves as the three-stage dual-band band-pass filter; characterized in that a dielectric rod circular in cross section is provided in the space above each of the half-wavelength resonator protrusions (capacity-component adjust parts) of the half-wavelength resonator, and the dielectric rod circular in cross section is provided in the space above each of the respective stubs.

9. A method of adjusting shift amount of frequency-tuning so as to adjust band-pass characteristics in the odd-number mode alone in the three-stage dual-band band-pass filter according to claim 8, the method comprising a step of adjusting a distance of only the respective dielectric rods circular in cross section, provided in the space above the half-wavelength resonator protrusions (capacity-component adjust parts) of the half-wavelength resonator, from the tunable dual-band band-pass filter.

10. A method of adjusting shift amount of frequency-tuning so as to adjust band-pass characteristics in the even-number mode alone in the three-stage dual-band band-pass filter according to claim 8, the method comprising a step of adjusting a distance of only the respective dielectric rods circular in cross section, provided in the space above the respective stubs, from the tunable dual-band band-pass filter.

11. A method of improving (trimming) degeneration in the band-pass characteristics, occurring after the tuning of the respective center-frequencies so as to improve the band-pass characteristics in the odd-number mode alone in the three-stage tunable dual-band band-pass filter according to claim 8, the method comprising a step of individually adjusting a distance of only the respective dielectric rod circular in cross section, provided in the space above the half-wavelength resonator protrusions (capacity-component adjust parts) of the half-wavelength resonator, from the tunable dual-band band-pass filter.

12. A method of improving (trimming) degeneration in the band-pass characteristics, occurring after the tuning of the respective center-frequencies so as to improve the band-pass characteristics in the even-number mode alone in the three-stage tunable dual-band band-pass filter according to claim 8, the method comprising a step of individually adjusting a distance of only the respective dielectric rod circular in cross section, provided in the space above the respective stubs, from the tunable dual-band band-pass filter.

13. A multistage-type (n-stage) dual-band band-pass filter having a structure incorporating n-units (in total) of the dual-band resonators (first, second, third, fourth, . . . nth resonators), each dual-band resonator structured such that a stub is added to each half-wavelength resonator, each thereof provided with half-wavelength resonator protrusions (capacity-component adjust parts), symmetric planes of the stubs, functioning as an electrical / magnetic wall, respectively, the dual-band resonator operating in two frequency-bands due to resonance in an odd-number mode and resonance in an even-number mode resonance, and being capable of adjusting a resonator length such that the half-wavelength resonator serves as the resonator in the odd-number mode, whereas the half-wavelength resonator and the stub serve as the resonator in the even-number mode, thereby causing the odd-number mode to resonate on a low-frequency side, while causing the even-number mode to resonate on a high-frequency side, alternatively, enabling the odd-number mode to resonate on the high-frequency side, while enabling the even-number mode to resonate on the low-frequency side, and the first dual-band resonator being made up of: an odd-number mode resonance-waveguide in a shape including a ground conductor in a predetermined thickness disposed on the back surface of a dielectric body, and a strip conductor disposed on the top surface of the dielectric body, the relevant strip conductor being one length of a thin strip conductor cut off at the open-end thereof (the location where the strip is not linked), being provided with a deeply retreated groove having a width g, and one length of the strip conductor in a laterally symmetric shape, having a width d, being provided at the tip of the groove as well as the end face of the strip conductor, and also including the half-wavelength resonator protrusions (capacity-component adjust parts); and an even-number mode resonance-waveguide in such a shape as to be formed when the stub having a length l is connected to an end face on the opposite side of the open-end of the strip, the first dual band resonator operating as the odd-number mode resonance-waveguide, when the electric current flows to the symmetric planes of the stubs, while operating as the even-number mode resonance-waveguide when the electric current does not flow to the symmetric planes; the second dual-band resonator identical in configuration to the first dual-band resonator, the orientation thereof being varied by 180 degrees, provided with an H-shaped waveguide, an end face thereof having a length n, and located at a given interval m away from the first dual-band resonator, incorporating the half-wavelength resonator protrusions (capacity-component adjust parts); and the third dual-band resonator identical in configuration to the first dual-band resonator, the orientation thereof being varied by 180 degrees, provided with an H-shaped waveguide, an end face thereof having a length n, and located at a given interval m away from the second dual-band resonator, the second dual-band resonator being provided between the first dual-band resonator and the third dual-band resonator, characterized in that feeder conductor lines are provided along half-wavelength resonator of the first dual-band resonator as well as the third dual-band resonator, the feeder conductor line on one side, functioning as an input side, while the feeder conductor line on the other side, functioning as an output side, the multistage-type dual-band band-pass filter further including the fourth, the fifth, the . . . nth dual-band resonators, and serving as the n-stage dual-band band-pass filter; characterized in that a dielectric rod circular in cross section is provided in the space above each of the half-wavelength resonator protrusions (capacity-component adjust parts) of the half-wavelength resonator, and the dielectric rod circular in cross section is provided in the space above each of the respective stubs.

14. A tunable dual-band resonator structured such that each stub 11 is added to each half-wavelength resonator, and stepped impedance structures which are structured or formed by extending half-wavelength resonator protrusions (capacity-component adjust parts) close to a connection portion between each stub and each half-wavelength resonator, and symmetric planes of the stubs functioning as an electrical/magnetic wall, respectively, the dual-band resonator operating in two frequency-bands due to resonance in an odd-number mode and resonance in an even-number mode, and being capable of adjusting a resonator length such that the half-wavelength resonator serves as the resonator in the odd-number mode, while the half-wavelength resonator and the stub serve as the resonator in the even-number mode, thereby causing the odd-number mode to resonate on a low-frequency side, while causing the even-number mode to resonate on a high-frequency side, alternatively, enabling the odd-number mode to resonate on the high-frequency side, while enabling the even-number mode to resonate on the low-frequency side; said dual-band resonator being made up of: an odd-number mode resonator in a shape including a ground conductor in a predetermined thickness disposed on the back surface of a dielectric body, and a strip conductor disposed on the top surface thereof, the relevant strip conductor being one length of a thin strip conductor cut off at an open-end thereof (a location where the strip is not linked), provided with a deeply retreated groove having a width g, one length of the strip conductor in a laterally symmetric shape, having a width d, being provided at the tip of the groove as well as the end face of the strip conductor; and an even-number mode resonator in such a shape as to be formed when the stub having a length 1 is connected to an end face on the opposite side of the open-end of the strip; wherein the dual-band resonator operating as the odd-number mode resonator, when the electric current flows to the symmetric planes of the stubs, while operating as the even-number mode resonator when the electric current does not flow to the symmetric planes; characterized in that a dielectric rod circular in cross section is provided in the space above the respective stubs, another dielectric rod circular in cross section is provided in the space above the stepped impedance structures of the half-wavelength resonator, wherein each rod is vertically moved in given positions to implement tuning, thereby enabling a resonance frequency in the odd-number mode and a resonance frequency in the even-number mode to be tuned independently from each other.

15. A tunable dual-band band-pass filter having a structure incorporating a dual-band resonator structured such that each stub is added to each half-wavelength resonator, and stepped impedance structures which are structured or formed by extending half-wavelength resonator protrusions (capacity-component adjust parts) close to a connection portion between each stub and each half-wavelength resonator, and symmetric planes of the stubs functioning as an electrical/magnetic wall, respectively, the dual-band resonator operating in two frequency-bands due to resonance in an odd-number mode and resonance in an even-number mode, and being capable of adjusting a resonator length such that the half-wavelength resonator serves as the resonator in the odd-number mode, while the half-wavelength resonator and the stub serve as the resonator in the even-number mode, thereby causing the odd-number mode to resonate on a low-frequency side, while causing the even-number mode to resonate on a high-frequency side, alternatively, enabling the odd-number mode to resonate on the high-frequency side, while enabling the even-number mode to resonate on the low-frequency side; said dual-band resonator being made up of: an odd-number mode resonator in a shape including a ground conductor in a predetermined thickness disposed on the back surface of a dielectric body, and a strip conductor disposed on the top surface thereof, the relevant strip conductor being one length of a thin strip conductor cut off at an open-end thereof (a location where the strip is not linked), provided with a deeply retreated groove having a width g, one length of the strip conductor in a laterally symmetric shape, having a width d, being provided at the tip of the groove as well as the end face of the strip conductor; and an even-number mode resonator in such a shape as to be formed when the stub having a length 1 is connected to an end face on the opposite side of the open-end of the strip; wherein the dual-band resonator operating as the odd-number mode resonator, when the electric current flows to the symmetric planes of the stubs, while operating as the even-number mode resonator when the electric current does not flow to the symmetric planes; characterized in that a dielectric rod circular in cross section is provided in the space above the respective stubs, another dielectric rod circular in cross section is provided in the space above the stepped impedance structures of the half-wavelength resonator, wherein each rod is vertically moved in given positions to implement tuning, thereby enabling a resonance frequency in the odd-number mode and a resonance frequency in the even-number mode to be tuned independently from each other.

16. The tunable dual-band resonator according to claim 14, protrusions (capacity-component adjust parts) are provided by expanding a part of the stepped impedance structures in an outward direction of the groove, respectively.

17. A tunable dual-band band-pass filter employing the tunable dual-band resonator according to claim 16.

18. A multistage-type (n-stage) dual-band band-pass filter having a structure incorporating the dual-band resonator according to claim 14, each dual-band resonator having a structure incorporating n-units (in total) of dual-band resonators (first, second, third, fourth, . . . nth resonators), the first dual-band resonator having protrusions (capacity-component adjust parts) which are provided by expanding a part of the stepped impedance structures in an outward direction of the groove, the second dual-band resonator being identical in configuration to the first dual-band resonator, and the orientation thereof being varied by 180 degrees, and provided with an H-shaped waveguide, an end face thereof having a length n, and located at a given interval m away from the first dual-band resonator; the third dual-band resonator being identical in configuration to the first dual-band resonator, and the orientation thereof is varied by 180 degrees, and provided with an H-shaped waveguide 12, an end face thereof having a length n, and located at a given interval m away from the second dual-band resonator, the second dual-band resonator being provided between the first dual-band resonator and the third dual-band resonator, wherein feeder conductor lines are provided along half-wavelength resonator 10 of the first dual-band resonator as well as the third dual-band resonator, and the conductor line on one side functions as an input side, while the feeder conductor line on the other side functions as an output side; said multistage-type dual-band band-pass filter further including the fourth, the fifth, the . . . nth dual-band resonators, and serving as the n-stage dual-band band-pass filter, characterized in that a dielectric rod 25 circular in cross section is provided in the space above each of the protrusions (capacity-component adjust parts) that are provided by expanding a part of the stepped impedance structures in an outward direction of the groove, and another dielectric rod circular in cross section is provided in the space above each of the respective stubs.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0055] FIG. 1 is a view showing a conventional dual band resonator;

[0056] FIG. 2 is a side view showing a dual band resonator according to the present invention;

[0057] FIG. 3 is a view showing a dielectric rod 25 that is ellipse-like in cross section, highly efficient in varying a shift amount of resonance in an odd-number mode proposed by the inventors of the present invention (reference example);

[0058] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a dual band resonator used in the present invention;

[0059] FIG. 5(a) is a view showing electric-current distribution in the dual-band resonator adopted in the present invention in case of odd-number mode, FIG. 5(b) is a view showing electric-current distribution in the dual-band resonator in case of even-number mode;

[0060] FIG. 6 is a view showing a half-wavelength resonator 10 provided with half-wavelength resonator protrusions (capacity-component adjust parts) 10-a, 10-b (upper part in figure), and a half-wavelength resonator 10 not provided with the half-wavelength resonator protrusions (capacity-component adjust parts) 10-a, 10-b (lower part in figure);

[0061] FIG. 7(a) is a view showing frequency characteristics of the half-wavelength resonator 10 provided with the half-wavelength resonator protrusions (capacity-component adjust parts) 10-a, 10-b (upper part in figure), and FIG. 7(b) is a view showing frequency characteristics of the half-wavelength resonator 10 not provided with half-wavelength resonator protrusions(capacity-component adjust parts) 10-a, 10-b (lower part in figure);

[0062] FIG. 8 is a view showing a two-stage tunable dual-band band-pass filter adopting the half-wavelength resonator 10 provided with the half-wavelength resonator protrusions (capacity-component adjust parts) 10-a, 10-b;

[0063] FIG. 9 is a view showing a three-stage tunable dual-band band-pass filter adopting the half-wavelength resonator 10 provided with the half-wavelength resonator protrusions (capacity-component adjust parts) 10-a, 10-b;

[0064] FIG. 10 is a view showing a six-stage tunable dual-band band-pass filter adopting the half-wavelength resonator provided with the half-wavelength resonator protrusions (capacity-component adjust parts) 10-a, 10-b (upper part in figure), and the frequency characteristics thereof (lower part in figure);

[0065] FIG. 11(a) is a view showing a common dual band resonator, and FIG. 11(b) is a view showing a dual band resonator wherein a half-wavelength resonator is structured in a stepped impedance structure;

[0066] FIG. 12(a) is a view showing frequency characteristics of the common dual-band resonator on both the case where a dielectric rod is provided and the case where the dielectric rod is not provided, FIG. 12(b) is a view showing frequency characteristics of the dual-band resonator, wherein a half-wavelength resonator is structured in a stepped impedance structure, on both the case where a dielectric rod is provided and the case where the dielectric rod is not provided;

[0067] FIG. 13 is a plan view of a dual band resonator, wherein a half-wavelength resonator is structured in a stepped impedance structure and provided with half-wavelength resonator protrusions (capacity-component adjust parts) 10-a1, 10-bl;

[0068] FIG. 14 is a view showing frequency characteristics of the dual-band resonator, wherein a half-wavelength resonator is structured in a stepped impedance structure and provided with half-wavelength resonator protrusions (capacity-component adjust parts) 10-a1, 10-b1, on both the case where a dielectric rod is provided and the case where the dielectric rod is not provided;

[0069] FIG. 15 is a view showing a four-stage tunable dual-band band-pass filter having a structure incorporating the dual-band resonator, that is provided with the stepped impedance structure and the half-wavelength resonator protrusions (capacity-component adjust parts) 10-a1, 10-b1; and

[0070] FIG. 16 is a view showing frequency characteristics of the dual-band resonator, with respect to the four-stage tunable dual-band band-pass filter, provided with the stepped impedance structure and the half-wavelength resonator protrusions (capacity-component adjust parts) 10-a1, 10-bl on both the case where the dielectric rod 25 is provided in the space above the half-wavelength resonator 10, and the case where the dielectric rod 25 is not provided.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0071] For the dielectric substrate for use in the present invention, use can be made of a commonly-known dielectric body, and a dielectric body excellent in formability is preferably used. A material small in dielectric dissipation factor is preferable in order to control dielectric loss. Further, a material high in heat conductivity is preferable in order to control rise in temperature. Further, with reference to a normal conductor as well as a superconductor, for use in the strip conductor and a microstrip-line, respectively, use can be of any known material. Still further, with reference to the constituent material of each of the half-wavelength resonator protrusions (capacity-component adjust parts) 10-a, 10-b, and the normal conductor as well as the superconductor, for use in the strip conductor and the microstrip-line, respectively, as well, use can be of any known material.

[0072] In FIG. 4, there is shown a structure of the resonator for use in the present invention, as a representative constituent-unit. FIG. 4 is a view showing the half-wavelength resonator (resonance in the odd-number mode) provided with the half-wavelength resonator protrusions (capacity-component adjust parts) 10-a, 10-b, the half-wavelength resonator 10 being basically in the shape of a laterally symmetric microstrip-line structure resembling hairpins, each thereof being provided with the groove having a width g.

[0073] In FIG. 4, the stub 11 is shown at the right-side end. For a constituent material of the stub 11, as well, use can be made of any known material for use in the normal conductor as well as the superconductor, used in the strip conductor and the microstrip-line, respectively. As to the shape of each of the half-wavelength resonator protrusions (capacity-component adjust parts) 10-a, 10-b, it need only be sufficient for the half-wavelength resonator protrusion to protrude along the strip conductor, and the half-wavelength resonator protrusion may be rectangular or staircase-like in shape, however, preferably laterally symmetric in shape.

[0074] At the center of FIG. 4, with the dual-band resonator structured such that the stub 11 is added to each half-wavelength resonator 10 in the shape of hairpin, symmetric A-B planes of the stubs 11 function as an electrical/magnetic wall, respectively. The dual-band resonator operates in two frequency-bands due to resonance in an odd-number mode and resonance in an even-number mode, and it can adjust a resonator length such that the half-wavelength resonator 10 serves as the resonator in the odd-number mode, whereas the half-wavelength resonator 10 and the stub serve 11 as the resonator in the even-number mode, thereby causing the odd-number mode to resonate on a low-frequency side, while causing the even-number mode to resonate on a high-frequency side, alternatively enabling the odd-number mode to resonate on the high-frequency side, while enabling the even-number mode to resonate on the low-frequency side. The dual-band resonator is made up of an odd-number mode resonator including a ground conductor in a predetermined thickness disposed on the back surface of a dielectric body, and a strip conductor disposed on the top surface thereof, wherein the relevant strip conductor is one length of a thin strip conductor cut off at an open-end thereof (the location where the strip is not linked), and provided with a deeply retreated groove having a width g, and the one length of the strip conductor is in a laterally symmetric shape, and has a width d, that is provided at the tip of the groove as well as the end face of the strip conductor. The dual-band resonator is also made up of an even-number mode resonator in such a shape that the stub 11 having a length l is connected to an end face on the opposite side of the open-end of the strip, wherein the dual-band resonator is characterized in operating as the odd-number mode resonator, when the electric current flows to the symmetric A-B planes of the stubs 11, while operating as the even-number mode resonator when the electric current does not flow to the symmetric A-B planes, as shown in FIG. 5.

[0075] The dual-band resonator can make up a dual-band band-pass filter by singly or by combination of plural unit.

[0076] The respective constituent materials of the strip conductor 10 (half-wavelength resonator), and the dielectric rod 25 movable in a direction vertical to the stub 11 are each preferably a material high in dielectric constant and low in dielectric dissipation factor, the material including sapphire, Kyosera V380, and so forth. The dielectric rod 25 according to the present invention is preferably in a bar-like shape circular in cross section to be structured so as to pushed in by turning a screw. Further, the diameter of a circle in cross section is preferably in a range of the width g of the groove up to the outer width across the two lengths of the strip conductor 10 (half-wavelength resonator), at the maximum.

[0077] Since the tunable dual-band resonator and the tunable dual-band ban-pass filter using the tunable dual-band resonator according to the present invention are basically the same as those disclosed in Patent Document 3 (JP 2014-014962) because the present invention is different from Patent Document 3 only in the point of use of the half-wavelength resonator provided with the half-wavelength resonator protrusions (capacity-component adjust parts) 10-a, 10-b instead of the half-wavelength resonator, which was proposed by the inventors of the present invention, and hence the basic structures of the tunable dual-band resonator and the tunable dual-band ban-pass filter using the tunable dual-band resonator according to the present invention are the same as those of the tunable dual-band resonator and the tunable dual-band ban-pass filter using the tunable dual-band resonator, which were disclosed in Patent Document 3 and proposed by the inventors of the present invention. Accordingly, with the tunable dual-band ban-pass filter according to the present invention, it is possible to implement the adjustment method of the shift amount of frequency-tuning for adjusting the band-pass characteristics in the odd-number mode alone, the adjustment method of the shift amount of frequency-tuning for adjusting the band-pass characteristics in the even-number mode alone, and the method of improving or trimming degeneration in the band-pass characteristics, occurring after the tuning of the frequencies, in the same way as disclosed in Patent Document 3.

[0078] Although a structure of the present invention is described next, it is possible for those skilled in the art to imitate and manufacture a dual-band ban-pass filter resembling the structure of the present invention, and hence the present invention is not limited only to the structure as described hereunder.

EXAMPLE 1

[0079] For an embodiment of the resonator according to the present invention, use is made of a microstrip-line structure, however, it is to be pointed out that the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0080] With the present invention, the microstrip-line structure was adopted, and the external appearance of the resonator as a whole is as shown in FIG. 2. More specifically, a strip conductor 23 (equivalent to a half-wavelength resonator 10, a stub 11, a waveguide 12, and a feeder conductor line 13, etc.) are provided on the top of a dielectric body 22 and a ground conductor 21 is provided underneath the dielectric body 22. The dielectric body 22 is preferably formed by use of a material small in dielectric dissipation factor in order to control dielectric loss. Further, the dielectric body 22 is preferably formed by use of a material high in heat conductivity in order to control rise in temperature. The ground conductor 21 is preferably formed by use of a material small in conductor loss, a superconducting material, in particular. The strip conductor as well is preferably formed by use of a material small in conductor loss, a superconducting material, in particular (the foregoing can be said of all figures showing the resonator as well as the filter, using the microstrip-line structure). A switch can be provided as necessary between the half-wavelength resonator 10 and the stud 11, in FIG. 4, however, the present embodiment shows one without the switch being provided.

[0081] In the dual-band resonator of FIG. 4, the A-B plane functions as the electrical/magnetic wall, and the dual-band resonator serves as the dual-band band-pass filter operating in the two frequency-bands due to resonance in the odd-number mode and resonance in the even-number mode. The dual-band resonator is of a basic structure in which the stub 11 is added to the half-wavelength resonators 10. Further, the dual-band resonator serves as the resonator in the odd-number mode, whereas the half-wavelength resonator, together with the stub, serves as the resonator in the even-number mode.

[0082] FIG. 5 is a view showing electric-current distribution in the dual-band resonator according to the present invention. In the case of the odd-number mode, an electric-current flowing through the dual-band resonator will flow through only the half-wavelength resonator 10, whereupon the half-wavelength resonator 10 operates as an odd-number mode resonator as shown in FIG. 5(a). A bend part of the half-wavelength resonator 10 is the central part thereof at this point in time, having a voltage at 0 and the electric-current at the maximum, so that the bend part can be regarded as GND, the stub 11 therefore exerting no influence on the resonance frequency of the half-wavelength resonator 10. In the case of the even-number mode, the electric-current flows through both the half-wavelength resonator 10 and the stub 11, whereupon the half-wavelength resonator 10 operates as a half-wavelength strait-line resonator as shown in FIG. 5(b).

[0083] As is evident from the electric-current distribution set forth above, the half-wavelength resonator 10 can function as the odd-number mode resonator when the current flows through the symmetric A-B planes, while the half-wavelength resonator 10 can function as the even-number mode resonator when the current does not flow through the symmetric A-B planes, so that the half-wavelength resonator 10 function as the dual-band resonator.

[0084] According to the resonator of the present invention, the resonator length was adjusted so that the odd-number mode resonates on a low-frequency side, while the even-number mode resonates on a high-frequency side. In some cases, the resonator length can be adjusted so that the odd-number mode resonates on the high-frequency side, while the even-number mode resonates on the low-frequency side. It is desired to downsize the dual-band resonator by assembling the half-wavelength resonator 10 and stub 11 into stepped impedance structure.

[0085] A figure shown in the upper part of FIG. 6 is a sectional view of an example of a tunable dual-band resonator configured according to the present invention. The half-wavelength resonator protrusions (capacity-component adjust parts) 10-a, 10-b are manufactured integrally with the half-wavelength resonator 10 composed of microstrip conductors making up the resonator. Further, a feeder conductor line 13 is provided along the half-wavelength resonator 10 for the purpose of inputting a signal to/outputting a signal from the dual-band resonator.

[0086] It was possible to considerably increase the shifting width in the odd-number mode by providing the dielectric rod 25 in the space above each of the half-wavelength resonator protrusions (capacity-component adjust parts) 10-a, 10-b of the half-wavelength resonator 10, and moving the dielectric rod 25 in a direction perpendicular to the planes of the strip conductor (half-wavelength resonator) 10 (see FIG. 7(a)). At this point in time, since the resonance frequency of the dual-band resonator in the odd-number mode alone is shifted while that in the even-number mode shows a fixed value, it is possible to completely tune the resonance frequency in the even-number mode, and resonance frequency in the odd-number mode, independently from each other.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE

[0087] A figure shown in the lower part of FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a tunable dual-band resonator configured for the purpose of comparison. This is the half-wavelength resonator 10, composed of microstrip conductors making up the resonator not provided with the half-wavelength resonator protrusions (capacity-component adjust parts) 10-a, 10-b. Further, a feeder conductor line 13 is provided along the half-wavelength resonator 10 for the purpose of inputting a signal to/outputting a signal from the dual-band resonator. A feeder conductor line 13 is provided along the other half-wavelength resonator 10 in order to take out a signal.

[0088] With respect to this resonator, that is a tunable dual-band resonator characterized in that the dielectric rod 25 circular in cross section is provided in the space above a common half-wavelength resonator 10 not provided with the half-wavelength resonator protrusions (capacity-component adjust parts) 10-a, 10-b, frequency characteristics of the resonator was examined on both the case where the dielectric rod 25 circular in cross section is provided in the space above the half-wavelength resonator 10, so as to oppose the plane of the strip conductor 23, and the case where the dielectric rod 25 circular in cross section is not provided.

[0089] In order to check examination results, a simulation was conducted by use of a three-dimensional electromagnetic-field analytical simulator (manufactured by AET Corp.). The resonance frequency of the dual-band resonator was 2. 25 GHz in the odd-number mode, and 3.5 GHz in the even-number mode. The dielectric constant of the dielectric rod 25 was 39, and the diameter of the dielectric rod 25 was the same as the width of the dual-band resonator. In this case, the diameter of the dielectric rod 25 was 2.5 mm. Further, the dielectric rod 25 was 20 mm in length. A distance between the dual-band resonator and the dielectric rod 25 was 0.01 mm when the dielectric rod 25 was disposed.

[0090] It is evident from the FIG. 7(a) that a shift width in the odd-number mode of the half-wavelength resonator 10 provided with the half-wavelength resonator protrusions (capacity-component adjust parts) 10-a, 10-b is increased about 1.8 times as much as that in the case of the common half-wavelength resonator 10 (FIG. 7(b)) not provided with the half-wavelength resonator protrusions (capacity-component adjust parts) 10-a, 10-b. Since the frequency in the even-number mode is not shifted in this case, it is evident that the resonance frequency only in the odd-number mode can be independently adjusted.

EXAMPLE 2

[0091] FIG. 8 shows a tunable dual-band band-pass filter made up by combining the tunable dual-band resistor of the present invention in two stages. Depicted by 12 is a waveguide, and in order to input a signal to/output a signal from the tunable dual-band band-pass filter, a feeder conductor line 13 is disposed along a half-wavelength resonator 10 on the left-hand side. In order to take out a signal, a feeder conductor line 13 is disposed along a half-wavelength resonator 10 on the right-hand side. Although a dielectric rod 25 is provided in the space above each of the half-wavelength resonator protrusions (capacity-component adjust parts) 10-a, 10-b, and a dielectric rod 25 is provided in the space above each of the respective stubs 11, they are not shown in FIG. 8.

EXAMPLE 3

[0092] FIG. 9 shows a tunable dual-band band-pass filter made up by combining the tunable dual-band resistor of the present invention in three stages. Depicted by 12 is a waveguide, and in order to input a signal to/output a signal from the tunable dual-band band-pass filter, a feeder conductor line 13 is disposed along a half-wavelength resonator 10 on the left-hand side. In order to take out a signal, a feeder conductor line 13 is disposed along a half-wavelength resonator 10 on the right-hand side. A dielectric rod 25 provided in the space above each of the half-wavelength resonator protrusions (capacity-component adjust parts) 10-a, 10-b, and a dielectric rod 25 provided in the space above each of the respective stubs 11 are not shown in FIG. 9.

EXAMPLE 4

[0093] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing one example or embodiment of a six-stage dual-band band-pass filter according to the present invention, using a microstrip-line structure. Depicted by 12 is a waveguide, and in order to input a signal to/output a signal from a tunable dual-band band-pass filter, a feeder conductor line 13 is disposed along a half-wavelength resonator 10 on the left-hand side. In order to take out a signal, a feeder conductor line 13 is disposed along a half-wavelength resonator 10 on the right-hand side. A dielectric rod 25 provided in the space above each of the half-wavelength resonator protrusions (capacity-component adjust parts) 10-a, 10-b of the half-wavelength resonator 10, and a dielectric rod 25 provided in the space above each of the respective stubs 11 are not depicted in FIG. 10.

[0094] Further, in a figure in the lower part of FIG. 10, there are shown the characteristics of the six-stage dual-band band-pass filter, in the case where the dielectric rod 25 is inserted in the half-wavelength resonator 10, and in the case where the dielectric rod 25 is not inserted in the half-wavelength resonator 10, respectively. It has been confirmed that with the dual-band band-pass filter using the half-wavelength resonator 10 provided with the half-wavelength resonator protrusions (capacity-component adjust parts) 10-a, 10-b, according to the present invention, the center-frequency in the odd-number mode is found considerably shifted.

EXAMPLE 5

[0095] FIG. 11(b) is a plan view showing one example of a dual band resonator constituted according to the present invention. Since a half-wavelength resonator 10 is structured in a stepped impedance structure, shift amount of resonance frequency in the odd-number mode is increased. According to the stepped impedance structure of the half-wavelength resonator 10 is as shown in FIG. 11(b), the line width is thinned at the portion close to the open end and thickened up to a portion close to a connection portion between each stub 11 and each half-wavelength resonator 10, thereby causing the half-wavelength resonator protrusions (capacity-component adjust parts) 10-a, 10-b to be structured in the stepped impedance structures 10-a, 10-b by extending half-wavelength resonator protrusions close to the connection portion between the stub 11 and the half-wavelength resonator 10. With such a configuration, the entire length of the half-wavelength resonator 10 as shown in FIG. 11(b) becomes longer compared with the half-wavelength resonator 10 of the common dual band resonator having no stepped impedance structures 10-a, 10-b shown in FIG. 11(a).

[0096] With respect to this resonator, that is a tunable dual-band resonator characterized in that the dielectric rod 25 circular in cross section is provided in the space above a common half-wavelength resonator 10, frequency characteristics of the resonator was examined on both the case where the dielectric rod 25 circular in cross section is provided in the space above the half-wavelength resonator 10, so as to oppose the plane of the strip conductor 23, and the case where the dielectric rod 25 circular in cross section is not provided.

[0097] In order to check examination results, a simulation was conducted by use of a three-dimensional electromagnetic-field analytical simulator (manufactured by AET Corp.). The resonance frequency of the dual-band resonator was 1.5 GHz in the odd-number mode, and 2.0 GHz in the even-number mode. The dielectric constant of the dielectric rod 25 was 39, and the diameter of the dielectric rod 25 was the same as the width of the dual-band resonator. In this case, the diameter of the dielectric rod 25 was 2.0 mm. Further, the dielectric rod 25 was 20 mm in length. A distance between the dual-band resonator and the dielectric rod 25 was 0.01 mm when the dielectric rod 25 was disposed.

[0098] It is evident from the FIG. 12(b) that a shift width in the odd-number mode of the half-wavelength resonator 10 provided with the stepped impedance structures 10-a, 10-b is increased about 2. 3 times as much as that in the case of the common half-wavelength resonator 10 (FIG. 12(a)) not provided with the stepped impedance structures 10-a, 10-b. Since the frequency in the even-number mode is not shifted in this case, it is evident that the resonance frequency only in the odd-number mode can be independently adjusted.

[0099] With respect to the configuration of the resonator shown in FIG. 11(b), in order to increase the shift amount of the resonance frequency in the odd-mode tuning, protrusions (capacity-component adjust parts) 10-a1, 10-b1 are added. With such an addition of the protrusions, it is possible to use a dielectric rod larger in diameter than the dielectric rod used in FIG. 11(b), the variation amount of the capacity component of the resonator is increased, so that the shift amount of the resonance frequency in the odd-mode is increased.

[0100] In FIG. 14, there is shown frequency characteristics of the resonator on both the case where the dielectric rod 25 circular in cross section is provided and the case dielectric rod 25 circular in cross section is provided. The diameter of the dielectric rod 25 used in this case was 2.5 mm, and is made larger than the dielectric rod 25 by 0.5 mm. From FIG. 14, since the shift amount of the resonance frequency was about 163 MHz, the shift amount of resonance frequency was increased about 3.26 times as much as that in the case of using the common half-wavelength resonator 10 shown in FIG. 11(a). Since the frequency in the even-number mode is not shifted in this case, it is evident that the resonance frequency only in the odd-number mode can be independently adjusted.

EXAMPLE 6

[0101] FIG. 15 is a plan view showing an example of four-stage tunable dual-band band-pass filter having a structure incorporating the dual-band resonator configured by the present invention, each dual-band resonator is provided with the stepped impedance structure and the half-wavelength resonator protrusions (capacity-component adjust parts) 10-a1, 10-b1, and employs a microstrip-line structure. Depicted by 12 is a waveguide, and in order to input a signal to/output a signal from a tunable dual-band band-pass filter, a feeder conductor line 13 is disposed along a half-wavelength resonator 10 on the left-hand side. In order to take out a signal, a feeder conductor line 13 is disposed along a half-wavelength resonator 10 on the right-hand side. There is not shown the dielectric rod 25 provided in the space above the half-wavelength resonator protrusions (capacity-component adjust parts) 10-a1, 10-b1 and another dielectric rod 25 provided in the space above the respective stubs 11.

[0102] Further, with respect to the four-stage tunable dual-band band-pass filter, FIG. 16 shows frequency characteristics of the resonator on both the case where the dielectric rod 25 was inserted in the space above the half-wavelength resonator 10, and the case where the dielectric rod 25 was not inserted.

[0103] It has been confirmed that with the dual-band band-pass filter using the half-wavelength resonator 10 provided with the stepped impedance structures and the half-wavelength resonator protrusions (capacity-component adjust parts) 10-a1, 10-b1, according to the present invention, the center-frequency in the odd-number mode is found considerably shifted.

INDUSTRIAL UTILIZATION

[0104] Since the tunable dual-band resonator and the tunable dual-band band-pass filter using the tunable dual-band resonator can adjust the center-frequencies of each band independently from ach other, and can considerably shift the center frequencies in each odd-number mode, and also can improve the band-pass characteristics, undergoing degeneration after the tuning of the respective center-frequencies, the present invention can be diverted to all sorts of filters used for communication, to thereby contribute to the development of communications fields, and resulting in extremely high industrial utilization.