Narrow bandpass filters using dual-behavior resonators

This paper reports on a new concept of narrow bandpass filters leading to perfectly controlled electrical responses within both the required operating bandwidth and adjacent undesired bands. A specific topology is considered for such a "global synthesis": in comparison with conventional filter performances, it provides significant improvements in terms of rejection control. The attenuated frequencies are each located apart from the bandpass frequencies and controlled by means of n transmission zeros introduced through original dual-behavior resonators (DBRs). These resonators are based on the association of different parallel open-ended stubs and allow the designer to independently control the in-band and out-of-band responses of the filter. A global synthesis approach is also discussed on a simplified architecture based on stepped impedance stubs, and the experimental results shown clearly validate the proposed concept. This simplification reduces the number of degrees of freedom when designing a DBR, and consequently the two transmission zeros become dependent.