Narrow-band microstrip bandpass filters with low radiation losses for millimeter-wave applications

Microstrip lines are attractive for the lower millimeter-wave ranges, but use of relatively thick substrates would be desirable in order to minimize losses. On such substrates the usual types of microstrip narrowband bandpass filters (formed from, e.g. coupled line segments with open ends) tend to radiate strongly giving very poor performance. It has been found that a grating technique initially developed for use with dielectric waveguides can be adapted for microstrips to obtain narrowband millimeter-wave microstrip filters with little radiation and strong filter characteristics. The stopbands are broad, the second passband occurring at three times the frequency of the first passband. These filters use parallel-coupled gratings with a single grating in cascade at each end. The modifications to the dielectric waveguide filter theory that are necessary for use with microstrips are detailed. Experimental results from microstrip realizations, which demonstrate their potential for millimeter-wave microstrip applications, are also presented