Computer-Aided Tuning of Microwave Filters

LCX synthesis and pattern search optimisation techniques are used to construct a very effective algorithm for computer aided tuning of microwave filters. Intercavity couplings and resonator detunings of the short-circuited network under test are worked out from the measurement of the phase of the reflection coefficient. The technique proves to be successful in tuning a 6-pole filter having both elliptic attenuation peaks and group delay equalisation and looks very promising for properly aligning channel filters of manifold multiplexers.